Healthcare

Bill to Require Doctors to Undergo Drug Testing Heads to Ballot

March 24, 2014 · Mark Reback

Emotional families whose loved ones died as a result of medical negligence spoke out Monday and delivered enough signatures to get it on the November ballot <script type="text/javascript" charset="UTF-8" src="http://www.nbclosangeles.com/portableplayer/?cmsID=252126741&videoID=q4Fzf6KwVnQg&origin=nbclosangeles.com&sec=news&subsec=local&width=600&height=360"></script> Families who lost loved ones to medical negligence delivered thousands of signatures on Monday for a ballot measure that would require California doctors to undergo random drug testing.

Drug Testing For Doctors Moves Closer In California

March 24, 2014 · Mark Reback

• May make it to the November ballot • “Doctor drug testing will become a standard all across America, just as it already is for pilots” Californians may be asked when they vote in November to determine if doctors should be tested for drug abuse. The requirement is contained in a proposed initiative for which more than 840,000 signatures have been gathered and submitted for examination.

UnitedHealth To Lift Mail-Order Requirement for HIV/AIDS Meds

March 21, 2014 · Mark Reback

In a move that could set an industry precedent, UnitedHealthcare settled a national class-action lawsuit by agreeing to allow patients with HIV or AIDS to opt out of a requirement to obtain medications by mail order.

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

March 20, 2014 · Jerry Flanagan

<img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2776" alt="" class="right" src="https://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.

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

March 20, 2014 · Mark Reback

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.

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

March 13, 2014 · Mark Reback

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.

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

March 12, 2014 · Mark Reback

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>. ------------

Terrifying

March 7, 2014 · Jamie Court

<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="https://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 <a href="http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/03/01/3798289/accusations-mount-against-fresno.html">filed a whistleblower lawsuit</a>.

Voters May Decide Medical Malpractice Cap

February 18, 2014 · Mark Reback

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. <div id="story-body-text"> SACRAMENTO — A protracted political battle over California's medical malpractice law may be coming to a new front: the voting booth.

Dennis Quaid Calls On Californians To Support Pack Patient Safety Act

January 16, 2014 · Jamie Court

<a href="http://vimeo.com/7577762"><img class=" alignright size-full wp-image-2724" alt="" src="https://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

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>. -----------------

How Does Your Doctor Group Rate? Consumer Reports Has Answers

January 7, 2014 · Mark Reback

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

Fairness for Injured Patients

Medical Board of California Announces Maternal Mortality Task Force

Patient Voices