US Health Issues
New York Times prescription for “When the Doctor Is Not Needed”
By Kate Randall, December 19, 2012
In the latest installment of its editorial campaign for sweeping cuts in health care, the Times promotes patient “self care” and “community aides” as substitutes for doctors.
Nurses in California go on two-day strike
By Joseph Santolan, November 23, 2012
On November 20, over 3,000 nurses and hospital tech workers in the California Nurses Association (CNA) Union went on a two-day strike at eight Sutter Health facilities. It is seventh such strike since September 2011.
Massachusetts official fired for ignoring complaints against meningitis-linked pharmacy
By Kate Randall, November 10, 2012
A top Massachusetts official has been fired after ignoring previous complaints against the compounding pharmacy linked to the current fungal meningitis outbreak.
US health officials find mold at facility at center of meningitis outbreak
By Kate Randall, October 29, 2012
FDA investigators found foreign “greenish-black” material in vials of an injectable steroid during a recent inspection of the New England Compounding Center, among other problems.
More contaminated drugs linked to US meningitis outbreak
By Kate Randall, October 17, 2012
The fungal meningitis outbreak continues to widen, as a new report from the FDA warns against other drugs produced by a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy.
Spread of meningitis outbreak exposes lack of drug oversight in US
By Kate Randall, October 13, 2012
The tragic unfolding of the fungal meningitis outbreak is the latest consequence of the shoddy oversight of the drug industry, encouraged by the for-profit health care system.
Deadly meningitis outbreak linked to contaminated steroids
By Kate Randall, October 9, 2012
Eight people have died from a fungal form of meningitis linked to contaminated steroids produced by a Massachusetts compounding pharmacy.
West Nile virus cases set seasonal record
By Ed Hightower, September 1, 2012
According to figures from the CDC, 1,590 cases of West Nile virus had been reported in the US as of August 28, including 66 deaths.
US West Nile virus cases double in one week
By Naomi Spencer, August 27, 2012
Over the past week, documented cases of West Nile virus have doubled across the US, with most cases in the South and Southwest.
Health advocacy group decries Obama administration’s stonewalling on food industry regulation
By Nikolai Barrickman, August 11, 2012
Recent reports have revealed the Obama administration’s hostility to regulations that cut into the profitability of the food industry. The Food Modernization and Safety Act (FMSA), a bill passed in January of 2011 by the Obama administration in response to a string of food recalls, has remained effectively a dead letter on the White House’s budgeting table.
US Supreme Court ruling opens door for states to reject Medicaid expansion
By Kate Randall, July 17, 2012
State governors are seizing on the US Supreme Court ruling on the health care overhaul as an opportunity to opt out of an expansion of Medicaid.
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline fined $3 billion
By Will Morrow, July 5, 2012
Monday’s settlement is the latest in a long list of cases in which pharmaceutical giants have paid cash fines for fraudulent and criminal practices, without anyone being held accountable.
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