ST. JOHN WESTSHORE HOSPITAL, WESTLAKE/CLEVELAND, OHIO PROTEST 4

ST. JOHN WESTSHORE HOSPITAL, WESTLAKE/CLEVELAND, OHIO ; The firing of 2 'Primary Care' physicians left 2,500 patients medically homeless. The Physicians-The reason for termination was 'Lack of Productivity' Dr. Randt is a primary care physician who has taken care of many patients, many of whom are in their 70s and 80s. His contract was terminated by St. John's Hospital. He says, "I was terminated because of lack of productivity. We weren't seeing enough patients."

His termination illustrates how patients have become a means to an end, and that end is the financial bottom line.

According to Dr. Randt, the chief financial officer of the hospital told a medical staff meeting a few months ago that if all the doctors could admit one more Medicare patient a month, the hospital would meet its revenue targets. "This suggests we should go out and commit fraud," Dr. Randt said.

"It's unconscionable," Dr. Randt continued. "I try to keep patients out of the hospital who don't need to be there."

He recalled two of his patients who doctors wanted to admit to the hospital. Dr. Randt intervened. Because he knew the patients' medical histories and took the time to talk to them, he helped them avoid the treatment trap and being admitted to the hospital.

"Patients are being overtested and overtreated," he said of patients. "It only creates more anxiety for them."

Dr. Randt was informed on March 31, 2010 that his contract to provide care to 1,000 of his patients, would end today. A partner in his practice who takes care of 1,500 patients, is also being terminated.

"I received bonuses in December 2008 and 2009," Dr. Randt says. "This suggests that we were generating a profit. I guess it wasn't enough."

On Sunday, May 2, a rally is being held at 29000 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio. Patients, family members, former staff members and others will speak at the rally.

"People should be out in the street protesting about the adverse effects of medicine driven by money," he said.

Upload: Linda Wiler, L.S.W

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Mobilize Ohio Movement
• WESTLAKE/CLEVELAND
• Dr. Randt
• terminated
• St. John's Hospital
• I was terminated
• lack of productivity
• Upload: Linda Wiler
• profit
• insurance
• medical profit
• non profit
• protest
• homeless
• primary care
• physician
• Westlake Ohio
• Cleveland Ohio
• civil rights
• threat
• death panel
• government healthcare
• private insurance
• medicare
• medicaid
• family practice
• mobilize ohio movement
• drew smith
• channel 5
• april stoltz
• sam phillips