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Consumer Watchdog

Healthcare

Malpractice Legislation Remains Stuck In the Senate

Malpractice Legislation Remains Stuck In the Senate

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The legislation "would directly benefit Senator Frist's family's hospital chain and insurance company and increase his personal fortune," the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights said in a letter to the Senate Ethics Committee.<br></p>
Frist should recuse himself from debate

Frist should recuse himself from debate

<p class="source">Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tennessee)</p> <p>How can Senator Frist argue legitimately that his own family's extensive holdings in the health care field won't somehow color his judgment? Realistically, he can't.</p>
Senate ethics panel asked to probe Frist

Senate ethics panel asked to probe Frist

<p class="source">UPI - United Press International</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights filed a complaint with the Senate Ethics Committee Monday, asking the panel to investigate the majority leader's potential to benefit personally from legislation being examined by the body Wednesday.</p>
Senate Again Tries Medical Malpractice Bill

Senate Again Tries Medical Malpractice Bill

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Opponents of the bill also filed a complaint against Frist, a heart surgeon, for participating in the debate since his family founded the HCA hospital chain and its subsidiary malpractice insurer, Health Care Indemnity.</p>
Complaint alleges Frist conflict of interest

Complaint alleges Frist conflict of interest

<p class="source">Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)</p> <p>FTCR's complaint states Sen. Frist transferred HCA stock worth between $10 million & $30 million to blind trusts in late December 2000. It states that between $1 million & $2.3 million in HCA stock since has been added, while just under $625,000 in the s</p>
Doctors’ Hospital Bids Raise Ethical Worries;

Doctors’ Hospital Bids Raise Ethical Worries;

<h3>As physicians seek to buy Tenet holdings, critics wonder whether profit would come before patients.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"The concern is that they will close the trauma centers and emergency rooms and turn these hospitals into specialty clinics where they can be assured very lucrative treatments," said Jerry Flanagan, a spokesman for FTCR.</p>
Study Finds Negligent Care Likelier in Outpatient Settings

Study Finds Negligent Care Likelier in Outpatient Settings

<p class="source">Connecticut Post (Bridgeport, CT)</p> <p>Jamie Court, president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif., isn't surprised that more patients are being harmed in outpatient settings, considering the volume and complexity of services provided outside of the hospi</p>