Dr. Laura Crafton
It is long past the time that our government should have stood up for us to prevent the injustice that many of us have endured. It is time to hold them accountable.
For one year the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice conducted hearings on Health Care and Competition Trade Law.
I attended on June 10, 2003. I was quickly made aware that David Hymen MD/JD, special counsel for the Federal Trade Commission, did not have any interest in destructive nature of Peer Review when it is used to silence physicians concerned regarding the quality of care their patients receive.
It was clear that he had an agenda. He knew what answers he was looking for, and asked questions to elicit the responses he was interested in.
The purpose was to make information regarding available to special committees for the Senate and the Congress.
I was treated like I was alone in this matter. We need to make the government officials aware that there are thousands of physicians whose careers and lives have been destroyed by the abuse of the Health Care Quality Assurance Act of 1986. More importantly we need to make them aware of the great suffering inflicted on our patients and the quality of medicine that stands in the wake of the indifference to this problem.
We are used as examples as to what happens to physicians that speak up on behalf of quality care for our patients. This silences the physicians that remain at the hospitals out of fear that they can be next.
We have laws that are not enforced. We stand alone in this injustice. The Justice System is just a system. Truth and justice is often forgotten. If we are complacent and dont care enough to make the government aware, than who will? Remember, David Hyman finished medical school. While he did not practice medicine, he should be able to understand the intricacies of our issues. Ask any of your fellow physicians that have also been victims to write as well.
Please send you story to:
FTC STAFF CONTACT:
David Hyman, Special Counsel
Office of the General Counsel
202-326-2622
dhyman@ftc.gov
Please send me a copy of your story so I can document the number of respondents and your story to Lauracrafton@hotmail.com or
Laura Crafton
1973 Antonio Rd.
Port Allen, LA 70767
225-749-0096
If you are concerned regarding ongoing litigation, reveal as little or as much of the details you feel comfortable revealing. Keep in mind silence is what the hospital administration and their lawyers count on. It is time that we thwart their tactics and come out swinging.