8/19/08

According to the Los Angeles Times, a new measure has been passed in California that will require patients to be given physical exams before elective surgery. The measure is a result of the death of rapper Kanye West's mother, who died of complications related to aesthetic surgery last year.

According to Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), the West family believes that a physical exam would have uncovered coronary artery disease, which would have prevented the death.

"Many of us are concerned about the quality of care extended to those who receive elective surgery," says Ridley-Thomas.

The vote on AB 2968 was 37 to 1.

[Los Angeles Times, August 13, 2008]