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March 14th, 2008
Monthly Archives: March 2008
March 13th, 2008
Random Notes
“Have you ever patronized a prostitute?” was the question asked of New York’s incoming governor, David (just one “t”) Paterson who is replacing Eliot (just one “l”) Spitzer. The answer is at Capitol Confidential;
A Google seach of “New York State” shows that Paterson is already the Governor, even though he won’t be sworn in for four more days (also via Capitol Confidential); Here’s the screenshot: Who’s The Gov.pdf
A reminder for new New York bloggers: Each Monday Nicole Black at Sui Generis does a round-up of New York blog postings for the last week and on Wednesday a round-up of news stories;
Blawg Review #150 is up at the Trusted Advisor, with a theme of, well, trust;
Marc (with a “c”) Randazza at The Legal Satryicon, in addition to opining on why Frank Zappa would have been a good elected official, adds me to his blogroll, writing:
Turkewitz’ blawg might be a head scratcher. What the heck does a personal injury blawg have to do with my areas of expertise and interest? Nothing. Nevertheless, I find his blawg to be thought provoking as all hell, and frankly quite addictive and detrimental to my billing!
Yikes! Talk about setting a high bar. Marc’s own idiosyncratic blawg — he clearly doesn’t write the way most law professors do — has been added to my blogroll.
Kevin, M.D.’s blogging leads to an op-ed in USA Today, while Anne Reed’s blogging leads to a trip to Japan. Which says something about the power of the blog.
–Eric (with a “c”)
March 12th, 2008
Eliot’s Mess: The Ramifications for Medical Malpractice "Reform" in New York
In case anyone wondered why a personal injury blogger was covering the Eliot Spitzer scandal — aside from the fact that his New York office is two blocks away from me and news helicopters are buzzing overhead as he prepares to resign — it’s because it may have deep ramifications for medical-legal issues here.
Just two days ago, before the scandal broke, I wrote about 1,500 doctors rallying in Albany. I debunked the myths that the New York Medical Society was using to support artificial one-size-fits-all caps on medical malpractice suits in their discussions with elected officials.
Part of the Medical Society press release, which I didn’t discuss at the time, has this quote from Spitzer:
“I look forward to standing with you when we sign these medical liability changes into law.”
So Spitzer, who’s brother is also a neurosurgeon, was an important ally of the physicians in trying to limit patient rights. Victimized patients will not be sorry to see him go if this was the issue that they held most dear to their hearts.
Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga) had this to say about incoming Governor David Paterson, as he set the bar high:
“David Paterson’s life story is, in a word, inspirational. His public record is one of overcoming obstacles, showing true character in the face of daunting adversity and being able to bridge Albany’s bitter partisan divide that has, regrettably, widened into a chasm in recent years.”
“Governor Paterson knows the meaning of honor and has shown in both his deeds and words that he is a man of the highest public and personal integrity. His inherent decency and desire to put advancing the interests of the 18 and a half million New Yorkers we represent ahead of political partisanship will truly be a breath of fresh air.”
Addendum on 3/13/08: Last year, after a 14% medical malpractice insurance hike, Spitzer enacted a medial malpractice liability task force to suggest solutions. It remains to be seen what will happen to it.
More (3/19/08): The National Association of Manufacturers gives its take here: On the Tort Reform Angle, Too Bad about Spitzer
March 12th, 2008
Can Dick Cheney’s Heart Be Hacked?
Vice President Dick Cheney has an implanted cardiac defibrillator. And it now appears that such devices can be hacked.
From an article in today’s Boston Globe (via Dr. Wes):
A new study demonstrates a large gap in the security of implanted devices that help regulate heartbeats and use wireless technology, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the University of Massachusetts, and elsewhere report today.
“With some technical expertise, we were able to retrieve information from the device in an unauthorized fashion,” said Dr. William H. Maisel, senior author of the report. “We were able to send commands to the device in an unauthorized fashion and could reprogram settings and even tell the device to deliver a high-voltage shock.”
So if someone can get information on Cheney’s heart, what exactly will they find?
See also: How to hack a defibrillator (WSJ Health Blog)
March 12th, 2008
Eliot’s Mess: Payments May Total 80K With Use of State Funds for Transport
After I posted yesterday morning that Eliot Spitzer’s problems were likely well beyond the $4,300 of published reports, the New York Daily News reports today said that he may have spent as much as $80,000 on prostitutes, and that the may have used state funds to fly to and from the rendezvous points. The report also states that the liaisons have been found to go back about 18 months.
If true, this adds yet another layer to the hypocrisy of Spitzer, whose office last year went after New York State Senator Joe Bruno, the top Republican in the state, for using state funds (a helicopter) for political business.