Comments on: Explosive MUSC Memo Unearthed

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:14:36 +0000

How on earth did the Joint Commission miss this, among many other serious signs of noncompliance. Gee, has anyone considered that Uncle JC did find these failures and lies, which explains MUSC’s “cuts” in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement? PR can’t fix THAT one, or did it?

By: James the Foot Solder

James the Foot Solder — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:54:24 +0000

Not Funny:

Thank you for totally missing the point.

Dr. Lage had the temerity to UNDERbid a private physician group to provide pathology services at Oconee Hospital. And the whining physician that made that “allegation” thought that was a bad thing!

No telling how much Oconee Hospital is saving but that money just might be enough to keep a nurse or an aide that actually provides hands on patient care from being laid off.

The only loser in this situation is the private physician group and I’m quite sure they’ll be able to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make their Mercedes payments.

The other point was a WARNING to the physician who thinks President Obama’s health care reform will do anything but cut physician pay.

Is that a good thing? Ask the folks that run Oconee.

I happen to believe America has the best health care system in the world and the only “crisis” is eminating from the folks that want someone else to pay for their healthcare.

By: Chloe

Chloe — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:12:12 +0000

Truth Teller,
Wouldn’t it be nice if our institutions judged “not by the color of one’s skin, but by the content of one’s character”?

By: Truth Teller

Truth Teller — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:22:39 +0000

Well, another scandel. Guess what, another one is brewing now with the Dean Jerry Reves. I think he will be the next to be implicated and disciplined. His inability to lead has led to the shape that MUSC finds itself in. He is just too focused on attracting a few underperforming blacks to MUSC with full scholarships. He actually forced the COM Departments to cough up 2 million dollars to match the 2 million donated by UMA. All of this while many others are furloghed or losing their jobs entirely. Now the basic sciences are being reorganized. Thankfully, we will have a few underperforming blacks in the medical school! What a great plan! I’m sure patients would be excited to know that their physician was admitted (and given a full scholarship) not because of their knowledge or ability but because of the color of their skin. That would be enough for me to avoid minority physicians at MUSC.

By: Not funny

Not funny — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:15:39 +0000

James,

You think physician pay cuts are a good thing? Just wait to see who takes care of you when you have your next heart attack/cancer/stroke/motor vehicle accident/poison ingestion/burn wound/broken bone/infectious disease/etc… Good physicians don’t go through a decade of training to be poorly compensated for their hard work.

By: James the Foot Soldier

James the Foot Soldier — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 21:06:47 +0000

Interesting – apparently all the money MUSC spends on a compliance program is a waste – or the lawyers in that compliance department are incompetent.

Lawyers incompetent?

Redundant I know, but I digress.

The allegation Dr. Lage UNDERBID a private pathology group for services to Occonnee is a good thing – only in the minds of a physician would lower healthcare costs be considered a bad thing – just wait until President Obama’s healthcaer “reform” cuts physician pay – bwwaahh haaaa haaaa.

By: franksboy

franksboy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:05:51 +0000

You are correct about his not being News – HOWEVER -it should be News and should be covered in every detail until this mess is cleared up in out Institutions. I have always worked in the private sector and have never experienced the complete lack of care, lack of leadership and lack of willingness to face up to a problem than with the President of Clemson and, it appears, MUSC may be reaching that lofty reputation. Sure they go on but, it can and should be stopped and we certainly should not accept this attitude and human care by the Presidents of Clemson and, in this case, MUSC. Anyone can understand an underling getting involved and trying to intimidate his/her way out but, it is totally without excuse for a President to condone such actions – WHICH IS WHAT IS BEING DONE NOW – with apparently no oversight by any of our fine folks in State Government.

By: fitsnews

fitsnews — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:04:59 +0000

GnuBerry-

Your made a funny! Two of them!

Seriously, that is good stuff. Your first worthwhile comment ever. Congrats.

-FITS

By: GnuBerry

GnuBerry — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:03:29 +0000

I tried to read the memo but it was too explosive, not to mention a little dirty from being unearthed.

By: Watchman on Gadsden St.

Watchman on Gadsden St. — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:49:25 +0000

This most certainly is news. MUSC is an institution with excellent physicians, researchers, and ancillary staff. But when evidence of financial impropriety exists in the public setting, greater scrutiny is warranted. Lage’s conduct as chairwoman of the department should be thorougly and fairly reviewed.