May 24, 2005 — A St. Lawrence County doctor was arrested last week for allegedly prescribing painkillers to addicted clients who didn't need them. The case is drawing attention to how prescription narcotics are controlled in New York. Dr. Gail DeHart of Gouverneur was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. DeHart's lawyer, Ed Menkin of Syracuse, declined to comment on the case, saying he had yet to meet with his client. Experts say abuse of prescription drugs is a growing problem nationwide, especially among young people. A new state law taking effect next year will require doctors to use official prescription forms, so the health department can better track prescription narcotics. David Sommerstein spoke with Dr. John Dewar, a family physician based in Potsdam. He's medical director of Canton-Potsdam Hospital's chemical dependency unit. He says he deals with 150 to 200 clients a year who are addicted to prescription drugs.  Go to full article

Jan 19, 2005 — Pataki is also proposing a tax hike levied on hospitals and nursing homes. According to the Glens Falls Post Star, the Glens Falls hospital could pay as much as $1.4 million more under the proposal. The legislature rejected a similar tax hike plan pushed by the Governor last year. Brian Mann spoke with State Senator Betty Little, a Republican from Queensbury.  Go to full article

Aug 27, 2004 — Public health agencies in Franklin County announced this week that they had completed a two-day mock bio-terror drill. The training session, which ran August 18 and 19, was designed to test coordination between a dozen different organizations ranging from the Red Cross to local hospitals to the public schools. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Jan 27, 2004 — Patients returned to Elizabethtown's community hospital on Monday, following a weekend fire that forced evacuation of the west wing. Emergency officials say the blaze may have been triggered by a failed piece of equipment in one of the rooms. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jan 26, 2004 — A fire broke out Saturday morning at the community hospital in
Elizabethtown, forcing officials to evacuate fifteen patients. One elderly woman died during the emergency, but officials blame her death on natural causes. Other patients and staff suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Dec 04, 2003 — A nurses union and other health advocates say the State Department of Health should set standards for the number of nurses needed for hospital procedures, to avoid patient deaths. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Nov 27, 2003 — Negotiators representing management and union workers at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone say they've reached a tentative settlement to end a week-long strike. Union members are expected to vote on the agreement Friday. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Nov 26, 2003 — Union and hospital officials say talks are moving forward in the week-old strike at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone. Martha Foley has an update.  Go to full article

Nov 24, 2003 — North Country Congressman John McHugh says he's supporting the Medicare bill in Congress largely because of extra money it gives to rural hospitals. Martha Foley reports.  Go to full article

Oct 01, 2003 — More Americans are going without health insurance than last year, according to new census bureau data. New York's uninsured increase was less than other states. But as David Sommerstein reports, the result is people are neglecting their health problems.  Go to full article