Urologist warns Obama supporters to "seek urologic care elsewhere"

Boy Wonder · Apr 5, 2010

MOUNT DORA, Fla. - A central Florida urologist has posted a sign on his office door warning supporters of President Barack Obama to find a different doctor.The notice on Dr. Jack Cassell's Mount Dora practice says, "If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere. Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years."
Cassell told the Orlando Sentinel on Thursday he wasn't questioning patients or refusing care, because that would be unethical.

"But if they read the sign and turn the other way, so be it," he said.Cassell, 56, also provides Republican reading material in the waiting room â€” probably not a risky move, given that Mount Dora's 10,000 residents and the surrounding area lean heavily conservative. Above a stack of GOP health care literature, a sign reads: "This is what the morons in Washington have done to your health care. Take one, read it and vote out anyone who voted for it."A spokeswoman from the Florida Department of Health, which licenses physicians and investigates complaints, said Friday there was no law prohibiting Cassell from advertising himself this way.
"Because there is no statute, there would be no grounds for a complaint," spokeswoman Eulinda Smith said. "It would be legally deficient,"

A University of Florida professor said Cassell is walking a thin line between free speech and professional obligation. William Allen, a specialist in bioethics, law and medical professionalism, said civil rights protections can prevent patient discrimination. But the law only provides for race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and disability â€” not political opinion.
Allen said Cassell may be within his rights if he doesn't quiz patients about their politics and hasn't refused to see anyone.
"(He's) trying to hold onto the nub of his ethical obligation," Allen said. "But this is pushing the limit."

Cassell has been practicing in the area since 1988. His wife, Leslie Campione, is a lawyer and GOP candidate for the county commission.
Cassell says most patients have been extremely supportive, though three had complained.
"They know it's not good for them," Cassell said.
Click to expand...

Source

Well...that's....yeah.

Do you think he crossed a line?

Rho · Apr 7, 2010

This is pretty much just like that ****** who refused candy on Halloween to kids whose parents were going to vote for Obama.

The doctor's obviously a moron anyway, I wouldn't want to trust the guy with my health and all that.

Ars Nova · Apr 9, 2010

Rho said: ↑

The doctor's obviously a moron anyway, I wouldn't want to trust the guy with my health and all that.
Click to expand...

That's a little harsh. So maybe the guy's a bit radical; that doesn't automatically mean that he's incompetent at everything. He's been practicing for a long time, and I'm sure he knows his craft. Political stance has nothing to do with professionalism... unless you're in politics.

Frankly, I share the sentiment of Mr. Allen: He is definitely pushing the limit. But he himself said it would be unethical to question people or refuse treatment, so he seems to know his boundaries. He's definitely not the most radical to speak out against this bill. As long as he doesn't start actively turning people away, I suppose there's nothing for it.

Umiyuri Papaeyra · Apr 9, 2010

I think he's crossed a line, yes.

You do NOT turn away patients. You do NOT discriminate because of political opinion. You do NOT force your political opinion on others.

I'm sorry, but any positive opinion I might have had of this man has now dropped to zero.

Boy Wonder · Apr 9, 2010

Umiyuri Papaeyra said: ↑

You do NOT turn away patients. You do NOT discriminate because of political opinion. You do NOT force your political opinion on others.
Click to expand...

That's just it. He's not turning anyone away or discriminating directly. Like he said, he won't question people about it or turn them away, but if they see the sign and leave (even though that's probably his plan), that's their decision to turn away, not his forcing them to.

The laws of discrimination say nothing about political views. I'm 85% sure it's illegal for employers to discriminate for that, but general discrimination doesn't include political opinions.

Log in or Sign up

Urologist warns Obama supporters to "seek urologic care elsewhere"

Boy Wonder Dark Phoenix in Training

Contributor

Rho Twilight Town Denizen

Ars Nova Just a ghost.

Premium

Umiyuri Papaeyra Gummi Ship Junkie

Boy Wonder Dark Phoenix in Training

Contributor