Baptist Hospital and the State of North Carolina: Alleged Malfeasance and Whistleblowing Aftermath

Do you know what choices you would make if faced with an ethical dilemma? This fact-based case includes situations and issues that a real citizen considered when faced with the knowledge that his employer may have been overbilling the state of North Carolina for health care. Professionals, especially those in accounting and finance positions, are likely to face serious dilemmas in the course of their careers. These situations may require them to choose between honoring a confidentiality clause in an employment contract and acting according to ethical and professional values. This case provides facts gathered from an actual case in which an individual faced this particular challenge. By working through the case, students should develop an appreciation of the pressures and personal ethical challenges they are likely to face in the workplace. By engaging in discussion and role play, students will be more likely to recognize these issues when they occur, and will have already developed critical thinking skills to help them develop a plan of action.

Use of a State-Level Pharmaceutical Assistance Program Among Urban and Rural Elders

A number of state-level pharmaceutical assistance programs have been established as a result of the growing recognition of the role of pharmaceuticals in the long-term care of the elderly. However, existing research does not provide a coherent expectation for patterns of use by rural and urban elderly. The data for this analysis are drawn from a larger study of the Pennsylvania Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE). PACE provides prescription medicines for elderly who meet income requirements. The research project was designed to assess the characteristics of PACE program participants and non-participants on a wide range of issues. Chi-square analysis and regression models were used to assess the association between rural and urban residence and access to the PACE Program. The results indicate that rural/urban status of the elderly is not a significant predictor of the use of PACE. Other traditional variables (e.g., health self-rating and physician visits) did predict difference in the pattern of use.

State-Level Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs for the Elderly: A national survey.

In order to put Pennsylvania's Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) Program in a national context, a nationwide mail survey and telephone follow-up to each of the 58 State Unit Directors on Aging in the United States and its territories identified 10 programs. The results reported in this article are specific to the seven state-level pharmaceutical assistance programs which were in operation during the fiscal year 1984-85. In general, the programs varied on select program characteristics and on their efforts to address major policy issues. Data from the non-program states indicated support, legislative efforts, and a high interest in fiscal concerns. The findings reflect a lack of program uniformity and have implications for program development and implementation. Suggestions on how to identify the "optimum" or best combination of program and policy options are discussed.