Rick Scott is determined to leave his snail trail of slime all over the government of Florida. His latest little escapade of moral degeneracy comes in the form changing healthcare reform and drug testing all state workers. On the surface this may appear to be a good idea, but it is far more sinister than it seems.
The healthcare industry has been a source of monetary gold for Ricky for many years. His newest freight train loaded with gold is a company he started, called Solantic after his little walk away from law enforcement by “resigning” from Columbia/HCA, resulting in the largest Medicaid fraud case ever, and with Columbia paying a fine of $1.7 billion. Solantic is a Florida based healthcare business with, at last count, thirty- wo offices state-wide. They cater to low income patients.
Dr. P. Mark Glencross filed a suit against Solantic in 2008 saying his medical license had been abused by Solantic’s clinics. The suit alleged Solantic filed paperwork claiming each clinic had a dedicated medical director.
Two years later the case finally made it to court. Rick Scott was deposed in the case and you may not believe this, but he refused to release the deposition stating the matter was a private matter. Wow, how crazy is that since he is such an open book? The matter was settled a month later for an undisclosed amount and a requirement of confidentiality by both parties. Again, I am stunned…undisclosed?
Oddly, Scott was deposed right before telling everyone he would be running for governor. The suit was then settled quickly and quietly.
During the primary, another Solantic doctor Dr. Randy Prokes, a former employee, sent the opposition, Bill McCollum, an email (see the entire email at http://reidreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/PROKESemail.png) stating Solantic billed Medicare full rate for patients not seeing doctor, and only seeing a nurse practitioner. Federal requirements indicate only eighty– ive percent of the visit is billable when a doctor is not present.
Dr. Prokes worked for Solantic from 2004 until November of 2009 when he was summarily fired. He was accused of writing a prescription outside the office which is against company guidelines.
Dr. Prokes was the on-site doctor at the clinic and stated he saw documents with his name on them for patients he had never seen. He also stated he did some research and found those patients had been seen mostly by hired guns, brought in on a temporary basis, meaning the clinic misused his license.
McCollum turned the matter over to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, who then forwarded the information to the inspector general’s office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I haven’t been able to find any disposition on complaint, although it was listed in another lawsuit filed by Steven Andrews, a Tallahassee attorney. He is trying to get the videotaped deposition released.
He claims Scott and Solantic are a public hazard.
I hear you asking, Lee, so nothing has been proven about Solantic, so what’s so bad with Ricky and his healthcare organization? I’m glad you asked.
Going all the way back to 2005 there has been a push for a Medicaid program which would change a number of rules for Medicaid in Florida. The rules would provide Solantic’s clinics some opportunities to bring down some big cash.
To start with, there is an organization created by Ricky called the “Conservatives for Patient’s Rights” (http://www.cprights.org/). Great name huh? Can’t you just hear the compassion pouring from the name?
The organization fights tooth and nail against any healthcare plan they deem too costly. Their webpage carries the statement, “CPR takes a look at plans that have been discussed, written about or offered up as legislation. Which plans provide that the individual patient can make their own choices regarding the health care they seek? Which plans promote competition within the health care industry? Which plans are just too costly?” Remember this is the man who ran Columbia/HCA that paid almost $2 billion in fines, and now he is wanting to have a voice in what programs are too costly.
Talking about the fox in the hen house. The CPR is fighting against changing the system that made it so easy for the Medicaid fraud that has taken place in this country, especially fraud on such an enormous scale as that committed under Ricky’s watch. This system made him a multimillionaire. Of course he wants to set the rules. Even with Solantic the allegations are arising yet once again.
This is a recent statement made by Rick Scott and posted on their webpage:
By Rick Scott on March 21, 2010 11:48 PM
“For more than a year, the American people have listened to what President Obama and Congress had to say about health care reform. Unfortunately, it was a one-way conversation, with Congress refusing to listen to what the American people wanted out of health care reform — lower costs and more choices. Yet, despite public opinion polls that have consistently been against the bill since last July, lively town hall meetings rallying against the bill in August, and the shocking takeover of Ted Kennedy’s seat by a Republican this January, President Obama and the Liberals who control Congress have pushed ahead with a bill that won’t accomplish either of those things.
Today Congress had their last say in the health care debate – by passing health care without an actual vote on the bill. Thankfully, come November, we, the people, will have the last word. This Congress and this president have been warned they were on the wrong track, and they refused at every opportunity to heed those warnings. I don’t believe the American people will tolerate such an astounding level of arrogance from their elected representatives. This nation deserves better, and I will continue to fight to see that we get back on the right track.”
He has a lot of arrogance talking about arrogance, but that is usually the case. Amazing.
Over and over Scott proclaims he is changing things to save money. He is pushing this program, which has never worked, into law for that reason, according to him. The program would both limit access and/or decrease benefits to Medicaid recipients.
Meanwhile back at the Scott ranch, he’s not telling the whole story. Solantic isn’t big on Medicaid, but they obviously love Medicare. They also do business with private HMOs. With the ability to limit patients with Medicare, their base clientele opens Medicare wild blue yonder wide open. Where has Scott made most of his money…even the fraud money? You are correct. Medicare is the answer.
Is this law a conflict of interest? Even to the most casual observer the answer would be yes. Ricky knows this, and in January he moved all the assets ($62 Million or more) into a revocable trust in guess who’s name? His wife’s.
Yes folks, Rick Scott has proven himself delusional. He thinks moving those assets into his wife’s name is not a conflict of interest. Well, maybe he knows better but he thinks everyone in Florida is stupid. It might even be a case of both. That certainly wouldn’t surprise me from this egotistical man, who from all the apparent evidence is a crook of the highest order. Like the Teflon Don however, nothing seems to stick to this man I believe is a crook. I do give credit where credit is due, he is smart. He is smart enough to rape this state leaving behind a bloody carcass of an economy, and citizens on the brink.
Bernie Madoff is probably sitting in prison thinking, man I wish I had thought of that.
To further cloud this controversy, Rick Scott is pushing hard to implement a drug testing program for all welfare recipients and state workers. Again…on the surface this appears to be a governor that is diligent, blah, blah, blah. But guess what?
One of the big incomes for Solantic is none other than drug testing. No, that’s not a conflict on interest either…[please insert sarcasm here].
January was a particularly important month for transferring assets in Ricky’s case. It was just days before his inauguration. His attorneys met with the Florida Commission on ethics. A short time later he transferred the assets. No surprise in this case either, no public records were ever brought out.
Let’s just face it, this is wrong. He can rationalize all he wants but the fact is the money is going to his wife, and thus to him. You can paint it any way you want but it is still a conflict of interest, which once again, translates to fraud. Paint it blue, paint it red, but it is still a great big ol’ pink elephant that needs to be ridden straight up to the state capital. Saddle up folks.
