News in brief - Dec. 6, 2004

Judges put ballot initiatives on hold - Doctors in the House and Senate - Correction

Judges put ballot initiatives on hold

In separate cases, Leon County, Fla., judges have issued temporary restraining orders against two ballot initiatives that voters passed in November. Doctors opposed both measures. The judges said some specifics need to be resolved before the measures can take effect. (See correction.)

One proposes stripping doctors of medical licenses if they have three medial liability judgments or disciplinary actions against them. The other lets patients see records and reports, including peer review documents, connected with "adverse" incidents.

The Florida Hospital Assn., joined by numerous hospitals, filed the suits. The hospitals argue that the measures are too vague. They say it is up to the Florida Legislature to determine issues that are unclear because of the way the amendments are written.

Doctors in the House and Senate

The 109th Congress will include three physicians among its new members. Tom Price, MD (R, Ga.), and John "Joe" Schwarz, MD (R, Mich.), will enter the House next year. Tom Coburn, MD (R, Okla.), who served in the House between 1995 and 2001, will join Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, MD (R, Tenn.), as the only other physician in the Senate. The House also will welcome back four physicians re-elected on Nov. 2: Reps. Phil Gingrey, MD (R, Ga.); Jim McDermott, MD (D, Wash.); Vic Snyder, MD (D, Ark.); and David Weldon, MD (R, Fla.).

Correction

A Florida judge in December 2004 refused to issue a temporary restraining order against a state constitutional amendment that says hospitals need to release reports related to “adverse incidents,” including peer review. An item on this page contained incorrect information. AMNews apologizes for the error.