newsobserver.com projects - Department of Health and Human Services - Comments

Re: Mental hospital deaths to be disclosed

Chicago_Guy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:38:09 -0400

I don't understand. Doesn't the federal HIPAA law require that permission be given before health information can be released? Don't HIPAA rights continue even after death, and doesn't the federal law take precedence over any state law?

A small step just for 'appearances"

mayberry_lady1 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 20:46:00 -0400

It would be nicer if they disclosed the incidences of mistreatment of patients BEFORE they die. Not all patients are mistreated, but I worry more about those abused and neglected than I do death records.

Re: Mental hospital deaths to be disclosed

barbie50 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:44:13 -0400

I really like the self-serving quote from Roy Cooper. The Department of Health and Human Services didn't act on its own to hold these records back. In fact, they relied on Assistant Attorney Generals from Roy Cooper's office for legal advice. They were just following that advice when they didn't give up these records. Yet, Cooper sounds like he knows nothing about that. Clearly, he does. He is just a politician who likes to have it both ways. His attorneys are notorious for their opinions on public records. But, when those opinions get challenged...suddenly a department like DHHS is at fault...rather than the A.G.

Re: Mental hospital deaths to be disclosed

PaulTerrell — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:29:21 -0400

It is pretty sad when it takes a newspaper to force the government to do what it is right.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:47:41 -0400

Comment deleted for profanity.

— RTB

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

FFC1304 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:21:55 -0400

Dempsey Benton should be fired before sunset.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

workerbee4 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:11:23 -0400

What kind of world do we live in that makes it o.k. to steal from mentally ill patients?? Many of them have so little to start with, many look forward to obtaining clothes from the clothing room. I bet they'd think they had won the lottery if they had $572.oo. Some families don't even visit because they don't have the gas, even before prices went up. Patients are often readmitted because they can't afford their meds......But she's sent to CH to help "fix" things?? Where are the patient advocates when you REALLY need one????

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

workerbee4 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:06:09 -0400

But Ms. Sudderth is Reassigned?????????????? Maybe CH does need to close.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

workerbee4 — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:03:25 -0400

Let's see now. Jackie S. hasn't been charged with obstruction of justice. Dr. Berg hasn't been charged with assault. It's o.k. that the former DIRECTOR of the hospital took money intended to benefit patients. I've had staff be investigated for an alleged missing nutty bar. What's wrong with this picture????

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

Atnor — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 18:25:57 -0400

Considering the weak "discipline" the state has bandied about at Cherry and these hospitals in general, I'm not really surprised at all.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

ccc5437 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:40:34 -0400

No lets just allow her to continue working for the state at 95 % of her salary. As a private provider should something like this happens in and agency I would fire the person. Because it is embezzling , stealing etc. etc. etc.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

is_anyone_listening — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:11:21 -0400

Any one to use patient money for their own "blown out of proportion" ego should be charged with stealing or exploitation, not transferred. That money is for "forgotten" patients...for patients that have nothing and there are many of them. And it's all that Cherry hospital needs...someone who doesn't give a hoot about patients to give advice on how to get out of the trouble they're in.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

sammytodd66 — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:15:54 -0400

Thank goodness. This was the dumbest case ever, blown completely out of proportion.

Re: Christian won't face charges for portrait

ToddSm — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:10:38 -0400

wow what a surprise I have been investigated at Cherry because out of over a thousand bucks a patient spent while I was supervising his shopping trip, a mere 60 cents was unaccounted for ( he put it in a vending machine, which do not give receipts) but this employee admittedly took money earmarked for patients and no charges are forthcoming. now the public knows that an honest employee has no chance at Cherry or any state facility

Re: Director immortalized on patients' dimes

mickiep — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:56:23 -0400

I thought it was Marlo Thomas from "That Girl". What a pathetic waste of vending machine nickles........and oil paint. The canvas wasn't the only thing stretched....