Chemicals used to keep hospitals clean and to treat patients could be harmful to nurses who are exposed to them in their daily duties, according to a study released by the Environmental Working Group and Health Care Without Harm. The chemicals could have long-term effects on nurses' health and the health of their children, according to the research.
The health industry is creating the medFICO score to judge patient's ability to pay their hospital bill. The medFICO score could debut as early as this summer in some hospitals. It is already being questioned by consumer advocacy groups that fear it will be checked before patients are treated.
The Pennsylvania Senate has voted to extend a malpractice insurance subsidy for doctors and hospitals through 2008, but has rejected an effort to divert a surplus from a malpractice reserve fund to pay for adult health insurance.
Phillipsburg, NJ-based Warren Hospital has agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle Medicare fraud claims. Federal prosecutors claimed the hospital was overbilling the government for the treatment of patients whose needs did not meet typical Medicare parameters.
The Washington, DC, City Council has givem initial approval to legislation that would make the District the first jurisdiction in the country to license pharmaceutical sales representatives. The move is a blow to the prescription drug industry, and could have national implications if states follow the Washington, DC's lead.