Congress acts to resuscitate nation's financially ailing trauma care systems

Article Abstract:

The federal government and several state legislatures are hoping to provide critical care to the nation's trauma system. A bill pending in Congress would fund grants to trauma centers that are threatened with closure. Sixty-six trauma centers closed their doors between 1983 and 1989. The increase in drug-related violence has swelled the ranks of trauma center patients, and these patients are often uninsured. Many are young males who do not qualify for Medicaid. In addition, trauma care is expensive, requiring specialized personnel and equipment. The state of Maryland recently enacted a surcharge on motor vehicle registration that would allocate $26 million a year to the state's trauma system. An Illinois state representative has proposed a tax on gun sales. Money for trauma care may be the most cost-effective kind of medical care, because it saves young victims in the prime of their lives.

Economic aspects, Finance, Medical care, Hospitals, Hospital emergency services, Trauma centers

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Terrorists strike again as US Congress considers bills to outlaw attacks on animal research centers

Article Abstract:

The Animal Liberation Front has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Michigan State University mink facility that caused $75,000 to $125,000 in damages and resulted in the loss of 30 years of data. Proponents of legislation pending in Congress to make such attacks a federal crime say this should hasten the bill's passage. Individuals convicted under the law would face up to 20 years in prison and would have to pay for damage to the facility, including destruction of data. A bill closer to passage is the National Institutes of Health Reauthorization Act of 1992, which would protect any research facility funded by the NIH. Many states have laws protecting research facilities, but most treat the act as a misdemeanor, and many organizations behind the attacks are national and even international in scope.

Laws, regulations and rules, Crime, Animal experimentation, Animal rights movement

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WHO considers regulating ads, sale of medical products on Internet

Article Abstract:

The World Health Organization (WHO) is studying the sale of medical products on the Internet. The computer network provides an international market for the sale of drugs and devices, particularly those that are unapproved, ineffective, fraudulent or potentially-harmful. Laws regulating the sale and promotion of medical products differ among countries, and enforcement against Internet offenders is difficult. WHO recommends international collaboration to set guidelines and monitor Internet commerce, and using the Internet to share information to fight questionable medical products.

Drugs, Internet, Marketing, Information services, Dietary supplements

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