by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor Texas faces an access to healthcare crisis. Ranking last nationally in healthcare access, a full 132 of the state’s 254 counties have a shortage of primary care physicians, according to federal government calculations, and 202 counties have a shortage of mental healthcare providers. Medical specialists and pharmacies […]

by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor All segments of the insurance industry experience cyclical periods where the availability and cost of coverage rise or fall. When availability is plentiful and premium costs shrink, it is referred to as a “soft market,” and when losses cause insurers to tighten their underwriting standards and premiums […]

by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor Consumer demand for convenience, access and affordability is changing how episodic-care and preventative medicine is delivered in the United States. A novelty 15 years ago, today there are more than 3,000 convenient care clinics in the United States, most located within the nation’s largest big-box retail outlets. […]

by Michael Matray, editor of Medical Liability Monitor Prescription drug abuse is a public health crisis destroying American families and communities at an alarming rate. According to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the number of people who abuse prescription drugs is more than double the number who report using heroin, cocaine […]

During an office visit, patients often look to their physicians for answers as to what ails them.  To help them, physicians look to their patients for answers to their questions.  So, everyone has questions and is looking for answers.  But, how can everyone get their questions answered well and efficiently?  The answer lies in helping […]

According to a 2013 study in BMJ Quality and Safety, it is tough to get accurate numbers about misdiagnosis, though it is estimated to be somewhere between 5-10% of all cases. Yet, despite this startling statistic, a recent article in The New York Times points out that most efforts to address errors in medicine have […]

  When talking about doctor-patient communication, we often focus on bedside manner and teach physicians to give information in an understandable and professional, yet sincere, manner.  But, according to a new study, this might only be half the battle.  While it has been well-established that patients don’t always remember everything they’re told, especially in stressful […]

Cunningham Group, the nation’s largest independent agency representing medical malpractice insurance products, announced today the launch of Healthcare Matters, a new internet television program that explores the intersection of healthcare practice, the business of medicine and the law. Healthcare Matters can be located at https://www.cunninghamgroupins.com/all-md/healthcare-matters. Hosted by Michael Matray—editor of Medical Liability Monitor, the medical […]

Drug prices.  It’s a complicated question. Two cases were recently in the news regarding skyrocketing drug prices that raised many questions. Last month, Rodelis tried to raise the price of TB drug Cycloserine from $500/30 pills to $10,800/30 pills.  And, Turing raised the price of their parasitic infection drug Daraprim from $13.50/pill to $750/pill.  Needless […]