Wednesday, October 14, 2009
News Do No Harm documentary comes to Atlanta tonight
Posted by Thomas Wheatley @thomaswheatley on Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 6:47 AM
Those of you looking for a real-life tale of the importance — and risks — of speaking out have an opportunity tonight, as the documentary Do No Harm will finally be screened in Atlanta.
The 55-minute film tells the story of two whistleblowers who uncovered what they considered were questionable practices at Phoebe Putney, a nonprofit hospital in Albany, Ga.
From the Do No Harm website:
In 2003, Dr. John Bagnato and accountant Charles Rehberg stumble upon evidence that the hospital is overcharging uninsured and indigent patients and is using aggressive collections tactics to recover costs. Their subsequent investigation uncovers millions of dollars in offshore bank accounts and lucrative for-profit businesses under the control of the non-profit hospital - not only at Phoebe, but also at non-profit hospitals around the country. And shockingly – this is all entirely legal.
Rehberg and Bagnato were prosecuted for their efforts. But they kept investigating other nonprofit hospitals. Dick Scruggs, the Mississippi lawyer who battled Big Tobacco, took notice of the duo's findings and filed class action lawsuits against 37 health care systems in 26 states.
A July screening was abruptly canceled after an Albany TV station said the filmmakers didn't have permission to use newscast footage. The AJC's Jim Galloway wrote a great piece at the time that offered more details about that dispute — as well as the potential political ramifications the documentary could have on one Democratic state attorney general candidate's 2010 campaign.
The screening, which is sponsored by Atlanta-based consumer advocacy group Georgia Watch, starts at 7 p.m. at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. RSVP here. A panel discussion with Bagnato, filmmaker Rebecca Schanberg and former AJC investigative report Andy Miller will follow.
(Courtesy Do No Harm)
Comments (2)
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Dick Scruggs is in jail right now for mail fraud and for attempting to bribe a judge.
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