Massachusetts lawmakers pass bill that penalizes hospitals that skirt rules for VIP patients

The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a bill last week to punish hospitals that gave "VIP patients" special treatment that skirts health and safety laws, The Boston Globe has reported. The bill was connected to a seven-month stay by a member of the Middle Eastern royalty who was treated by clinicians without the appropriate infection control gear because he found it off-putting, and apparently gave large gratuities to staff in envelopes--both illegal acts. The legislation appears to dovetail with the findings of a recent study indicating that many medical tourists--including those visiting the U.S.--do not have the judgment to make informed decisions about the care they should receive, FierceHealthcare reported. Article