Charles Ornstein, Author at Pacific Standard

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Social Justice

The Abortion Clinic Dumpster Dive

Garbage has become an unlikely battleground in the abortion debate, as anti-abortion groups seek evidence of privacy violations in clinics’ trash. “Is it a little bit on the sketchy side?” one activist said of such tactics. “Yeah, maybe.”

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

How Private Is Sensitive Abortion Information?

Across the country, those who support abortion rights and those who oppose them are feuding in court over how much information should be disclosed about women undergoing abortions. Supporters say there’s no margin for error. Opponents say it’s about ensuring quality care.

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

‘Stay Far, Far Away’ and Other Things Gleaned From Yelp Health Reviews

In a new partnership with Yelp, ProPublica has been given unprecedented access to the rating site’s 1.3 million reviews of health-care providers. One dental chain attracted 3,000 reviews, the vast majority bad.

Charles Ornstein

News in Brief

Agent Orange Act Was Supposed to Help Vietnam Veterans—But Many Still Don’t Qualify

The 1991 law presumes veterans were exposed to the defoliant if they have certain diseases and “set foot” in Vietnam, but Navy vets and Air Force vets in Thailand say they were also exposed. Here’s our guide to groups seeking Agent Orange benefits.

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

A Major Loophole in the Health-Care Transparency Law: Nurses Don’t Need to Report Their Dealings With Drug Companies

New data on drug and device company payments to doctors largely excludes nurse practitioners and physician assistants, though they play an ever-larger role in health care. One advanced-practice nurse pleaded guilty last month to taking drug company kickbacks.

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

Fraud Still Plagues Medicare’s Prescription Drug Program

Medicare has increased oversight of its prescription drug program but many holes remain, allowing fraud and abuse to proliferate. Questionable practices were found at 1,400 pharmacies, which collectively billed Medicare $2.3 billion in 2014.

Charles Ornstein

Environment

‘Kiss Everybody’: Parents’ Voicemails Preserve Their Memory in Death

One reporter marvels over how the things he cherishes most about his parents aren’t those that he would have ever imagined.

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

The Federal Government Finally Releases Data on Doctors’ Prescribing Patterns

The move follows an investigation showing that Medicare did little to find dangerous prescribing by doctors to seniors and the disabled. It is also part of the government’s new push to bring transparency to taxpayer-supported medical care.

Charles Ornstein

Social Justice

Frustrated by the Theft of Your Health Care Data? You’re Not Alone

One consumer was the victim of hacking attacks on two different health insurers; a company’s privacy officer didn’t realize that health insurer Anthem even had her data. “It gives you a new perspective when you’re actually one of the folks whose data is disclosed.”

Charles Ornstein