West Virginia Supreme Court upholds Medical malpractice awards cap

The WEST VIRGINIA Supreme Court of Appeals ruled recently that the state's cap on medical malpractice pain and suffering damages is constitutional. The court approved a lower court's decision to reduce a lawsuit award from $1 million to $500,000, in accord with an amendment enacted by the state legislature in 2003.

MASSACHUSETTS' trial program putting doctors on a per-patient budget has not saved money, according to a state attorney general report, which found that large doctor groups still were able to negotiate larger fees under the so-called "global payment" system.

INDIANA healthcare providers, including 1,700 physicians connected to the Indiana Health Information Exchange, will be able to check patients' immunization records when the group connects with the state immunization and registry program.