[Peace-discuss] unedited letter

[Ricky Baldwin]

OK, maybe it's just because it's my letter, but I think the original (below) was
stronger before the News-Gazette editors got hold of it:

Dear Editor:

The state conspiracy charges against Carle and Christie clinics have brought to light
some shocking realities about access to healthcare in Champaign County, but the
News-Gazette seems to prefer to dodge these substantive issues.  And reading the facts
presented by the State Attorney General, which the clinics have not disputed, it is
clear that a terrible crime has been committed.  

When these clinics turn away newborn babies and others with serious medical conditions,
not even because they can’t pay, but because the money they pay is coming from our
government, and because the beancounters are holding out for more money from the State,
that’s a humanitarian crisis.  Carle and Christie together control 90 percent of
doctors in this county.  Conspiring together they represent a near monopoly, exactly
the kind of thing antitrust laws are made to prevent.

And these businesses are not hurting, as expansions demonstrate.  They make money hand
over fist while picking and choosing which of the local sick and dying are worthy of
care.  This specific case, regardless of any technicalities and delays, is about two
major subsidized businesses trying to extort more money from taxpayers by obstructing
basic healthcare needs.

But rather than explore these issues, or the specific cases of abuse cited in the
lawsuit, the News-Gazette chose to push a political agenda in its January 30 editorial
and attack the Attorney General for filing the case.  Surely this is missing the point.

Sincerely,
Ricky Baldwin





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