legislation
Florida expands patient access to medical records
A Florida state Supreme Court decision has given patients access to medical error and incident reports prepared by providers, overturning legislation that had limited such access. As things stood in... Read more...
Congress targets MD-owned specialty hospitals
For a while new, some key members of Congress have been gearing up to impose new... Read more...
Freeze proposed on Medicare audit program
A federal legislator has proposed legislation that would place a one-year national freeze on Medicare's recovery audit program, which has drawn criticism from many observers for the way it rewards... Read more...
Patients avoid genetic tests, fearing insurer backlash
As FierceHealthcare readers know, researchers soon hope to tailor treatments to patients based on their genetic profile. The thing is, it will be hard to do that if patients are reluctant to take... Read more...
CO targets home healthcare for reforms
Shaken by a report revealing some horrific abuses by home caregivers, state lawmakers in Colorado have filed legislation that would require agencies providing nurses, physical therapists and home... Read more...
Biotechs eager for FDA approval of biogeneric drugs
For years, the biotechnology industry has fought hard against legislative changes that would allow the FDA to approve generic versions of biotech medications. On the opposite side of the ring are a... Read more...
CA bill requires permission for cancellations
A California legislator has introduced a bill which would require health insurers to get permission before they retroactively cancel one of their beneficiaries' coverage. Under the terms of the bill,... Read more...
Physician ratings laws are inevitable
Physician ratings laws are inevitable Nearly every day, it seems, another health plan introduces a physician rating or ranking system--and doctors get angry. While the nuances of the debate vary... Read more...
Trend: Hospitals investing in patient lifting devices
In some cases under threat of legislation, hospitals are increasingly investing in patient-lifting and sliding equipment. Such equipment is helping nurses avoid on-the-job injuries and lowering... Read more...
IL judge throws out state's malpractice caps
An Illinois judge has ruled that the state's 2005 law limiting medical malpractice awards is unconstitutional, in a move likely to trigger a review by the state's Supreme Court. The law, which caps... Read more...
