Consumer Watchdog Threatens Patient Safety Ballot Initiative

By Greg Jones, Western Bureau ChiefSACRAMENTO, Calif. − A consumer advocacy group said Thursday the medical community has failed to protect patients from physicians who act like drug dealers, and the California Legislature hasn’t done anything to dissuade dangerous doctors from practicing in the state.If lawmakers don’t act this year to fund the Controlled Substances Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) and eliminate the $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice suits, Consumer Watchdog said it will ask voters to do so directly with a ballot init...