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Daily Rounds: New Autism Definition; Risperdal Suit Settled; Assisted Living Behind Bars; Hospital Elevator Birth

New definition of autism will exclude many, study suggests (The New York Times) - "Proposed changes in the definition of autism would sharply reduce the skyrocketing rate at which the disorder is diagnosed and might make it harder for many people who would no longer meet the criteria to get health, educational and social services, a new analysis suggests. The definition is now being reassessed by an expert panel appointed by the American Psychiatric Association, which is completing work on the fifth edition of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the first major revision in 17 years." (The New York Times)

Mass. proposes facilities for elderly inmates (AP) - "The plan also calls for one or more new facilities that could house aging inmates who need significant help with daily living and can no longer be adequately served within the general prison population. While the report said the facilities could offer "assisted living" for inmates, state officials quickly dismissed any comparison to luxurious assisted living complexes that exist for some senior citizens. "I've heard some of the wisecracks that are out there and I don't make much of them," Gov. Deval Patrick told reporters." (AP)

Johnson & Johnson to pay $158M to settle Texas lawsuit over Risperdal (The Wall Street Journal) - "Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) agreed to pay $158 million to settle a Texas lawsuit alleging the company's improper marketing of the antipsychotic Risperdal caused the state's Medicaid program to overpay for the drug. It is the latest legal setback related to Risperdal, which was once J&J's top-selling drug. Would-be whistleblowers and government prosecutors have alleged in lawsuits that J&J promoted Risperdal for unauthorized uses and misrepresented the drug's risks such as weight gain. J&J also has an agreement in principle to plead guilty to a misdemeanor violation of a federal law in connection with a Department of Justice investigation of its Risperdal marketing practices. The company is in talks to settle civil allegations in connection with the federal case, which could result in additional payouts." (WSJ)

Washington mom gives birth on stuck elevator (Huffington Post) - "If you thought the whole stuck-in-an-elevator-with-a-pregnant-woman-in-labor was just a fun television plot line, think again. Yesterday, second time Washington mom Katie Thacker made it to the hospital, but gave birth somewhere between the 12th and 14th floor." (Huffington Post)

This program aired on January 20, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

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