Healthcare

New Jersey Doctors’ Strategy Email #1

February 25, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<!-- excerpt --><p>Read here internal emails from New Jersey doctors, outlining their strategy to delay and inconvenience patients to win political points and limit their legal liability.</p>

Consumer groups say damages cap will not lower rates

February 19, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>A cap on damages awarded for pain and suffering in medical malpractice lawsuits likely won't reduce insurance rates for doctors, consumer groups warned state lawmakers Wednesday.</p>

Kaiser Web Site will be just what the doctor ordered — and why;

February 17, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>To settle a consumer rights group's lawsuit, Kaiser Permanente will make its guidelines available online.</h3><p class="source">Los Angeles Times</p> <p>These guidelines, based on scientific evidence about which treatments work and which don't, are the best tools patients have for improving the quality of their medical care.</p>

Medical Malpractice Mess Is One Huge Headache

February 16, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The New York Times</p> <p>The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights showed up in Trenton to say that insurance reforms, not caps on jury awards, were responsible for restraining the growth in medical malpractice fees in California.</p>

Consensus was at a premium;

February 11, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Rep. Greenwood held a hearing on increases in the cost of medical malpractice insurance.</h3><p class="source">Philadelphia Inquirer</p> <p>"Noneconomic damage caps discourage private lawyers from taking legitimate malpractice cases," said Harvey Rosenfield, founder and president of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in California.</p>

National debate continues on nationwide cap on pain and suffering malpractice jury awards

February 10, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio (NPR) Marketplace (6:30PM)</p> <p>... a cap on the non-economic side would have very little impact on the actual premium that a physician pays.</p>

Commentary; Damage Cap Adds Insult to Injuries;

February 10, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>State law cheats less-affluent victims of medical malpractice.</h3><p class="source">The Los Angeles Times</p> <p>In other words, the law generously compensates the rich but turns injured patients who are less well off into victims a second time.</p>

Commentary: Damage Cap Adds Insult to Injuries;

February 10, 2003  ·  Jamie Court

<h3>State law cheats less-affluent victims of medical malpractice.</h3> <p>Any law a jury is not told about is hardly just. And taking away the power of juries to dispense justice to medical victims in our state has resulted only in more victimization.</p>

Proposition 103 Requires Medical Malpractice Insurers to Refund Millions to Doctors

February 9, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>California Department of Insurance News Releases</h3> <p>In order to comply with California insurance reform Prop 103, medical malpractice insurers refunded millions to physicians. These file includes some ogf the original press releases announcing the refunds.</p>

Cause of rises in medical malpractice insurance rates

February 5, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">National Public Radio(NPR) All Things Considered</p> <p>At the rally today there were calls to cap jury awards in certain malpractice cases at $250,000. Those calls echo proposals by members of Congress and President Bush. Others say that's not the answer. NPR's Patricia Neighmond has this report.</p>

Leaving the line of fire; Ex-consumer activist Zelman exits as CAHP chief

February 3, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Modern Healthcare</p> <p>"The CAHP hired a consumer advocate to give them credibility. But Wally didn't have enough stature to give credibility to a group that abuses so many patients," Rosenfield said. "I don't think anyone has that much stature.</p>

GIVE PRESCRIPTION, NOT PLACEBO

February 2, 2003  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The Palm Beach Post</p> <p>Bush, the Governor's panel, Florida's physicians, hospitals and insurance companies omit references to Proposition 103 when touting the effectiveness of noneconomic caps. In fact, nothing about California's experience suggests that limiting jury awards</p>