By SCOTT D. SMITH http://www.thewhig.com A shibboleth is a test used to verify one’s origins or allegiances. In biblical times, those who could not pronounce the word’s “sh” sound were identified as outsiders. A shibboleth for Canadian politicians in recent election campaigns has been to profess an unwavering commitment to an exclusively public health-care system. […]

By Scott Bond http://www.gazettetimes.com Each week, our Information and Referral staff talks to hundreds of people by phone as well as those who visit our offices. The questions and requests for help are like a relentless drum beat seeking help. These people need help with medical care, food, clothing, income and care giving assistance for […]

Associated Press http://www.insurancejournal.com The Big Island of Hawaii will soon lose three orthopedic surgeons, leaving the island with only one full-time and one part-time bone surgeon, and none in West Hawaii. Dr. Doug Hiller, president-elect of the Hawaii Medical Association, is among the doctors who are leaving for various reasons, including low insurance reimbursements.

http://www.ama-assn.org Pa. physicians call for medical liability relief Pennsylvania physicians rallied at the state’s Capitol in September urging lawmakers to preserve medical liability insurance relief to avoid access-to-care shortages. The Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error program covers at least 50% of doctors’ required $1 million coverage, in exchange for the physicians committing to […]

By Travis Akin -Illinois Lawsuit Abuse Watch http://www.stclairrecord.com To say that Illinois’ legal climate has improved in recent years is much like saying the accounting practices at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be the standard for the mortgage industry. For the second year in a row, Illinois ranks 46th out of 50 states for […]

By Nathan Benefield http://healthcareblog.spn.org

http://www.marketwatch.com PEARL RIVER, NY, Sep 30, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) — J. M. Woodworth RRG, Inc. (JMW), the Risk Retention Group launched two years ago to provide medical malpractice insurance to physicians and surgeons in New York State, now has capital and surplus of more than $5 million, Sanford Elsass, President/CEO-Underwriting Manager, announced. “With […]

Zack Phillips http://www.businessinsurance.com One of out six liability claims against health care entities is associated with infections, injuries and other conditions acquired at the hospital, according to a new report. The 2008 Hospital Professional Liability and Physician Liability Benchmark Analysis, released Monday, found that hospital-acquired infections, hospital-acquired injuries, objects left in the body after surgery […]

San Antonio Business Journal http://www.bizjournals.com Central Physician Solutions Inc. is entering San Antonio’s medical billing market. The company opened a new office at 1380 Pantheon Gardens in order to specifically help area podiatrists with claims processing, medical billing and practice management. The niche market of podiatry is often overlooked by many medical billing providers, company […]