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Department of Justice Reaches Tentative Agreement with Chesapeake Regional Medical Center Over Healthcare Fraud Charges

Department of Justice Reaches Tentative Agreement with Chesapeake Regional Medical Center Over Healthcare Fraud Charges

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a tentative agreement with Chesapeake Regional Medical Center (CRMC) to resolve charges of healthcare fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., and interference with government functions. These charges stem from the actions of former OBGYN Dr. Javaid Perwaiz, who is currently serving a 59-year federal prison sentence for performing medically unnecessary surgeries, including irreversible hysterectomies and improper sterilizations, and defrauding healthcare programs of over $20.3 million. The agreement, which is pending federal judge approval, would allow CRMC to avoid a criminal trial. Under the terms, CRMC must admit to certain facts, appoint an independent monitor to ensure compliance, pay restitution to healthcare benefit programs like Medicaid and Medicare, and establish a $12.8 million fund for patients of Dr. Perwaiz who received procedures at CRMC. This fund is intended to compensate victims for medical procedures or therapy under the Mandatory Victims Restitu...
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Maine Struggles to Increase Arsenic Well Water Testing Among Homeowners

Maine Struggles to Increase Arsenic Well Water Testing Among Homeowners

Maine is facing significant challenges in encouraging homeowners with private wells to test and treat their water for arsenic and other contaminants. As of 2023, only 53% of Mainers on private well water had tested for arsenic, a figure that has shown little improvement since 2014 and falls short of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2020 goal of 65%. Low-income households, specifically those earning below $25,000, are the least likely to have their wells tested. The state has implemented programs through MaineHousing to assist lower-income homeowners with testing and treatment, but these initiatives have served fewer homes than anticipated due to rising costs and evolving treatment criteria. For instance, a $400,000 allocation in 2022, expected to help over 500 homes, has only assisted 57 homeowners in installing filtration systems, with over $385,000 already spent. The average cost for treating a home's well water system has increased from approximately $3,500 in 2022 to between ...
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US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

By Michael Erman and Julie Steenhuysen Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell 0.1% during the 2025-2026 school year, continuing a downward trend that has seen declines every year except one since the onset of COVID-19, according to data from the U.S.
Reuters Reuters
US kindergarten vaccine coverage falls 0.1%, CDC says

US kindergarten vaccine coverage falls 0.1%, CDC says

Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell 0.1% during the 2025-2026 school year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday.
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Tennessee Board of Nursing Maintains Regulatory Oversight for Public Health and Safety

Tennessee Board of Nursing Maintains Regulatory Oversight for Public Health and Safety

The Tennessee Board of Nursing, established in 1911, continues its mission to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by ensuring that all practicing nurses in the state are qualified and licensed. The board's responsibilities encompass licensure, education, and practice. It grants licenses to practical nurses, registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and registered nurse first assistants who meet statutory and regulatory requirements. Only graduates from approved nursing schools are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a prerequisite for licensure. Additionally, the board issues Medication Aide Certificates to nurse aides with specialized training in board-approved medication administration programs, requiring them to pass the Tennessee Medication Aide Certification Examination. Nurses can be licensed by examination or endorsement from another state and must renew their licenses every two years. The board also prescribes minimum curri...
AP News AP News
Maine struggling to get homeowners to test and treat private wells for arsenic

Maine struggling to get homeowners to test and treat private wells for arsenic

Maine officials are trying to get more residents who rely on private wells for water to test for arsenic
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Patient Dies in Fall from Rochester Nursing Home Window Amidst Closure Announcement

Patient Dies in Fall from Rochester Nursing Home Window Amidst Closure Announcement

A patient in his 60s died after falling from a third-floor window at Waterview Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Rochester, New York. The Rochester Police Department responded to the incident around 6:30 a.m. on Monday. Captain Greg Bello stated that first responders found the man on the ground, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have indicated that there were no signs of criminal circumstances surrounding the death. This tragic event occurred less than a week after residents of Waterview Heights were informed that the nursing home would be closing, necessitating their relocation. The facility has reportedly been under scrutiny for several years, leading to its forced closure. Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact 911.
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Virginia Commonwealth University Welcomes New Assistant Dean for Research Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Virginia Commonwealth University Welcomes New Assistant Dean for Research Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Nursing has appointed Professor Heather Tubbs Cooley, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, as a senior faculty member and Assistant Dean for Research. Dr. Tubbs Cooley, an advocate for public education and first-generation college students, brings extensive experience in building research teams and conducting health services research focused on nurse workload and its impact on patient care in pediatric and perinatal settings. Her research has shown that a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse's subjective experience of workload is more predictive of missed care for infants than the nurse-to-patient ratio alone. She emphasizes the urgency of securing new grant applications and diversifying her research portfolio to sustain research operations and support scientific training opportunities for nurses, especially in the current climate of declining numbers of nurse scientists and federal research funding cuts.
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Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Federal law provides a six-month protected enrollment period for Medigap policies when individuals turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more due to health conditions. However, outside this window, most states allow insurers to medically underwrite policies, potentially denying coverage or increasing costs for individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes. Only four states—Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine—offer significant Medigap protections that extend beyond this federal window. Connecticut and New York provide continuous guaranteed access to Medigap. Massachusetts offers broad protections throughout the year, while Maine mandates insurers to offer at least Plan A during an annual guaranteed-issue period. Other states may offer narrower opportunities, such as 'birthday windows' for existing Medigap policyholders, but these generally do not provide unrestricted access for all Medicare Advantage members seeking to switch to a su...
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Washington County Commission Criticizes Prior Administration Over Budget Oversight Amidst Cumulative Losses

Washington County Commission Criticizes Prior Administration Over Budget Oversight Amidst Cumulative Losses

The Washington County Commission in Maine has strongly criticized the prior administration for a lack of management, leadership, and oversight after accepting the 2023 audit, which revealed the county ended that year with a $1.2 million deficit. Finance Director Jenny Windsor, hired in April, reported that the 2023 audit was completed on schedule and confirmed the significant net loss. Windsor also highlighted that audits from 2019 through 2022 consistently showed net losses, indicating a cumulative four-year loss of $2.2 million, which, combined with the 2023 deficit, led to a substantial request of $6.9 million from taxpayers in 2025. Commissioner Billy Howard stated that Windsor's summary demonstrated a clear "lack of management, leadership and oversight for years," while Commission Chair David Burns expressed discomfort with a proposed 40% budget increase for 2027, questioning the county's affordability.
Westchester County Journal News Westchester County Journal News
New York hospitals rank near bottom for patient care

New York hospitals rank near bottom for patient care

New York hospitals rank third worst in the nation for patient experience according to a new analysis of CMS data.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
NY ranks among worst states for hospital patient experience

NY ranks among worst states for hospital patient experience

New York ranked third-worst in the nation for hospital patient experience in a new analysis of CMS patient satisfaction data from 134 hospitals.