California Learns From Donda West's Tragedy

"In response to the death of Donda West, Kanye West's mother, the California State Senate on Wednesday approved a requirement that patients be given a physical exam before elective surgery, according to the Los Angeles Times. State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas told the paper that the measure was in response to West's death last November of complications related to cosmetic surgery. The family reportedly believes that a physical exam would have uncovered coronary artery disease. "Many of us are concerned about the quality of care extended to those who receive elective surgery," Ridley-Thomas said. The vote was 37 to 1." [MTV]

Aug 15, 2008 · posted by Lauren Williams, Stereohyped · Link · 1 Response

• 12.04.08: Education, Income Heavily Influenced Prop 8 Votes (Comments: 0)
• 12.04.08: The Growing Stature of African American Art (Comments: 0)
• 12.03.08: Cervical Cancer Chemo Easier on Black Women (Comments: 0)
• 12.03.08: First Black Prez May Appoint First Openly Gay Cabinet Member (Comments: 1)
• 12.03.08: Is Hillary Clinton Ineligible for the Cabinet? (Comments: 0)

Tagged: Bills & Laws, Donda West, Health, Medicine

Comments (1)

No. 1 · Daria at Gorgeous Black Women

I thought she was aware of the fact that she had heart disease which is why the first doctor wouldn't perform the procedure. At the end of the day, a person who wants elective surgery is going to get it, trivializing the risks. People are going to get what they want. For goodness sake, people who are 15 lbs overweight can go to Mexico and get the lapband, something generaly preserved for people 100 lbs+ overweight. It's a little sad that a law is required. In my view, even a very mediocre doctor would require a physical. Plastic surgeons seem to do this automatically. That's not the case with "cosmetic surgeons."

Posted: Aug 15, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Leave a Comment