Pathologists request autopsy revival
Article Abstract:
The number of autopsies being performed has declined, mostly because hospitals and insurers do not want to pay for them. Several decades ago, half of all deaths in hospitals were autopsied, compared to under 20% currently. Since 1970, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has not required hospitals to perform a specified percentage of autopsies, which has contributed to the decline in this procedure. Many hospitals do not have autopsy rooms. But autopsies are a valuable medical tool that can be used to detect wrong diagnoses, recognize infectious diseases, and correct procedural and facilities problems in hospitals. The Health Care Financing Administration reimburses for autopsies, however, hospitals may not be paying those funds to the pathologists.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1995
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"Bill of Rights" for patients sent to Clinton
Article Abstract:
A presidential commission on health care has proposed a patients "bill of rights" to President Clinton, which the he plans to introduce as legislation. The commission believes patients have the right to a choice of providers; fair, confidential, participatory care; emergency care; and fair conflict resolution. One commissioner, a business executive, did not support the report because she feared the proposals would intolerably burden small businesses. Republican leaders and business interests shared her concern, and labeled the proposal as a return to Clinton's failed health care plan.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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Put human cloning on hold, say bioethicists
Article Abstract:
The National Bioethics Commission recommends federal legislation to ban the cloning of human children but wants the ban to be potentially reversible. The commission was charged by Pres Clinton to analyze the legal and moral ramifications of human cloning after Scottish researchers successfully cloned a sheep in 1997. The commission believes any federal ban should be reviewed within 3 to 5 years. Pres Clinton has already banned the use of federal funds for research on human cloning. However, many researchers still need to clone human tissues and genes for use in genetic research.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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