Healthcare

The Corporate Roots of Medical Errors

January 25, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>Opinon Editorial by Jamie Court</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>This month, the chief lobbyist for the HMO industry pronounced managed-care reform dead in Congress due to a new focus on "patient safety" prompted by a highly publicized report that more people die annually from medical errors than from car crashes, bre</p>

Texas Liability Model Shows Success

January 23, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Texas Senate Bill 386 became law on September 1, 1997 to provide patient protection by assuring that managed care companies are responsible for their health care treatment decisions.</p>

Healthcare Costs Not Hiked By HMO Liability

January 21, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Numerous official studies show liability reform would be both health-enhancing and cost-effective.</p>

Judges Urge ERISA Reform

January 19, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>An unintended loophole in the federal ERISA law prevents patients with private-sector, employer-paid healthcare from recovering damages against HMOs that harm them. The 1987 Pilot life v. Dedeaux decision has tied the hands of federal judges when the</p>

External Review Alone Cannot Help Patients

January 17, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>External review systems are the HMO industry's reform of choice, because they permit bureaucratic maneuvers by HMOs that an ill patient has neither the time nor capacity to defend against.</p>

Kuehl Renews Fight on HMO Arbitration

January 16, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Recorder</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Declaring that a crucial piece of legislation was left out of HMO reform last year, Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, announced Thursday that she will carry a bill banning mandatory binding arbitration clauses in health care contra</p>

HMO Bill Would Ensure Right To Trial Over Disputes

January 16, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SACRAMENTO -- Millions of Californians who are members of HMOs would be assured the right to a court hearing in disputes with their providers under legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica). The Patients Right to Trial Act, p</p>

HMO 3rd Party Review System Fails CA

January 11, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>In California, "independent" external review has proven to be anything but independent, while failing managed care patients.</p>

HMO Patient Self-Defense Kit

January 1, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>From <i>Making a Killing</i> by Jamie Court and Francis Smith</h3>

New Bill Asks For More Clout For Doctors

January 1, 2000  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Sacramento Bee</p>

HMO Patient Self-Defense Kit

January 1, 2000  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>From <i>Making a Killing: HMOs and the Threat to Your Health</i></h3>

Justices Block Bid To Skirt Arbitration In Malpractice Cases

December 3, 1999  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>State High Court Rules That Consumers Can Still Ask Courts To Bar Deceptive Practices But Otherwise Must Honor Agreements To Settle Disputes</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that medical malpractice victims who are bound by arbitration agreements can still go to court to obtain orders that prohibit health care providers from certain deceptive consumer practices.</p>