Medical Legislation News and Research

RSS

Medical malpractice system heading for a change

Medical malpractice laws and the system are perceived to be severely flawed. Many patients with legitimate claims never see a dollar of what they are owed, and many doctors who've done nothing wrong are sometimes found liable for enormous settlements. now efforts are being made to correct the situation both for patients and doctors.

28 Feb 2011

AMA supports new bi-partisan bill to reform the medical liability system

The American Medical Association (AMA) sent a letter of support for legislation introduced today, H.R. 5, known as the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2011. The bi-partisan bill, introduced by Representatives Phil Gingrey, M.D. (R-GA), David Scott (D-GA), and Lamar Smith (R-TX) includes reforms intended to repair the broken medical liability system, reduce the growth of health care costs, and preserve patients’ access to medical care.

24 Jan 2011

A ‘tough’ 2011 for Britain’s NHS

The NHS would have a tough year ahead said the NHS Confederation suggesting 2011 could end up being the “toughest year” in the NHS’ 62-year history. The major issues would be the structural reforms from health secretary Andrew Lansley, the difficulty of finding £20 billion of efficiency savings and the uncertainty created by debate over a major piece of healthcare legislation would all contribute to a tough year.

30 Dec 2010

Assaults on Victoria’s heath workers to be punished more severely under new laws

Victoria’s nursing and health care staff are among those most at risk of physical assault from violent patients and families and now the Victorian government has come up with new laws to protect them.

8 Nov 2010

Surrogacy laws put to conscience vote

The New South Wales Parliament will have a conscience vote to decide on a bill that would grant parental rights to couples who have a child through surrogacy.

21 Oct 2010

Victorian abortion clinics ask for exclusion zones

There is a proposal for exclusion zones around Victorian abortion clinics to stop protesters harassing patients and staff.

17 Oct 2010

Abortion verdict out: more debates ensue

In a much talked about Queensland abortion trial, the not guilty verdicts may change legal implications for women who procure their own abortion, according to a medical ethicist.

14 Oct 2010

Vaccine lawsuits – Justices divided

The US Supreme Court is seemingly divided over the lawsuits on childhood vaccines. The Justices acquiesced that the Congress has done its bit to shield vaccine-makers from suits by the few who have had an adverse reaction to a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Now the matter revolves around whether those hurt by vaccines have the right to sue manufacturers if they can prove that a safer version was available.

12 Oct 2010

Stem cell research issues fought out in the court

A US district court has issued a temporary injunction stopping President Obama’s plans to increase funding for human embryonic stem cell research. The US government will appeal. According to a Justice Department spokesman, they are likely to file a case this week.

24 Aug 2010

Anti vaccine group has only a week left to heed to HCCC’s warnings

The New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commission disapproves of the anti vaccination reports from a Bangalow, NSW based Australian Vaccination Network.

13 Jul 2010

Devastating 21% SGR cuts to Medicare disproportionately impact cancer care

Today a group of cancer patients, oncologists, oncology nurses and practice administrators will meet with Members of Congress to speak out about the enormous burden placed by the massive Medicare cuts to U.S. cancer care, and to offer solutions.

24 Jun 2010

Fraud, waste, and abuse

The Congressional Budget Office announcement May 11, 2010, that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) would cost, over the next ten years, $115 Billion more, brings the total cost over $1 Trillion. Imagine—Congress and the President spent a whole year jamming a 2,309 page monster down our throats on the pretense of “eliminating fraud, waste and abuse (in the delivery of medical care) at a lower cost”. This same Congressional Budget Office, using the contrived numbers given by Congress, had previously said Obamacare would REDUCE federal deficits by $143 Billion. I smell FRAUD.

17 May 2010

English language test for foreign doctors in EU “a matter of extreme urgency”

The European commission is working on changing the existing EU laws that allow the free movement of labour especially regarding health care personnel since the regulators have raised the issue of patient safety. The issue here is mandatory English language tests for all foreign doctors working in the UK.

9 Apr 2010

Debate and skepticism over the healthcare reforms

A few years back a law that was meant to cover millions of elderly extending their prescription drug coverage backfired with many who could not access their medicines or were charged more all because of computer generated errors. Administration, industry and consumer groups are gearing up to prevent the same thing from happening after the healthcare bill became law last week.

2 Apr 2010

Verizon charges $970 million due to the health care bill

The recent health care reform bill has shown its impact on corporate tax structure this Thursday when Verizon Communications Inc. a phone company announced it will record a related $970 million non-cash charge in the first quarter.

2 Apr 2010

Genes improperly granted patents

Some time mid last year six breast cancer patients sued reputed Myriad Genetics, a company that holds patent of two vital genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 that play a role in increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The fees that the company charges for these genetic tests is a whopping $3,000 which these women claim they cannot afford and the most important of all these women cannot get a second opinion regarding the tests since no one else does them.

1 Apr 2010

14 Attorney Generals challenge healthcare reform law

In a new development against the healthcare reform law that was signed by the President Barack Obama, 14 state Attorney Generals have filed lawsuits challenging it.

24 Mar 2010

Republicans start assault on new health bill

Almost instantly after the successful passing of the health bill by the Democrats in Congress, the Republicans have started opposing it. In Florida the legal battle is led by Attorney General Bill McCollum, who happens to be a Republican running for governor. In a statement made at a news conference Bill McCollum told the press that a lawsuit would be filed once the health care bill was signed by President Obama and turned into Law.

23 Mar 2010

FDA to have greater tobacco and cigarette control

Starting Tuesday, June 22 the Food and Drug Administration will have far greater control over how tobacco and cigarettes are marketed, distributed and sold. The announcement on Thursday, March 18 was made by Kathleen Sebelius, the US Health and Human Services Secretary.

22 Mar 2010

A new chapter in the history of healthcare reform

The US house of Representatives has voted narrowly to pass a landmark reform that has been on the agenda for quite some time now. The bill passed by 219 votes to 212, with no Republican backing after strong debate. This bill will extend insurance coverage to 32 million more Americans, and marks the biggest change to the US healthcare system in decades.

22 Mar 2010