Federal regulators may be on the brink of not only protecting but also advancing patients access and use of a key component of their care: their electronic health records. Or will bureaucrats fold up in the face of a muscle campaign by corporate interests and hospitals? To its credit, the giant Health and Human Services….
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Calif. wins $344M mesh case, but $215M may not settle harmed gymnasts’ suit
The public’s health and safety sometimes find protections in the civil justice system and sometimes under regulators’ threat. Here’s hoping that whatever means are required, just and proper outcomes result. For women, two separate suits have sought a modicum of justice for sexual abuse of talented young gymnasts by a predatory caregiver and damages tied….
Continue ReadingVirginia hospital assailed for seeking court actions to strip patients of decisions on care
A Virginia hospital has found an eyebrow-raising solution to some of its struggles with elderly, poor, and sick patients who take up beds and medical resources that might generate more revenue and less headache for the institution: Administrators hired a law firm and turned to the courts to strip legal control over the frail seniors….
Continue ReadingCan lives be saved with lessons learned from a space pioneer’s botched care?
Neil Armstrong served as a naval aviator, test pilot, federal administrator, and a university professor. He earned his place in history as space pioneer — the first astronaut to walk on the moon. The American hero, who spoke the legendary phrase about “one small step for man and one giant leap for mankind,” also now….
Continue ReadingUCLA ripped for poor handling of another scandal over a staff physician
USC, Ohio State, Michigan State, and now, UCLA: How can big universities, with all the supposedly smart folks who head them, be so blind and deaf to student complaints that school personnel may be sexually abusing them? And why do academics keep getting caught up in situations where they appear to or may be covering….
Continue ReadingYoung people have rampant stress, anxiety & depression, plus trouble getting help from adults
Recent news reports underscore how the nation’s youth are struggling more than had been believed with stress, anxiety, and depression. The New York Times, based on nationwide polling by the respected Pew Research Center, reported that 70 percent of teenagers surveyed cited mental health concerns as a top issue for them. It ranked ahead of….
Continue ReadingOK, you’re sick and hurting. Can’t we still hit you up about donating to our hospital?
Already-admitted patients shouldn’t be flummoxed if they’re moved into a bigger, quieter, and nicer room. There, a fluffy complimentary robe may await them. They may receive a warm welcome from well-attired executives — those senior enough so their pictures may even hang in pictures on the hall walls. And, yes, make no mistake, their nurses….
Continue ReadingProfiteering hospitals hit new low: billing and dunning women for rape tests
Profit-hungry hospitals have dived to some real lows in billing and mistreating patients. Seven New York facilities have gotten slapped down by the state attorney general for breaking the law by charging more than 200 women anywhere from $46 to $2,892 for collecting evidence that the patients may have been raped. New York Attorney General….
Continue ReadingWith these holiday gifts, health-conscious may need to add dose of skepticism
Holiday gift-giving can be expensive, so the health-conscious may wish to exercise skepticism about some potential purchases with dubious or unexpected consequence. If you’re considering forking over more than a few dollars, think twice about: So-called “tall” or “standing” desks. They were supposed to be a response to growing research about workers’ heightened health risks….
Continue ReadingWhy are doctors and hospitals still bungling patients’ records requests?
Uncle Sam more than ever wants it to happen, and patient advocates are pushing hard, too. So, why, when technology can make it easier than ever to do so, must patients struggle still to get easy, convenient, low- or no-cost access to invaluable electronic records about their own health care? Judith Graham, a columnist focusing….
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