New White Paper on Privatizing Federal Jobs
The Center for Justice & Democracy has a new White Paper out today on how the current administration is privatizing federal jobs to the detriment of public safety.
Unfortunately, we have all seen the effects from the Walter Reed Medical Center shenanigans–a direct product of corporate takeover.
For a short time, you can read the White Paper here, but read it fast because it will be available to “Members Only’ soon.
Iraq vets sue Federal Government
Our injured veterans coming back from Iraq have filed a class action lawsuit against the United States government, accusing them of breaking the law by not providing disability pay and mental health benefits.
PRESS RELEASE–Progress Seen in 2005 Medical Malpractice Reforms
Hartford - When Connecticut state legislators passed a series of medical malpractice insurance and litigation reforms in 2005 (Public Act 05-275), considerable debate ensued regarding the cause of skyrocketing insurance premiums paid by doctors. While convincing evidence supported the view that insurance company profits and the normal business cycle were the cause of these increased premiums, Connecticut passed a law designed to address the issue.
Two recent reports make clear that, regardless of the cause, both doctor’s insurance premiums and the number of lawsuits have gone down. A recent report by the Connecticut State Department of Insurance released in April 2007, reported that premiums for the top five medical malpractice insurers as declining by 10% from 2005 to 2006. Last week, the Connecticut Judicial Branch released its annual assessment of all cases and case types filed and disposed contains data for the years 1990 through 2007. The average number of medical malpractice case filed in the six years preceding the passage of the 2005 reforms was 378. The average number of cases filed between 2005 and 2007 was 306, after the legislation had passed, with only 288 cases filed during the most recent period 2006-2007.
On June 14, 2005, the Hartford Courant described this measure as taking “…reasonable steps that should become law.” Whether the new law was necessary or helped address a real problem, these recent reports make clear that the situation in Connecticut has improved dramatically.
Additional provisions in the 2005 Act directs judges to review jury awards above $1 million to determine if they are excessive, directs the Department of Public Health to establish guidelines for disciplining incompetent doctors and requires the Department of Insurance to approve rate increases greater than 7.5 percent with a provision allowing for any affected parties to request a public hearing to challenge the proposed rate increase.
Scathing account of lawlessness at Guantanamo
Thomas Sullivan gives readers a first hand glance at Guananamo Bay, its prisoners, and how lawlessness has prevailed.
Department of Insurance releases flawed report on med mal claims
Per statutory guidelines, the Department of Insurance has released their report on medical malpractice closed claims. Some data does appear to be incomplete as some carriers did not report their closed claims, added to the fact that claims that were closed with a settlement do not breakdown damages by economic (e.g. medical expenses, etc.) and non-economic (loss of value of life) categories.
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—John Adams, 1774
