County's hands tied in endoscopy clinic case [View All]

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Century-old law curbs local power

As much as Clark County leaders might want to punish clinics in their territory for shoddy medical practices, they are handcuffed by a century-old law designed to curb local authority.

Dillon's Rule, enacted at the turn of the 20th century, gave state lawmakers overriding power over local governments as a way to suppress corrupt political machines.

The law prevents the county from meting out penalties that are not outlined in the state statutes. That would include imposing fines on the four clinics in its jurisdiction the way the city of Las Vegas slapped a $500,000 fine on the Endoscopy Center of Nevada after it was found to be reusing syringes and single-dose vials of medication.

Eight cases of hepatitis C have been linked to the center and an affiliated clinic. Officials are wrestling with how to better respond to similar situations should they arise, and lawmakers have criticized state medical regulatory officials for not acting more forcefully against the clinics.

Review Journal

The level of creativity to allow scoundrels go free appears to be limitless.

It also is interesting to observe, time and time again, the level of public outrage and outcries for JUSTICE generated from a SINGLE act of abuse or violence. Yet, when a for-profit scandal occur on a massive scale such as this, the low count is 40,000, the silent is deafening.