Recent opinions of the Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs.

The text is provided of three Council opinions that were adopted by the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association at its annual meeting in June 1986. "Referral of patients--disclosure of limitations" holds that, if a preferred provider organization or a health maintenance organization contract does not permit referral to a noncontracting specialist or facility when the physician believes that the patient's condition requires such services, the physician should so inform the patient. "Economic incentives and levels of care" emphasizes the obligation of the hospital medical staff to safeguard the quality of patient care while avoiding wasteful practices and unnecessary treatment. "Medical testimony" asserts that the physician has an ethical obligation to assist in the administration of justice, but that the medical witness must not become an advocate in the legal proceeding and must not accept payment that is contingent upon the outcome of litigation.