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Medical tourism: Maine people and companies go abroad to save on surgery

Alison McKellar — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:45:51 GMT

Medical tourism, a growing travel phenomenon that combines international travel with various medical procedures, is the newest indication that Americans are fed up with expensive medical procedures, inefficient hospitals, and sky-high deductibles from insurance companies. Until recently, Americans have had little recourse and few alternatives when facing high-cost surgeries and penny-pinching insurance companies, but a growing percentage of people have found a new and often favorable solution. U.S. News and World Report estimates that anywhere from 5,000 to 500,000 Americans annually are taking their business elsewhere and heading abroad when they have to pay for costly medical procedures.

Mainers and Maine companies like Hannaford Bros. are among the many patients and companies going beyond borders in pursuit of medical procedures at a fraction of the cost. The AP reports that the Scarborough-based supermarket chain now offers employees the option of getting hip and knee replacements in Singapore, at the National University Hospital. The same procedure that can cost $40,000 to $60,000 in the United States ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 in Singapore.

The savings can be so great and the quality of care so high that even insurance companies have started looking into the possibility of covering oversees medical procedures. David Boucher, an assistant vice president of healthcare services at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina has visited many facilities abroad, and told U.S. News and World Report that he was, “totally amazed not just by the quality of medical care but at the quality of service… the initial driver may be price, but patients’ positive experiences will do a lot to advance the movement.”

However, going outside the country for complicated medical procedures carries with it a whole new set of safety and legal considerations that many people may not anticipate or be prepared to deal with. What happens if someone gets treated abroad and is harmed due to negligence or poor care? Who is responsible? Who do you sue? Who is accountable and who will advocate for you? Oriv Karev, CEO of UnitedHealth Group International, tells U.S. News and World Report that one of the biggest concerns can be getting accurate data and information from hospitals located abroad. It might be extremely difficult to find reliable information on a hospital’s mortality rate or the experience and credentials of an individual surgeon.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Maine schools implement innovative health program

Alison McKellar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:09:00 GMT

As part of an initiative to improve the health of Maine school teachers and staff, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is teaming up with the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust to provide personal health coaching to teachers and staff taking advantage of the health insurance plan offered through the school.

Teachers and staff in Gardiner, Topsham, Hampden, and Readfield will have the opportunity to take part in this two year pilot project which takes a more personalized approach to health care. Participants will first begin an overall appraisal of their health and specific health risks, and after, with the help of the health coach, will work to decide which of these risks most need to change.

Dan Corcoran, President of Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, says "this school wellness pilot project will be a valuable demonstration of an approach to improve health and lower health risk factors that makes the connection between lifestyle choices and overall health."

The project will contract with Occupational Medical Consulting of Leeds, ME, a leading health and wellness company that provides services to Maine businesses, and is scheduled to start this month. It is the first comprehensive health project of its kind in Maine schools.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Can lawyers help stop childhood obesity?

Alison McKellar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:00:00 GMT

In a statement released last week Gov. John Baldacci alerted Mainers to the alarming rate of obesity among Maine kids. According to the governor, 30 percent of Maine youths are either obese or overweight, presenting a major health problem that the state must address. The number of obese or overweight young Mainers has doubled over the past 15 years, ranking Maine as the highest obese/overweight rate of the New England states. But Mainers are not the only ones facing this public health risk. The United States as a whole and many other industrialized nations are grappling with tough questions about public health and the legal issues that accompany the regulation of individual choices about what to eat.

One of the main problems is that, while adults are generally able to weigh the costs and benefits and make their own decisions about what to eat, kids end up at the mercy of whatever they are served by their parents or school lunch program, and it's during this time when lifelong habits are developed.

In a recent paper titled Legal Themes Concerning Obesity Regulation in the United States, the authors highlight the various ways that the FDA, the USDA, school lunch programs, non-profits, parents, kids, lawyers, lawmakers, and corporations are responding to the obesity crisis.

They write:

"Litigation in the pursuit of some sort of compensation for obese consumers is increasingly seen as a viable option in the U.S. Cases have been brought against the food industry claiming that it engaged in deceptive practices, inadequately disclosed health risks, or mislead consumers through its advertisements.... A widely-reported case of persons seeking compensation for obesity-related injuries is Pelman v. McDonald's Corp. In 2002, the parents of two obese minors filed a complaint against McDonald's Corporation in New York State alleging deceptive practices, negligence, and failure to warn consumers of the harms of ingesting food at McDonald's restaurants."

Whether we see healthy eating as a social issue, a personal choice, or a matter of corporate responsibility, most of us can agree that kids, at the very least, deserve the option of eating healthy food and should be educated about how their choices affect their health.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Parents continue insisting on link between vaccinations and autism

Alison McKellar — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:07:00 GMT

This week, the United States Court of Federal Claims began the second hearing in a series of three to determine whether thimerosal, a vaccine additive containing mercury, led to autism in thousands of children.

The New York Times reports that the link between vaccinations and autism has been ruled out by every major study and scientific organization to examine the issue. The most recent of these studies found that removing thimerosal from vaccines did not reduce the number of autism cases in California. Still, parents and other groups, like the National Autism Association, have continued to insist on a connection between the two, and thus, claims are being heard in a special court set up 20 years by Congress to deal with a series of vaccine scares.

Front and center in the case are two boys, William Mead and Jordan King, from Portland, Oregon. According to their attorney, Thomas Powers, the two boys were developing normally until receiving vaccines containing thimerosal, which they contend lead to a buildup of mercury in their brains and subsequent autism.

Those who believe that vaccinations lead to autism argue, like Powers, that certain people may have genes that predispose them to the disease, making them especially vulnerable to the mercury found in thimerosal. The additive has since been removed from the vaccines and over 5000 cases have been brought forward by parents who believe their child’s autism may have been brought on by thimerosal.

A ruling from the court will not be expected until next year.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

B-Series Trucks Recalled By Mazda

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:38:00 GMT

Certain B series trucks from the 1995-1997 and 2001-2003 model years are being recalled by Mazda.

According to the recall, trucks equipped with a Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switch (SCDS) and/or anti-lock brake system (ABS) manufactured on or before December 5, 2002, may encounter a vehicle fire if the switch deteriorates and leaks. The fires can occur even when the engine is not running.

Mazda will begin notifying owners of the recall on November 13, 2009. Consumers will be advised to bring their vehicles to a dealership to have a universal fused jumper harness installed on the cruise control switch, free of charge.

For more information, call Mazda at (800) 222-5500, Option #6. Or visit www.safecar.gov

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Tests Confirm Toxic Substances In Chinese Drywall

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:10:00 GMT

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released test results on May 21 that confirmed toxic materials in Chinese drywall.

Strontium, a highly reactive chemical, was also detected at levels ten times as high as U.S. drywall, as well as two other organic compounds that are generally found in acrylic paint, , according to a press release by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL).

As of May 19, there have been 379 complaints received by The Florida Department of Health. Homeowners with Chinese-made drywall problems have a host of medical problems including headaches, dizziness, bronchitis and irritated eyes. Many of the affected houses have a rotten-egg like smell as well.

Overall, between 60,000 and 100,000 homes nationwide may contain tainted drywall. The EPA will continue testing.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Mainers seek to end the use of food stamps for soda

Alison McKellar — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 08:09:00 GMT

Jonathon Shenkin, the Bangor pediatric dentist and public health advocate who was behind the recent ban on smoking in the car with children is now working on a new initiative to prohibit the use of stamps to buy soda.

It has long been recognized that soda is a major source of tooth decay and obesity among Mainers and Americans and general, and some studies suggest that families who receive government aid through food stamps consume more soda than families who do not.

Shenkin told the Bangor Daily News that he treats many low-income children as young as 3 or 4 that need to have all their baby teeth extracted due to advanced decay. "People have the choice of buying soda with their own money, but taxpayer dollars should only be used for nutritional foods," says Shenkin, whose proposal also includes diet soda.

Opponents of the proposal include the Maine Equal Justice Partners and the Maine Beverage Association. Chris Hastedt, director of MEJP says that low income families should not be singled out for their consumption of soda.

"Poor kids are already so disadvantaged," she tells the Bangor Daily News, "and now we're going to tell them they can't serve soda at a party?"

The Maine beverage industry also opposes the proposal and calls the timing of the bill "suspicious" noting that it comes immediately after the repeal of the beverage tax that would have helped fund the Dirigo Health Program. In March of this year, over 170,000 households took part in the food stamp program, ammounting to over $16 million in purchasing power during March alone.

Current regulations prohibit the use of food stamps for cleaning supplies, paper products, alcohol or tobacco, but allow the purchase of virtually any foods, including soda, candy, chips and other items that many consider junk food.

If the Federal Waiver is approved, Maine would be the first state to ban the purchase of soda with food stamps.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Does Maine need cameras to prevent nursing home abuse?

Alison McKellar — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 07:17:00 GMT

The number of reported cases of elder abuse appear to be on the rise, both by nursing home employees and private home caretakers. Many individuals and some care facilities are turning to hidden surveillance cameras as the only way to ensure their loved one are not mistreated. This video shows shocking footage caught on tape by a woman who set up a camera to monitor the woman she hired to take care of her ninety year old father, and other examples abound of elder abuse.

According to a report put out by the Department of Health and Human Services, last year, more than 90% of nursing homes in the United States were cited for violations of health and safety standards, with for-profit homes being more likely to have problems than other types of facilities. Of the more than 37,000 complaints received by the Department, 39% were substantiated, with deficiencies ranging from improper nutrition and bedsores, to medication mix-ups and physical abuse.

In Western New York, the problem has become so grave that the the state attorney general has launched an investigation which puts hidden cameras in nursing homes to monitor caretakers. The cameras have already lead to the arrest and conviction of 27 nurses, nurses aides, and one nursing home owner.

The cameras are meant to serve as both a way of collecting evidence in abuse cases and a deterrent of future abuse. “I want nursing home operators to know we are using technology as a deterrent. Homes should assume there is a camera in the room,” says Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The difficult thing about elder abuse is that it's difficult to prove because victims are often unable to advocate for themselves. By using cameras, law makers and health workers hope to improve the quality of care throughout the industry and raise public consciousness about the tragic state of care being offered to the elderly population.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Nissan recalls over 200,000 vehicles

Alison McKellar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:33:06 GMT

Nissan Motor Company announced a voluntary recall of over 200,000 vehicles due to a suspected safety defect in some passenger side airbags. The voluntary recall covers 2007 and 2008 Nissan Altima, Altima Coupe, 350Z, Murano and Rogue; and Infiniti G35 Sedan, G37 Coupe and EX35 built from March 12, 2007 to May 27, 2008, the company said in a notice to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nissan reports that it began looking into the problem after receiving several complaints of flashing airbag warning lights, and, after an investigation, the company determined that in some cases, the passenger side airbag may not receive a proper signal in an accident. Nissan believes that less than 1% of vehicles are affected by the defect, but they still plan to begin the recall on November 3rd.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar

Dating is dangerous for women

Alison McKellar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:14:55 GMT

Unfortunately, for women, dating, marrying, and living with men may put them at a greater risk than almost anything else. Maine has seen a devastating rise in homicides this year, and tragically, of the 20 murders reported to date, 14 can be attributed to domestic violence, report State Police. Earlier this year, Mid-Coast Mainers were shocked by the stabbing death of 22 year old Jessica Nichols of Waldoboro, but sadly, Jessica’s case is not uncommon. Domestic violence is the leading cause of death for women ages 15-44 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and murders of Maine women are committed almost exclusively by their boyfriends, spouses, lovers or stalkers.

Pomeroy, 24, of Hope, Maine was indicted last week for intentional or knowing or depraved indifference indifference murder after admitting to killing Jessica. Pomeroy’s engagement to a previous girlfriend had recently been called off, and, according to reports, he told police that he lost his temper when Jessica made a negative comment about his ex-fiancé. Erupting into a state of rage, he hit her over the head with a frying pan before stabbing her repeatedly and putting her body in the trunk of his car.

Cases of domestic violence are prevalent in Maine, and, although they don’t always lead to murder, it’s essential to understand that by tolerating day-to-day domestic violence, we often set the scene for cases such as Jessica’s. When alcohol is combined with hot tempers and a general disrespect toward women, the resulting violence often escalates to new levels.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Alison McKellar