Mon Nov 9, 2009

On Today's Show: www.crntalk.com


Stephen Boehrer - "The Purple Culture"
Stephen L. Boehrer was ordained as a priest in Rome. He and his wife live in Wisconsin. What happens when those we trust most commit the most egregious acts of b betrayal? It's a scandal that has sent shockwaves throughout the world. Sexual abuse committed in the place where we-and our children-should be safe: the church.As three bishops stand trial in Federal Court, charged with conspiracy for protecting abusive priests, prosecutor William Goulding and defense attorney James Kobs prepare for the trial of a lifetime.As Goulding presents a litany of damning evidence, Kobs is forced to take an unorthodox route. But Kobs' toughest battle will be persuading the jury. From expert testimony about power, aristocracy, narcissism, and addiction, to the innermost thoughts of the trial's spectators and participants, this extraordinary courtroom drama unfolds as Kobs presents his startling case.An intelligent, provocative story about power and human nature, The Purple Culture is not a book about shame, guilt, finger-pointing, or lurid details. Part legal thriller, part psychological drama, The Purple Culture demystifies the majestic and intriguing traditions of the Roman Catholic faith.

Anthony Tarricone President American Association for Justice (AAJ)
Putting Patients First - Top Myths about Medical Negligence - Preventable medical errors are the sixth largest killer in America, costing billions every year. According to the Institute of Medicine, 98,000 patients die from medical errors- the equivalent of two 737s crashing every day for a whole year. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) has launched a national ad campaign to educate lawmakers about the epidemic of preventable medical errors and how tort law changes will not lower costs or cover the uninsured. There is a misconception that there are too many “frivolous” malpractice lawsuits and that these claims drive up health care costs and doctors’ premiums. There are many cases of medical negligence, not lawsuits since only one in eight people injured by negligence actually file suit. In fact, civil filings have declined eight percent over the last decade, and are less than one percent of the whole civil docket. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the total spent defending claims and compensating victims of medical negligence was just 0.3% of health care costs and empirical research has found that there is little correlation between malpractice payouts and malpractice premiums paid by doctors.As the world's largest trial bar, AAJ works to make sure people have a fair chance to receive justice through the legal system when they are injured by the negligence or misconduct of others—even when it means taking on the most powerful corporations. A managing partner at Kreindler & Kreindler LLP’s office in Boston, Mass., Tarricone represents individuals who have experienced serious injury or death. His areas of practice include aviation, product liability, medical negligence, and other complex personal injury and death cases. Tarricone has fought to ensure that individuals have meaningful legal remedies in state and federal courts when they are harmed by the negligence of others./ What tort reform is and whether that will help the uninsured/Five myths about medical negligence/ Patients’ rights and how to put patients first/ Ways to improve our health care system and reduce medical errors