Doctor Denies Care to the President's Supporters

[deception]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...r-tells-patients-go-aw20100401,0,658649.story

A doctor who considers the national health-care overhaul to be bad medicine for the country posted a sign on his office door telling patients who voted for President Barack Obama to seek care "elsewhere."

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."

The sign reads: "If you voted for Obama … seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."

Estella Chatman, 67, of Eustis, whose daughter snapped a photo of the typewritten sign, sent the picture to U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson, the Orlando Democrat who riled Republicans last year when he characterized the GOP's idea of health care as, "If you get sick, America … Die quickly."

Chatman said she heard about the sign from a friend referred to Cassell after his physician recently died. She said her friend did not want to speak to a reporter but was dismayed by Cassell's sign.

"He's going to find another doctor," she said.

Cassell may be walking a thin line between his right to free speech and his professional obligation, said William Allen, professor of bioethics, law and medical professionalism at the University of Florida's College of Medicine.

Allen said doctors cannot refuse patients on the basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or disability, but political preference is not one of the legally protected categories specified in civil-rights law. By insisting he does not quiz his patients about their politics and has not turned away patients based on their vote, the doctor is "trying to hold onto the nub of his ethical obligation," Allen said.

"But this is pushing the limit," he said.

Cassell, who has practiced medicine in GOP-dominated Lake County since 1988, said he doesn't quiz his patients about their politics, but he also won't hide his disdain for the bill Obama signed and the lawmakers who passed it.

In his waiting room, Cassell also has provided his patients with photocopies of a health-care timeline produced by Republican leaders that outlines "major provisions" in the health-care package. The doctor put a sign above the stack of copies that reads: "This is what the morons in Washington have done to your health care. Take one, read it and vote out anyone who voted for it."

Cassell, whose lawyer wife, Leslie Campione, has declared herself a Republican candidate for Lake County commissioner, said three patients have complained, but most have been "overwhelmingly supportive" of his position.

"They know it's not good for them," he said.

Cassell, who previously served as chief of surgery at Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares, said a patient's politics would not affect his care for them, although he said he would prefer not to treat people who support the president.

"I can at least make a point," he said.

The notice on Cassell's office door could cause some patients to question his judgment or fret about the care they might receive if they don't share his political views, Allen said. He said doctors are wise to avoid public expressions that can affect the physician-patient relationship.

Erin VanSickle, spokeswoman for the Florida Medical Association, would not comment specifically.

But she noted in an e-mail to the Sentinel that "physicians are extended the same rights to free speech as every other citizen in the United States."

The outspoken Grayson described Cassell's sign as "ridiculous."

"I'm disgusted," he said. "Maybe he thinks the Hippocratic Oath says, ‘Do no good.' If this is the face of the right wing in America, it's the face of cruelty. … Why don't they change the name of the Republican Party to the Sore Loser Party?"

 

[Denny Crane]

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."


Maybe the title of this thread is a weeeeeee bit inaccurate.

 

[deception]

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."


Maybe the title of this thread is a weeeeeee bit inaccurate.

if u were black and jim crow ceased according to the civil rights bill- would u venture into a white owned establishment south of the mason dixon line by yourself? probably not and thats how a democrat would feel seeking medical help from this douche.

 

[Denny Crane]

Jim Crow didn't cease according to the civil rights bill. Whichever one you're talking about to change the subject.

 

[deception]

Jim Crow didn't cease according to the civil rights bill. Whichever one you're talking about to change the subject.

if i had coffee shop and i had sign outside of it that read, "if u are asian, go elsewhere for a coffee" but in a subsequent interview with a newspaper columnist- i said that i would serve asians but i wouldnt be happy about it- wouldnt that make me dr. cassell?

 

[Denny Crane]

if i had coffee shop and i had sign outside of it that read, "if u are asian, go elsewhere for a coffee" but in a subsequent interview with a newspaper columnist- i said that i would serve asians but i wouldnt be happy about it- wouldnt that make me dr. cassell?

There's nothing that physically identifies a liberal, other than the pointy head. And your own article says he doesn't ask people if they voted for Obama.

"Cassell, who has practiced medicine in GOP-dominated Lake County since 1988, said he doesn't quiz his patients about their politics, but he also won't hide his disdain for the bill Obama signed and the lawmakers who passed it."


Your analogies are weak.

 

[MARIS61]

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."


Maybe the title of this thread is a weeeeeee bit inaccurate.

It's completely accurate.

The "doctor" lies when he says that.

His sign clearly says "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE IF YOU VOTED FOR OBAMA!"

I assume he'll be explaining himself soon to the State Medical Board.

 

[Denny Crane]

It's completely accurate.

The "doctor" lies when he says that.

His sign clearly says "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE IF YOU VOTED FOR OBAMA!"

I assume he'll be explaining himself soon to the State Medical Board.

Doctors' offices and pharmacies have all kinds of signs that are similar. Like "we don't accept medicare"

He has nothing to fear.

 

[Denny Crane]

It's completely accurate.

The "doctor" lies when he says that.

His sign clearly says "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE IF YOU VOTED FOR OBAMA!"

I assume he'll be explaining himself soon to the State Medical Board.

LOL

Erin VanSickle, spokeswoman for the Florida Medical Association, would not comment specifically.

But she noted in an e-mail to the Sentinel that "physicians are extended the same rights to free speech as every other citizen in the United States."

 

[The Sebastian Express]

I'm more dismayed that someone compared this to declining people based on race and lying in the thread title than this doctor's sign, TBQH.

 

[Natebishop3]

I can't believe people are playing the race card on this. It has nothing to do with race. I saw the guy interviewed on Anderson Cooper and he was a tool. Didn't have sound arguments at all. At least stand up for what you believe in. He flip flopped a lot. I would have respected the guy more if he had just come out and said, "I don't like the people who are running our country. If you voted for them, I would prefer not to provide you with medical care." I'm not saying he's right, but I hate when people do something and then don't own up to it.

 

[deception]

There's nothing that physically identifies a liberal, other than the pointy head. And your own article says he doesn't ask people if they voted for Obama.

"Cassell, who has practiced medicine in GOP-dominated Lake County since 1988, said he doesn't quiz his patients about their politics, but he also won't hide his disdain for the bill Obama signed and the lawmakers who passed it."


Your analogies are weak.

alright lets take this path, ill continue it- if the sign read, "if your a jew, take your business elsewhere" - wouldnt that make me dr. cassell?

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

The lefties here play the race card as they have no other alternative as they know they are wrong. One of those "last gasp" things.

But getting back to the sign, it's pretty immature & stupid IMHO. You're a doctor and not a politician. To suggest people go elsewhere just because they may support Obamacare is childish at best.

And he may very well get a call from the state medical board. I know he would in Oregon. I deal with those folks every day.

 

[MrJayremmie]

"I'm not turning anybody away — that would be unethical," Dr. Jack Cassell, 56, a Mount Dora urologist and a registered Republican opposed to the health plan, told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday. "But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it."


Maybe the title of this thread is a weeeeeee bit inaccurate.

He said that later, after he started losing customers and making less money.

 

[Denny Crane]

He said that later, after he started losing customers and making less money.

I saw a bit about him on the local news here, and he said he was upset that this new health care plan will end up rationing care at the end of peoples' lives (e.g. elderly).

I think he has a point, the legislation is targeted at his livelihood and expertise, and he has a right of free speech.

From all I've seen and read about him, he had three potential patients walk out of his office - perhaps a case he's losing customers, but perhaps no bid deal in the big scheme of things regarding his practice.

 

[Denny Crane]

I can't believe people are playing the race card on this. It has nothing to do with race. I saw the guy interviewed on Anderson Cooper and he was a tool. Didn't have sound arguments at all. At least stand up for what you believe in. He flip flopped a lot. I would have respected the guy more if he had just come out and said, "I don't like the people who are running our country. If you voted for them, I would prefer not to provide you with medical care." I'm not saying he's right, but I hate when people do something and then don't own up to it.

I didn't see the CNN piece, but recently provided clear proof they edit filmed segments to make people say things out of context to look bad.

FWIW