August 2014 Archive
Federal Investigators Crack Down on Two Virginia Schools’ Use of Restraints
Investigators found that children were being regularly pinned down or isolated and that their education was suffering as a result.
Toxic Tobacco Bonds and More in Muckreads Weekly
Some of the best #MuckReads we read this week. Want to receive these by email? Sign up to get this briefing delivered to your inbox every weekend.
Leaked Docs Show Spyware Used to Snoop on U.S. Computers
Software created by the controversial U.K. based Gamma Group International was used to spy on computers that appear to be located in the United States.
Tobacco Bonds May Be Dangerous to Your State's Financial Health
After a bruising legal fight, tobacco companies agreed in 1998 to compensate 46 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories for the health-related costs of smoking. Wall Street helped turn their annual payments into upfront cash by selling bonds to investors. Some of the deals included a form of high-risk debt, capital appreciation bonds, which obligated governments to pay out billions of their tobacco income in the future.
How Wall Street Tobacco Deals Left States With Billions in Toxic Debt
Politicians wanted upfront cash from a legal victory over Big Tobacco, and bankers happily obliged. The price? A handful of states promised to repay $64 billion on just $3 billion advanced.
Senators Push For Investigation of USA Discounters’ ‘Aggressive’ Tactics
The Defense Department and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are urged to see whether service members are able to defend themselves against lawsuits while on active duty.
Suspicious Prescriptions for HIV Drugs Abound in Medicare
The inspector general of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finds Medicare spent tens of millions of dollars in 2012 for HIV drugs there’s little evidence patients needed. A 77-year-old woman with no record of HIV got $33,500 of medication.
When Freedom Summer Landed in White America’s Living Rooms
An iconic civil rights print hung in one rural Maine home and helped shape a family’s commitment to justice.
Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants' Pockets
Move America Forward has collected millions to send care packages to U.S. troops. But its appeals often rely on images and stories borrowed without permission, and its assets have been used to benefit political consulting firms and PACs.
Cuomo’s Office Denies Using Private Email Accounts. But it Does.
Aides to the governor have used private accounts, which can help hide communications on public business, despite state rules barring the practice.
Top Acthar Prescribers in Medicare Have Ties to Its Maker
The top four prescribers of the drug were promotional speakers, researchers or consultants.
The Obscure Drug With a Growing Medicare Tab
Experts question the effectiveness of H.P. Acthar Gel, a drug made from pigs’ pituitary glands. Yet it cost Medicare more than $141 million in 2012, up from $7 million in 2008.
Glitch Prompts Temporary Shutdown of Pharma Payment Verification System
The government had to take offline its system for doctors to verify payments from drug companies after at least one doctor had payments attributed to him that actually went to someone else.
Drug-Addicted Docs Running Clinical Trials and More in Muckreads Weekly
Some of the best #MuckReads we read this week. Want to receive these by email? Sign up to get this briefing delivered to your inbox every weekend.
