HEALTH CARE
In the continuing meningitis outbreak scandal, today’s NY Times has an expose on how high-powered corporate influence helped drug compounders avoid tighter rules.
Cost of Providing Health Benefits Rises at Lowest Level in 15 Years …. the rest of the story is that the low rate is directly due to employers forcing high-deductible plans on workers.
NOTES ON NURSING
Sutter, HCA Nurses to Strike November 20 At the Sutter hospitals, the walkout is in response to demands by Sutter corporate officials for sweeping reductions in patient care protections and nurses’ contract standards at these hospitals. The strike will involve about 3,300 RNs as well as several hundred respiratory, X-ray, and other technicians.
LABOR UPDATES
49.7 Million Live in Poverty The ranks of America’s poor edged up last year to a high of 49.7 million, based on a new census measure that takes into account medical costs and work-related expenses.
Robin Hood Actions Say “No to Cuts; Tax Wall Street to Spark Recovery” Outside the district office of Rep. Charles Rangel, Robin Hood Tax Campaigners from National Nurses United (NNU) and Health GAP found an engaged audience today. These residents of New York’s Harlem are wondering when the recovery will arrive.