Watcher's DMH BS Ad of the Week 3/28/06

This BS Ad of the Week goes to the radio commercials DMH is putting out talking about cancer patients.

I don't know about you, but the first thing *I* would think of if I wanted screened by any type of cancer is not a hospital! (And especially a hospital being investigated by the FBI, mind you!)

The first person I would think of would be my FAMILY DOCTOR. After that, it would be the cancer doc and maybe a surgeon. BOTH OF THESE SPECIALIST PHYSICIANS PRACTICE AT BOTH HOSPITALS.

DMH being responsible for patients' success in cancer treatment makes as much sense as saying WalMart is responsible for your ability to eat supper tonight simply because they sell groceries. Cancer care, before and after the surgery, ARE IDENTICAL AT BOTH HOSPITALS.

The other thing that is laughable in these commercials is the patients' statements saying they were glad they "chose" DMH. More than likely, their DMH financed surgeon probably steered the patient towards DMH or perhaps "cancelled the surgery at St. Mary's because they wouldn't have an opening for a month."

It's kind of like the land-slide election results Soviet Premier's used to get in their "elections."

If Ken Smithmier is trying to make DMH look like they are God's gift to Decatur, they are way off the mark.

St. Mary's Is Fighting Back

(Click To Enlarge)


In the wake of the blatant self-referrals by DMH docs and their offices, St. Mary's Hospital has launched a counter-attack in the media. However, you will not see these ads in the DMH Herald & Review, but instead in the Decatur Tribune print edition. I guess St. Mary's didn't want to give DMH the CHOICE on getting any warning this time on their advertising scheme.

The above are the first two ads...with more to come I'm sure. "I take it personally" is the catch-phrase for these ads.

The only time you'll hear a DMH lackey say this might be if the 'cuffs are on too tight.

Robert Pittenger Fills Us In On The Federal Investigation Process

From a comment on this same blog, signed by Robert Pittenger:

Most, if not all investigations at the federal level take longer than at the local level.

The two systems have different processes. 15 years ago, if a Decatur Police officer received a complaint, he/she would investigate and act accordingly using "probable cause" to base their decision on what action to take. As opposed to a federal agent who will take weeks, months, or years, to discuss their findings with prosecutors, then collectively they decided to charge or not to charge the offender. It takes a special person to be able to make those split second decisions, I'll take the "good street cop" any day. But realistically, both systems work quite well.

When talking about a health care related matter, the issues, rules, regulations, and laws, are so complex that causes even more due diligence on the part of the investigators and prosecutors, thus lenghtens any investigation. And those are never (to my knowledge) done at the local level.

I cannot answer your question about any specific investigation, but normally a health care matter will take years to prepare for court, or settle.

On the federal level if there is no action taken, be it an indictment or a civil law suit, the general public will never hear about it, because it never existed.

On the other hand, indictments and civil law suits are normally announced in some manner, be it a news conference or in a press release. Those issues are normally made public by the lead attorney and/or the United States Attorney of the appropriate Federal District. And, there are always exceptions.

I hope that addressed your questions.

Robert A. Pittenger