Medical Malpractice News and Research

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Medical malpractice claims in and out of hospitals similar: Study

According to latest findings, medical errors do not happen at hospitals alone. They are also seen in the doctor's offices as well. The study reporters note that about half of U.S. malpractice payments - a proxy for medical errors - from 2009 involved patients seen outside of the hospital.

15 Jun 2011

GP’s religious advice sparks controversy

A Family Physician is facing disciplinary hearing for suggesting a patient could find solace in Jesus. Dr. Richard Scott, 50 said yesterday that it was worth the risk if he could ‘make a stand’ for his faith. He was placed under official investigation for talking to a patient about Jesus.

24 May 2011

Majority of opinion leaders strongly support creation of federal health insurance exchange

More than eight of 10 leaders in health and health care policy believe states should be allowed to implement key provisions of the Affordable Care Act early with full federal support, ahead of the timeline outlined in the law.

24 May 2011

Outlook dims for GOP-backed malpractice reform

When it comes to health care policy, there isn't much that brings the two parties together. But at the outset of the 112th Congress, it seemed like medical malpractice reform was one area ripe for bipartisan compromise.

20 May 2011

Viewpoints: Coburn on his dropout; Malpractice reform and states

For the past several months I have been meeting with a small group of senators from both parties, informally known as the Gang of Six, that was designed to force the idle — not gridlocked — Senate, and then the House and the president, to enact a long-term deficit-reduction package.

20 May 2011

State roundup: Med schools in Texas face budget crunch

Patients would have access to detailed histories of Illinois doctors — including whether the physician has been fired, convicted of a crime or made a medical malpractice payment in the past five years — under legislation headed to the governor's desk.

19 May 2011

First Edition: May 18, 2011

Today's news highlights include reports about the latest developments regarding the budget talks and the Senate's "Gang of Six," the continuing political hijinx surrounding Medicare issues, and the Obama administration's plan to offer a new path for accountable care organizations.

18 May 2011

State roundup: Gov. Brown offers revisions to health budget

A new state department would be formed to manage California's violence-plagued mental hospitals under a proposal in the governor's Monday budget revision. The push to create a Department of State Hospitals — and eventually do away with the Department of Mental Health, which now oversees the facilities — comes as lawmakers and employee unions press for changes to address increasing patient assaults on fellow patients and staff.

18 May 2011

NY election may offer view of voters' take on GOP Medicare plan

Just as this New York special congressional election approaches, news outlets analyze how public opinion is breaking in regard to the plan, as included in the budget advanced by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis. Other elected officials are also offering their own responses to the approach.

17 May 2011

Georgia to review Medicaid changes; Calif. judge rules against freeze on payments for disability services

In any other year, a historic overhaul of the Medicaid system would have overshadowed every health issue in the Legislature. But when lawmakers went home early Saturday morning, Medicaid might not have even been the noisiest health-related debate of the 2011 legislative session. Lawmakers passed a nearly $70 billion budget that included deep cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and dozens of other health programs.

11 May 2011

Unscrupulous GP loses case to renew license

An accused Doctor who had sex with five vulnerable patients and thought his actions were allowed has lost a bid to return to medical practice by finally losing his appeal to regain his license.

11 May 2011

House panel set to mark up medical malpractice legislation this week

Meanwhile, in Oregon, GOP lawmakers may be stepping back from their tort reform push.

9 May 2011

Child's death renews medical error debate

News outlets examine efforts to end hospital errors and a different case may challenge laws that protect military medical personnel from medical malpractice lawsuits.

25 Apr 2011

State news: Calif. report faults screening of in-home care providers

Two of the state's largest private medical practices are in talks to merge into a giant doctor-run group that would care for nearly a million Massachusetts patients and significantly escalate the pace of health care consolidation throughout the state. Atrius Health, which runs the Harvard Vanguard system and four other doctors practices, is in advanced talks with Fallon Clinic, the Worcester-based medical group.

22 Apr 2011

Wrong eye operated on by mistake in a 4 year old

Tasha Gaul, mother of 4-year-old Jesse said they had gone to a doctor today to find out if he suffered any permanent damage when a surgeon performed corrective surgery on the wrong eye and then, without consulting the boy's parents, quickly operated on the correct eye. “Right now we're in the dark about what this will be like in the future,” she said. The doctor they saw today told her they will have to wait 5 weeks for his eyes to completely heal before they can determine if there has been any permanent damage.

19 Apr 2011

Colorado: Rural health care gets boost from Service Corps program

In other workforce news, a new law is working its way through the California Senate that would require background checks and "elementary care instruction" for all workers who help out in seniors' homes.

18 Apr 2011

Roundup: Medicaid bill headed for Florida Senate floor; Texas nursing home funding vulnerable in state budget

The Texas Legislature is faced with a budget challenge that has pitted the Republican majority's desire to cut government spending against a vulnerable target: nursing homes.

16 Apr 2011

Roundup: Minn. approves deep health spending cuts; Mass. voters say state health law not working

In a pioneering bid to streamline the state's big health insurance programs, the Legislature's new Republican majority is poised to give thousands of low-income Minnesotans vouchers to buy coverage in the private marketplace.

8 Apr 2011

First Edition: April 7, 2011

Today's headlines include reports that the House Budget Committee yesterday approved the Ryan plan, which includes provisions to reshape Medicare and Medicaid, by a party-line vote. Meanwhile, congressional leaders and the White House seem to be making some progress is talks to reach agreement on current-year spending and avert a government shutdown.

7 Apr 2011

Malpractice liability limits did not hold down doctors' malpractice premiums in California

Insurance reform, not malpractice liability limits, held down doctors' malpractice premiums in California said Consumer Watchdog today before a Congressional hearing on H.R. 5, a bill modeled on California law that would take away the rights of patients injured by medical negligence. Limits on patient rights failed to lower physicians' malpractice premiums, and therefore health costs, in California.