Doctors may not discriminate against gays and lesbians in medical treatment even if the procedures being sought conflict with physicians' religious beliefs, the California Supreme Court has decided unanimously. A spokesman for the California Medical Association said it opposes "invidious discrimination" and believes it is "not protected by a claim of a religious belief." The spokesman said he did not know what practical effect the decision would have on doctors and stressed that the group has no position on what the outcome of the lawsuit should have been.
Eighteen California hospitals have been fined by the state for violating laws regarding quality care for patients. It marked the fourth time the department has disciplined hospitals since a state law went into effect in 2007 authorizing the agency to fine them for placing patients in serious jeopardy. All hospitals in California are required to comply with state and federal laws to remain accredited.
For the third time in three years, a prominent medical journal has criticized Merck & Co. Inc. for misrepresenting research on its pain reliever Vioxx. The editors of the Annals of Internal Medicine said the journal's findings may point to a broader problem in the pharmaceutical industry. Drug companies have long been suspected of enlisting doctors in trials solely to get doctors in the "habit of prescribing a new drug," the editors said. These are known as "seeding" trials, and the editorial says such trials pay doctors involved in them to consult with the drug company plus a fee for each patient they enroll.
A Philadelphia jury has decided that three emergency-room doctors from Temple University Health System hospitals were negligent in their care of Yanira Montanez, leaving her blind, paralyzed, and brain-damaged. The verdict was for $11.2 million, including $5.9 million for future medical expenses that can be paid over time. In the medical-malpractice suit against ER doctors,two hospitals, and the Temple health system, Montanez's lawyer argued that the doctors failed to order a CT scan of her head despite symptoms that suggested a brain tumor, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, and periodic numbness in her arms, legs, and face for three days prior to her first emergency-room visit.
State Healthcare Advocate Kevin Lembo is considering asking for legislation that would force health insurers in Connecticut to offer individual policies to consumers under 65 who have medical ailments. Under current Connecticut law, insurers can, and do, refuse to sell individual policies to applicants with chronic health issues. At least five states have "guaranteed issue" rules, which require individual policies to be sold regardless of a person's health. Lembo says he's researching the idea and is considering proposing the system for Connecticut in the next legislative session.
A number of "self-care" tools developed by companies including Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. are attempting to help people monitor their own health and receive feedback from caregivers. Uses include supporting preoperative care and the management of chronic conditions. Some healthcare experts said the technologies have the potential to lower costs by making the delivery of services more efficient and by empowering consumers to take a more-active role in their own care.