Here we go, in the very same issue of Newsweek, on-line. This doesn't get into the issue of insurance companies refusing to cover whole areas though.

Tired people make mistakes, and again, in medicine even small mistakes cost MILLIONS of dollars.
Here's an article about that.

Other stuff on the same topic from, ABC, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the SF Gate.

Lastly, an interesting debate...paying for organs...

More on the big meetings in Chicago (annual AMA meeting). One of the big topics of discussion was the current push for/against limits to resident work hours. It's timely considering the editorial in Newsweek this week lamenting the horrible lives of sweatshop workers who have to work 70 hour weeks. All that is being asked for here is an 80-hour 6-day workweek, you'd think people were asking to be paid to stay home.

Honestly, who wants to be seen by a doctor who hasn't slept 4 hours at a clip in over a month and possibly hasn't slept at all in over a day. At least sweatshop workers don't have malpractice insurance premiums higher than their annual salaries, nor the threat of being sued for sums higher than most small nations' GNPs. I'm starting to think I'm definately in the wrong game here. On that same note, I hear there is legislation (proposed, of course by lobbyists for the legal profession) that there be not only no monetary limit to "pain and suffering" damages, but no limit to the relation to the victim. As in, your 9th cousin has a miscarriage and you can then sue the doctor for something like $20 million. Smart.

That logic leads to situations like we have now in New Jersey and other states where, if things don't change, it will not be possible to get a physician to deliver a baby. The choices will be nurse, midwife or taxi driver. Insurance companies are dropping obstetricians wholesale, not because they're screwing up and not because they're losing lawsuits but rather because they MIGHT be sued in the future and damages awards are getting too scary for the insurance companies to ponder.
Anyway, I'll see if I can get some of this linked to more reliable sources to back up my claims.

Oh, and PS, what the heck is up with the officiating in the Italy games in the world cup? Tossing Totti for getting bodychecked by a Korean defender, calling back goals left and right for offsides that weren't and letting the Koreans play a much more physical game while calling a tight one on Italy...why bother with the formality of playing? Just red card the whole Italian team and give the game to Korea.

OK, at the behest of Erik and Joe, here are more postings. I'm back from the oblivion of exams, conferences, meetings and such and it is summer. Quick hockey note, to the chucklehead on the Koalas. Take your own advice and a) LEARN HOW TO SKATE (that was a sweet faceplant there at the end when you had a wide open shot) and b) if you want to play like an idiot, expect people to treat you like one.
Chicago. I was in Chicago this past weekend for meetings and such. Discussing the important issues, like why med students should be required to pay $1000 for the priveledge of hanging out with actors in Philadelphia. (Frankly I can think of better uses for my money.) I saw Lincoln Park, which is a REALLY cool neighborhood. Then again it was 85 degrees and sunny, wonder what I'd be thinking if it were January and windy?