skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

SCOTUS skeptical that state abortion bans conflict with federal health care law; Iowa advocates for immigrants push back on Texas-style deportation bill; new hearings, same arguments on both sides for ND pipeline project; clean-air activists to hold "die-in" Friday at LA City Hall.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"Squad" member Summer Lee wins her primary with a pro-peace platform, Biden signs huge foreign aid bills including support for Ukraine and Israel, and the Arizona House repeals an abortion ban as California moves to welcome Arizona doctors.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

Hospitals Battle Medical Equipment Makers Over Critical Repairs

play audio
Play

Friday, July 10, 2020   

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Hospitals struggling with a spike in COVID-19 cases say they're also battling the manufacturers of medical equipment, like ventilators and CT scanners, over who has the right to repair them.

An Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund study claims the current system of manufacturer-only repairs is increasing health-care costs and putting patients' lives at risk.

Nathan Proctor, director of Arizona PIRG's Right to Repair Campaign, says at any given time, almost one-third of ventilators and other devices in hospitals are idle, awaiting repairs.

"This is an issue that does affect Arizonans," says Proctor. "Especially now at the center of a surge in COVID cases, these hospitals are going to need some extra support. "

Proctor says manufacturers often void the warranty if hospitals try to repair their devices, and sometimes take hours or days to complete needed repairs.

Most manufacturers say their policy is designed to ensure patient safety.

Proctor disagrees, pointing out that exclusive contracts can double or triple the repair costs. He cites an incident at one hospital where delayed repairs put a patient's life in jeopardy.

"They had their CT scan go down, and they had a car crash victim come in," says Proctor. "And they could not do a scan to determine whether or not there were internal injuries. So, yes, this is a life-threatening problem."

Two-thirds of the more than 200 biomedical professionals polled by PIRG say the right to repair their own equipment is a major issue in performing their duties. Proctor says it's also a significant driver of health-care costs.

"I think ultimately we, the people," says Proctor "the patients, the American public - are paying for a system which is inefficient and overly expensive."

PIRG's Right to Repair Campaign works with states to ban manufacturer restrictions, but no bill has been filed yet in the Arizona Legislature. Proctor believes that in the pandemic, the FDA and state governors should issue orders to allow qualified staff to repair critical equipment.

Disclosure: Arizona PIRG Education Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Consumer Issues, Energy Policy, Urban Planning/Transportation. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Rep. Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, the House Democratic floor leader, called Missouri politicians "extremist" on social media after they passed the most restrictive abortion ban in the country and defunded Planned Parenthood. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

The Missouri Legislature has approved a law to stop its Medicaid program, known as MO HealthNet, from paying Planned Parenthood for medical services …


Environment

play sound

A round of public testimony wrapped up this week as part of renewed efforts by a company seeking permit approval in North Dakota for an underground pi…

Social Issues

play sound

Air travelers could face fewer obstacles in securing a refund if their flight is canceled or changed under new federal rules announced Wednesday…


The Iowa Movement for Migrant Justice calls Senate File 2340 a "ridiculous stunt," passed in an election year "to mobilize voters using fear and anti-immigrant sentiment." (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Advocates for immigrants are pushing back on a bill signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in the last few days of the legislative session, modeled on a …

Environment

play sound

An environmental group is suing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Arkansas mudalia snail under the Endangered Species Act. In …

Currently, more than 2.7 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well. (MSPhotographic/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Leaders concerned about pollution and climate change are raising awareness about a ballot measure this fall on whether the state should mandate buffer…

play sound

A coalition of climate groups seeking cleaner air at the rail yards and ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will hold a "die-in" rally tomorrow at Los…

Health and Wellness

play sound

By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Magazine.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the YES! Media/Public News …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021