'Physician of the Year' = $1,250 contribution to the GOP

[G_j]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0406-11.htm

Published on Wednesday, April 6, 2005 by ABC News

Are Honors for Physicians the New Political Diploma Mill?
Doctor Named 'Physician of the Year' -- for a Fee

by Brian Ross

The good news reached the Jamestown, N.Y., office of Dr. Rudolph Mueller in a fax from a congressman in Washington. Mueller had been named 2004 Physician of the Year.

"My secretary came running in and said, 'Dr. Rudy, look at what you've won, you're Physician of the Year,' " said Mueller, an internist.

But to receive the award in person at a special two-day workshop in Washington last month, Mueller found out that he would have to make a $1,250 contribution to the National Republican Congressional Committee. It was a disturbing discovery, he said.

"To actually buy your award and it's not from your peers or from your patients or from the community that you serve, it's really deceptive," said Mueller, author of "As Sick As It Gets: The Shocking Reality of America's Healthcare, A Diagnosis and Treatment Plan." "It's not being honest, it's just not right."

To see what the award process was all about, Mueller sent in his $1,250 contribution and ABC News paid for his travel to Washington for the scheduled events March 14-15, which included a tax-reform workshop as well as appearances by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, and President Bush.

..more..

[Pinboy]

1. Must be that new humanitarian org -- "Doctors Without Scruples" n/t

[Totally Committed]

2. After all we've been through with the Regressives...

I really don't see where the shock about this comes in. Frankly, I'd be more shocked if he hadn't made a contribution!

TC

[damntexdem]

3. Physician of the year shouldn't be sold, it should be for merit:

spin-doctor of the year for the GOP. ;-)