Massachusetts suits, White House Influencing Decision on ObamaCare, and Other News
Almost half of all Massachusetts malpractice suits are dropped by the plaintiff – after spending an average of $44,200. HT: Jason Shafrin
White House plan to influence the Supreme Court decision on ObamaCare: a prayer vigil.
Global poverty rates are dropping.
Couple sues health center for ‘wrongful birth’ after child born with Downs syndrome.
The couple’s lawsuit is really interesting.
There will be more lawsuits like this in the future. Women are waiting later and later to have children – raising the risk of genetic anomalies. Genetic tests are becoming much more precise and capably of being administered earlier in a pregnancy. Advocates for people with Downs Syndrome worry that most of the research now being done is about early genetic testing rather than treating the condition of those with the disease.
Prayer vigil????
There was a New York Times article about this type of research a few months ago. Some scientists are looking for drugs to alleviate some of the more sever learning disabilities associated with Downs Syndrome. But, it’s easier to get funding for research on earlier genetic tests than on treating the condition. This is because many experts believe Downs Syndrome will be less prevalent with the discovery of earlier and better tests (i.e. a greater proportion of women will discover their condition sooner and have abortions).
There is good news and bad news about poverty in the research this article reports. Poverty is generally falling worldwide, but the per capita income growth rates of the poorest of the poor countries are no higher than those for higher-income countries — as a result, the poorest countries aren’t making a lot progress.
Let’s hope they don’t have a prayer!
Indeed, poverty rates are falling, but the standard of living in many of those countries is not increasing.