http://www.kaisernetwork.org Summaries of recent developments related to medical malpractice in four states appear below. * Indiana: The rates that physicians pay to participate in the state Patient’s Compensation Fund will decrease by 19.1% next year, and the rates that hospitals pay will decrease by 1.3%, according to the Indiana Department of Insurance, the Indianapolis Star […]

by Steve Berberich | Staff Writer http://www.gazette.net Widespread shortages in many physician specialties can be expected by 2015 in Maryland, especially in rural counties, unless action is taken soon, said a committee of top medical experts in an unpublished report due to the state government next month. ‘‘I think this is just a small piece […]

http://www.pennlive.com BY DAVID WENNER Of The Patriot-News A debate in Pennsylvania focuses on the future of a program that, since 2003, has spent nearly $1 billion to help keep doctors in the state. The Mcare abatement program pays part of doctors’ medical malpractice insurance expenses. Most of the money comes from a cigarette tax. Amid […]

CEO’s college pal funds executive chair Barb Galbincea Plain Dealer Reporter A $5 million donation to the Cleveland Clinic is aimed at supporting continued innovation in health care and saying thank you to a friend. The money is from Buffalo businessman Robert Rich Jr. and his wife, Mindy, also a company executive. Robert Rich was […]

Bill has a number of provisions impacting Medicare, Medicaid and CHIP Late yesterday the Senate passed on a voice vote the Medicare reform legislation from the Finance Committee. The summary of Medicare provisions in the legislation being considered today in the House was released just yesterday by the Senate Finance Committee. The lead provision, which […]

By KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press Writer yahoo.com Physicians will get a six-month reprieve from a 10 percent rate cut when treating Medicare patients under legislation that passed the Senate on Tuesday. The pay cut for doctors had been scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. Doctors had warned that a cut in reimbursement rates would lead […]

By SHANNON DININNY ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER http://seattlepi.nwsource.com As rural areas cry out for more doctors, a hospital that serves workers and their families in Eastern Washington farm country could fall victim to a crackdown on boutique hospitals that cater to the urban rich. Doctors at the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center have spent 67 years mending […]

By Erin Frustaci http://www.fortcollinsnow.com There once was a time when at the first sign of an illness, whether it be a cough, sore throat or fever, a person would dial the family doc to schedule a quick appointment. There wasn’t the hassle or the waiting or the fighting with insurance companies. A lot has changed. […]

Ann Callis knows Madison County’s court system has taken mighty public knocks, from President Bush branding it an example of medical malpractice litigation run amok to a special-interest group calling the venue a “judicial hellhole.” As the county’s chief judge, Callis didn’t let such image-tarnishing depictions drive the reforms she’s pushed. But she’s got new […]