Healthcare

Consumer group files complaint against Frist because of HCA ties

April 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Gannett News Service</p> <p>FTCR said HCA, Inc., the Nashville-based hospital chain founded by Frist's father and older brother, and its malpractice insurance subsidiary would benefit financially from Frist-backed legislation to limit liability to $250,000 for trauma centers, gynec</p>

Doctors’ Hospital Bids Raise Ethical Worries;

April 5, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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

April 3, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<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>

Patients’ Right to Sue HMOs Before High Court;

March 24, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>The White House wants a Texas healthcare law, signed by then-Gov. Bush, to be voided.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>"There's only been a few cases. But we passed it as a hammer to hold over the heads of the HMOs," said Jamie Court, president of FTCR in Santa Monica. "If the court goes the wrong way, it will be a real setback for patients' rights."</p>

LA councilman and consumer group examining plans to lower drug costs for locals

March 18, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>One possible model would establish a nonprofit entity to buy the drugs in large quantities from independent wholesalers, said Jerry Flanagan, health care director for FTCR, which is working with the councilman.</p>

House hears testimony on malpractice bill

March 12, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Lexington Herald Leader (Kentucky)</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield testified that a different bill, Proposition 103, and not MICRA, was responsible for stabilizing malpractice premiums in California. He presented a chart showing that premiums continued to rise after MICRA was enacted in 1975</p>

Web sites that blacklist patients who have filed medical malpractice lawsuits

March 10, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio (NPR) - Talk of the Nation</p> <p>Jamie Court (FTCR): "If someone was an innocent victim of medical negligence and filed a case--doesn't matter if they won, lost, whatever--that doctors could then look them up on DoctorsKnow.Us and not treat them."</p>

Critics fear patient blacklist;

March 6, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>DOCTORS CAN TRACK LAWSUITS AT SITE</h3><p class="source">San Jose Mercury News (California)</p> <p>"What's to prevent doctors from using the database to deny patients medical care?", asked Doug Heller of the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights, which along with a similar group, Texas Watch, condemned the site Friday.</p>

Universal coverage backed;

March 4, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Report finds varied reasons for high cost</h3><p class="source">The San Francisco Chronicle</p> <p>While participants disagree on potential solutions, there is general consensus that the health care system needs more financial transparency - people need to know how much health care services cost, and the profits and overhead of the companies providing</p>

Frist family business

February 29, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Tennessean</p> <p>FTCR, a consumer group, went after Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist on the malpractice insurance issue last week, saying it created a conflict of interest for the surgeon from Nashville.</p>

BOOK REVIEW; An economist prescribes ‘Strong Medicine’;

February 25, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>The problem is that Cutler wrote the book for the system's engineers, not for its travelers. A player in Bill Clinton's healthcare reform efforts, Cutler has insight to offer reformers, but less to give to average families trying to deal with their health</p>

Tenet sale may lead to mandate of incentives for buyers

February 23, 2004  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Los Angeles Business Journal</p> <p>"The likely people who will take over these hospitals are non-profits. I am interested in what is the biggest obstacle in keeping them open," said Jerry Flanagan, of the Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights.</p>