Healthcare

United, HIV/AIDS Patients Settle Mail-Order Drug Dispute

March 20, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Law360, Los Angeles (March 20, 2014, 4:23 PM ET) -- United Healthcare Insurance Co. has agreed to settle a proposed class action brought by consumers who suffer from HIV/AIDS and say the company’s plan forced them to obtain medications through a mail-order pharmacy in a discriminatory move, according to documents filed in California federal court on Wednesday.<br /> <br />

United Healthcare To Allow HIV/AIDS Patients to “Opt-Out” of Mail-Order Rx

March 20, 2014  ·  Jerry Flanagan

<p><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2776" alt="" class="right" src="http://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/images_rxmarketing.jpg" style="width: 211px; height: 143px; margin-left: 7px; margin-right: 7px; float: right;" width="430" height="292" />Santa Monica, CA - United Healthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, will allow patients with HIV or AIDS to “opt-out” of a requirement that they obtain their medications by mail-order under a national class action settlement announced today by Consumer Watchdog and Whatley Kallas, LLP.  <br /> <br />

Jahi McMath: Family Calls State Report ‘B.S.’; New Medical Record Details Emerge

March 13, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p class="bodytext"><span id="mn_Global"><span id="MNGiSection">The family of Jahi McMath and their attorney lashed out Thursday at a state report concluding that Children's Hospital Oakland complied with medical regulatory standards in its handling of the young girl's case.</span></span></p>

Op-Ed Commentary: Why Aren’t Doctors Drug Tested?

March 12, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The following Op-Ed commentary was published <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/13/opinion/why-arent-doctors-drug-tested.html">Wednesday, March 12, 2014 in The New York Times</a>.</p> <p>------------</p>

Terrifying

March 7, 2014  ·  Jamie Court

<p><a href="http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/6563/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=9281"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2749" alt="" src="http://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/images_firedrchaudhrysidebar.jpg" style="width: 175px; height: 396px; float: right; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px;" width="175" height="396" /></a>It's unbelievable.  A heart surgeon, who is practicing today, has a history of walking out on patients in the middle of open heart surgeries, according to a hospital administrator who <strong><a href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/03/01/3798289/accusations-mount-against-fresno.html">filed a whistleblower lawsuit</a></strong>.

Voters May Decide Medical Malpractice Cap

February 18, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><b>Lawyers and consumer groups are getting signatures for a ballot measure to increase 1975's pain and suffering limit of $250,000. Doctors and insurers have already raised $33 million to fight it.</b></p> <div id="story-body-text"> <p>SACRAMENTO — A protracted political battle over California's medical malpractice law may be coming to a new front: the voting booth.</p>

Dennis Quaid Calls On Californians To Support Pack Patient Safety Act

January 16, 2014  ·  Jamie Court

<p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7577762"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2724" alt="" src="http://consumerwatchdog.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/images_img_5072z_small.jpg" style="width: 150px; height: 225px; float: right; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" width="400" height="600" /></a>“We were lucky to have a happy ending,” actor Dennis Quaid <a href="http://vimeo.com/7577762">told</a> a crowd at Consumer Watchdog’s <a href="http://vimeo.com/7577762">Rage for Justice Awards</a> in 2009. He was talking about the near-fatal overdose that his twins experienced at birth.

Another View: Patient and Consumer Initiatives Will Save Lives and Money

January 12, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>The following Op-Ed Commentary was published in <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/12/6061040/another-view-patient-and-consumer.html">the Sacramento Bee on Sunday, January 12, 2014</a>.</p> <p>-----------------</p>

How Does Your Doctor Group Rate? Consumer Reports Has Answers

January 7, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Every year, thousands of patients around California fill out surveys, answering basic questions about their experiences with their doctors.</p> <p>Did he or she communicate well with the patient, explaining information and treatment options in a way that's easy to understand?</p> <p>Were you able to see the doctor within 15 minutes of your scheduled appointment time?</p> <p>Was the doctor's staff courteous and respectful?</p>

Gene Patent Case Fuels U.S. Court Test of Stem Cell Right

January 6, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div class="clearfix" id="story_content"> <p>As scientists get closer to using embryonic stem cells in new treatments for blindness, spinal cord injuries and heart disease, a U.S. legal debate could determine who profits from that research.</p>

Op-Ed Commentary: Hospital Incentive To Bury Mistakes Must Be Rectified

January 6, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<div id="text-pages"> <div class="page" style="display: block;"> <p>The following Op-Ed commentary was published in the <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Hospital-incentive-to-bury-mistakes-must-be-5115986.php">San Francisco Chronicle on Monday, January 6, 2014</a>.</p> <p>--------------</p>

Jahi McMath Case Is Rife With Tragedy And Politics

January 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><i>JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Should damages for pain and suffering in a medical malpractice case be capped at $250,000? To write a letter, go to <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/sendletter">sacbee.com/sendletter</a>. Or comment on our Facebook page at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sacramentobee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">facebook.com/sacramentobee</a>.</i></p> <p>Jahi McMath could be any parent’s daughter.</p>