WHAT'S MISSING IN THE PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS?
With the Patient's Bill of Rights up for debate right now, it is important that all the issues be brought to the forefront for the benefit all all this bill will affect.
Christi Welter (PRWEB) August 2, 2001 -
For Immediate Release Contact:9758
cgwelter@aol. com
What's Missing in the Patients' Bill of Rights Debate?
Physician's Book "Saving the Soul of Medicine" Describes
Pain and Confusion of Patients and Insiders
Timely Book Delineates Devastation of the Health Care Infrastructure
SAN JOSE, Calif. - July 25, 2001 - As the House of Representatives
Prepares to debate the Patients' Bill of Rights and the pros and cons of
Patients being able to sue their health plans, a significant part of the
Story remains untold. "Saving the Soul of Medicine," written by Dr. Margaret
Mahony, and now in its second printing, offers a variety of essays which
Delineate the devastation of the health care infrastructure.
"Saving the Soul of Medicine" presents real stories and viewpoints of
Patient neglect and confusion, as well as managed care's impact on countless
Numbers of physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals who are,
In increasing numbers, exiting the medical field.
"As the House of Representatives begins its debate, we also need to be
Aware that we are on the verge of serious nationwide shortages that will
Negatively impact quality of care profoundly," says Dr. Mahony. "What good
Will it do to be able to sue our health plans if there are not enough doctors
And nurses left to take care of us when we need them?" she asks.
She points to a breaking news story some months ago when California's
KNTV News Channel 11 reported that the well-known and respected Stanford
University Hospital was forced to divert patients to other hospitals for nine
Hours. This incident once more stretched other Bay Area hospitals, many of
Which have also been forced to turn away patients. According to KNTV,
Hospital officials warned that this wasn't just the result of too many sick
People, but was one end result of a massive shortage of nurses and doctors in
The Bay Area. Dr. Mahony believes California has reached a crisis stage. She
Expects other areas of the country to follow.
Stories about the health care crisis are mounting daily, including the
Challenging commentaries in the February 21st issue of the Wall Street
Journal, which featured a 12-page Health and Medicine Report, "Can the System
Be Fixed?" Dr. Mahony hopes the system can be fixed, but believes it must happen soon. She is calling for a
"time out for managed care," and believes the whole system should be
Radically overhauled.
Over recent months, Dr. Mahony has continued to be interviewed and her
Book has been featured on many talk shows around the country. She is also a frequent
Lecturer at various business, professional, and university organizations. For several
Months, she hosted a news series on "Women's Health" on Phoenix Arizona's KFNX radio.
This spring her Opinion piece appeared in the San Jose Mercury News. A
Well-known health care activist, she was one of the leaders in the national
Rescue Health Care Day last spring. A video of her participation is available.
A gynecologist in private practice, Dr. Mahony can be reached at (408)
286-0863.
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