Rep. Smith reintroduces bill to patient protection bill
State Rep. Ken Smith has again introduced legislation that would further protect patients in assisted living and long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania.
Seven states file suit to block Bush administration’s “healthcare provider conscience” rule
Seven states, along with several national patient advocacy groups, are suing the Bush administration over the new healthcare provider “conscience rule.” Pittsburgh family planning group Adagio Health is among the groups voicing their opposition to the rule.
Coca-Cola sued by groups who say that the company makes false health claims about VitaminWater
“The idea that you can improve your immunity by drinking one of these VitaminWater drinks is nonsense,” said a senior nutritionist with one of the nonprofit groups involved in the lawsuit.
National healthcare reform group has opened a Northeast PA chapter
A new local chapter of a grass-roots health care reform group outlined its goals Monday for lawmakers to immediately begin fulfilling campaign promises to give all Americans quality health insurance, reports the Times-Tribune.
Medicare rule change aims to cut drug prices
The federal agency that manages Medicare says it has finalized a rule meant to curb an industry practice that has inflated drug costs for some patients with Medicare drug coverage, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Disappointment abounds with Bush admin’s last-minute regulation limiting patient care
Healthcare organizations,rulemakers, and citizens across the country are voicing their opposition to the Bush administration’s new healthcare regulation.
New York Times: Cancer patients often not told that they can receive better care elsewhere
In a column published today in the New York Times, writer Denise Grady tells the story of a relative who survived rectal cancer to illustrate the fact that the quality of cancer care can vary widely from one hospital to the next. In the process, she discusses the ethics of doctors telling patients the truth about the type of care they are able to receive.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editors welcome controversial new nursing home ratings system
The new ratings systems for nursing homes recently instituted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is drawing criticism from both the nursing home industry and other medical professional groups. But while the system does have its problems, say the editors of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it is a giant step in the right direction.
Phila. Daily News: Bush threatening unconscionable health regulations
Today the Philadelphia Daily News editorializes on the “provider conscience regulations” that the Bush administration is trying to push through at the last minute.
Del. Co. Daily Times: We need to fix funding for mental health advocacy groups
Yesterday, the Delaware County Daily Times featured an editorial stressing the need for a fix for state advocacy groups that benefit mentally and physically disabled children.