Stark regrets creation of “Stark laws”

Forbes’ The Science Business blog has an interesting interview with Congressman Fortney “Peteâ€? Stark (D-Calif.).  Mr. Stark was the legislator responsible for the creation of the Stark laws banning self referrals by doctors to facilities in which they had an ownership interest.  For instance, the law means that “a doctor can’t refer a patient to…

Privacy

I recently received an email from the Patient Privacy Rights organization. They are conducting a campaign to protect the privacy of individual’s prescription drug information. According to their website, a Newsday article reports the following: Randee Lonergan filled her prescriptions at the same pharmacy for years. But a month ago she was shocked to find…

Too fat to work

The incapacity benefit system in the UK is intended to provide an income support for those unable to work.  Like any government program, many of the beneficiaries are in dire need of the money and are truly unable to work, but many other individuals who are able–but not inclined–to work have taken advantage of government…

The Nanny State: Clean your room!

Libertarians often complain that the government intrudes too much in our lives.  Nanny State, a book by Denver Post columnist David Harsanyi, claims that the government is regulating what we do to an extent that it is becoming a surrogate parent.  “Why are we allowing politicians, bureaucrats, and social activists to dictate what we eat,…

China Health News

Here is some of the latest health news concerning China: The Gates Foundation donated $50m to fight HIV in China (Houston Chronicle). Diabetes rates in China are increasing (ChinaView). China’s use of coal plants is creating pollution problems in Japan, South Korea, and even the U.S. (CNN)

Wednesday Reading

Here’s some interesting reading to cure your mid-week blues: Joe Paduda in “Dumber than a box of rocks” references a FierceHealthcare article which finds that HealthNet actually paid bonuses to staff based on how many claimant policies they could terminate. This cost-saving may backfire since one patient is suing HealthNet for $6 million. The L.A.…

The Perils of Petrocracy

Can a state run petroleum company be as efficient as a private sector company? The answer is a resounding, “yes but…” It is possible that state-run petroleum companies can be efficient as long as they stick to the business of producing oil. Yet Tina Rosenberg’s “The Perils of Petrocracy” article in the N.Y. Times Sunday…

San Diego Wildfires from a San Diego Resident

As most of you know who have been reading the news, the wildfires in San Diego, my home, have been causing much devastation. According to San Diego’s NPR station KPBS, an “estimated 245,000 acres burned and 1200 homes destroyed in San Diego County” (reported as of 10:09am Pacific time). Over 250,000 individuals have been evacuated…