Patients at Risk

In our book, we outline the tragic case of Alexus Ochoa, a 19-year-old woman who died when a nurse practitioner failed to properly diagnose and treat the blood clot in her lungs.  The only reason that the details of this case became public was because of a lawsuit filed by the patient’s family. Court records reveal not only a lack of appropriate medical care, but more importantly, the incredible efforts that Mercy Health Systems, a multi-billion-dollar corporation, routinely went through to hire and credential nurse practitioners to work in positions completely outside of their scope of practice, putting patients at risk to save money and increase profits. Today we talk with attorney Robert Painter about the role of the legal system in holding bad actors like this accountable.  Mr. Painter is a former hospital administrator who is now a medical malpractice and wrongful death lawyer at Painter Law Firm in Houston, Texas. https://painterfirm.com/Get the book! Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is a lack of transparency when it comes to the training and licensure of healthcare professionals. As members of the healthcare team have taken an increased role in providing medical care, patients may be treated by physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other healthcare practitioners, and understanding who is who can be difficult.  In fact, an AMA study found that only 55%  of respondents thought it was easy to identify who is a licensed physician. Moreover, 79% of respondents said that they would support legislation to require that patients be informed of the level of education, skills, and training of all health care professionals. Fortunately, some states are taking action to ensure truth and transparency among healthcare practitioners, with New Jersey leading the way.  Today we are joined by two special guests to discuss the New Jersey Health Care Transparency Act, which was passed in 2020: Marlene  Kalayilparampil, MHA, FHELA is the manager of government relations for the Medical Society of New Jersey, and Dr. Flowers is a practicing physician in New Jersey. Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/https://www.ama-assn.org/sites/ama-assn.org/files/corp/media-browser/premium/arc/tia-survey_0.pdfPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

There is an increasing double standard in the practice of medicine and the practice of advanced nursing, and one of these is the difference in ‘board certification.’  Nurse practitioners take just one board examination in the course of their career, which is 3 hours long and 200 questions. Nurse practitioners never have to take another exam – they just have to submit their work hours, which can even be volunteer hours. In contrast, physician board exams are most more rigorous, lasting 9-10 hours or more, and must be repeated every 7-10 years. In 2015 the American Board of Medical Specialties added another layer to the process, requiring that physicians participate in a continuous “Maintenance of Certification” (or MOC) process to maintain board certification. Many physicians balked at the increased burden and cost of this MOC process, and grassroots organizations even sprung up to provide alternate pathways to make it easier for physicians to practice medicine. Today we are talking with Dr. Paul Mathew, a neurologist and a board member of the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Get the book 'Patients at Risk:" https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/Join PPP: https://physiciansforpatientprotection.orgCertify with the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons: https://nbpas.orgPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Seven-year-old Betty died just 15 hours after she was evaluated by a pediatric nurse practitioner in a pediatric urgent care without any physician on site.  Betty's father, Jeremy Wattenbarger discusses the efforts he has made to seek accountability and ensure that other children receive physician-led care.Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

Many of our critics accuse us of exaggerating the risks that patients face when physicians are replaced by lesser trained members of the healthcare team.  We are often told that we are engaging in a ‘turf war’ with nurse practitioners and physician assistants and that we should support these nonphysicians practicing ‘to the full extent of their license and training. ’  Today we are going to explain exactly why we take such a hardline stance against the independent practice by nonphysicians. It’s not because of a turf war - it’s because of patients like seven-year of Betty Wattenbarger, who died after a pediatric nurse practitioner failed to diagnose her with pneumonia and sepsis, an overwhelming blood infection.  Betty’s father, Jeremy, is on a crusade to ensure that other parents do not lose their children because of a lack of access to care by a properly trained physician. Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

In part 2 of our discussion about healthcare politics,  Dr. Kermit Jones, a California internal medicine physician, attorney, and military veteran discusses his run for California's 4th Congressional District.Learn more about Dr. Jones at his website - https://kermitjonesmdjd.com/Donate to Dr. Jones' political campaign here - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kermitjonesforcongress2Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/Physicians: Join us at htpps://Physiciansfor PatientProtection.org.PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

More than ever, healthcare and politics are intertwined. Decisions made by politicians and have a major impact on not only healthcare policy, but on the day-to-day practice of medicine by physicians. Today we are excited to be talking about healthcare politics with Dr. Kermit Jones, a California internal medicine physician, attorney, and military veteran who is working to bring his medical expertise into the political arena. Learn more about Dr. Jones at his website - https://kermitjonesmdjd.com/Donate to Dr. Jones' political campaign here - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kermitjonesforcongress2 Get the book! https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/Physicians: Join Physicians for Patient Protection - https://physiciansforpatientprotection.orgPhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

In part 2 of this discussion with Dr. Marion Mass, a pediatrician and the co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America, we learn about the impact of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) on the high cost of healthcare.  In 1987, the federal legislature granted GPOs safe harbor from anti-kickback statutes, allowing them to reap millions of dollars. Dr Mass also explains how these GPOs have created artificial shortages in essential medical supplies, leading to patient and clinician harm.Practicing Physicians of America: https://practicingphysician.org/Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

We all know that the health care system in the United States is expensive, with the U.S. spending more than any other developed nation. Although it’s convenient to scapegoat doctors as the reason for high medical costs, the truth is that physician compensation makes up just 20% of total health spending.  So, who is really responsible for the astronomical cost of health care today? To get some answers, we are joined by Dr. Marion Mass, a pediatrician and the co-founder of Practicing Physicians of America.  In part 1 of this series, Dr. Mass explains how Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have benefited from safe harbor from anti-kickback statues, allowing them to reap millions of dollars and increasing drug costs for Americans.Practicing Physicians of America: https://practicingphysician.org/Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org

On our last podcast, advocacy experts Dr. Purvi Parikh and Linda Lambert discussed steps that physicians can take to advocate for their patients and for the profession of medicine. In part 2, we learn from the legislative successes of the nursing profession.   We discuss how to write a resolution for your medical society to help influence policy, and how advocacy can be a solution to burnout.Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Patients-Risk-Practitioner-Physician-Healthcare/dp/1627343164/PhysiciansForPatientProtection.org