Obama Camp's Many Ties To Wife's Employer

Washington Post: Michelle, Barack, David Axelrod And The University Of Chicago

(Washingtonpost.com) 
The hospital told state regulators it spent $10 million on charity care for the poor in fiscal 2007 -- 1.3 percent of its total hospital expenses, according to an analysis performed for The Washington Post by the bipartisan, nonprofit Center for Tax and Budget Accountability. That is below the 2.1 percent average for nonprofit hospitals in Cook County.

As a nonprofit, the University of Chicago Medical Center receives annual tax breaks worth nearly five times as much as it spends on charity care, the analysis found.

Sullivan, spokeswoman for the hospital, said the institution's commitment to the community extends beyond charity care to include research and treatment of a large number of patients covered by Medicaid.

"It's very important to consider the broader benefit that hospitals, and in this case, the University of Chicago hospitals, provide to their communities," said Peters of the hospital association.

Still, Quentin Young, the South Side physician, described the medical center's level of charity spending as "ludicrous." Young, known in Chicago for having been the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s personal physician, is chairman of the Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, a Chicago-based nonprofit that advocates health-care reform. Young considered himself an ally of Barack Obama while he was a state legislator.

"That's shameful," Young said of the percentages. "They are arguably, if not defrauding, then at least taking advantage of a public subsidy. We would like to see them give more than the minimum. The need is there."

One of Michelle Obama's signature efforts has been working to relieve crowding in the emergency room, the second-busiest in Chicago. It logs 80,000 visits a year.

Backed by a federal grant, Michelle Obama in 2005 launched the South Side Health Collaborative, under which counselors advise patients with noncritical needs that they can receive care elsewhere at a reduced cost. The medical center said in a report that some patients "make frequent visits to the ER because no one in the family has a personal doctor."

"Obama's goal is to connect people in the community with doctors at [community health] centers, to let them know that they can use those physicians on a regular basis instead of ignoring symptoms until they send them to the ER, where care can cost five times more."

The hospital report quotes Michelle Obama as saying, "The world is seeping in, and our salvation will be the success of our partners" at local clinics.

Obama's program has enjoyed favorable news media coverage in Chicago and was eventually expanded into a broader program, the Urban Health Initiative. Under the effort, the hospital has started providing selected clinics with part-time medical personnel and has given $350,000 to enable a nearby clinic to nearly double in size.

Center executives said the initiative, on which they spent $2 million last year, could be a national model. Critics, however, describe the program as an attempt to ensure that the hospital retains only affluent patients with insurance.

"If you put enough money into it, you could save a whole bunch of community health centers," Young said. "But to date, they haven't."

Edward Novak, president of Chicago's Sacred Heart Hospital, declined to discuss the center's initiative in particular but dismissed as "bull" attempts to justify such programs as good for patients. "What they're really saying is, 'Don't use our emergency room because it will cost us money, and we don't want the public-aid population,' " Novak said.

Selling the Idea

In December 2006, the medical center hired a public relations firm, ASK Public Strategies, to help sell the Urban Health Initiative. ASK is co-owned by Axelrod, Obama's chief campaign strategist.

ASK was selected on the recommendation of Michelle Obama, Sher and Jarrett, according to Sullivan, the hospital spokeswoman. "Axelrod has a love affair with UC, and is arguably the best in the country at public affairs," Sullivan said in an e-mail.

ASK started work in January 2007; the next month, Barack Obama launched his campaign.

The firm delivered its report in May 2007 saying that, while nurses were generally favorable about the Urban Health Initiative, "primary care doctors were more negative, viewing it as a break with UCMC's community commitment."

An April 2007 draft report from the medical center's polling firm, Peter D. Hart Research Associates, said focus groups suggested that "enough latent suspicion toward the hospital and university as elitist exists to ensure that a political attack against the Urban Health Initiative as deceptive and self-serving would find fertile ground."

While most of those surveyed expressed favorable views of the center and its program, critics complained of arrogance and a lack of empathy, the report said.

"More than a few staff members -- particularly medical staff -- express strongly worded concern or disappointment with UCMC in its commitment to the community," the report said.

One survey question asked for reaction to a particular criticism that had been leveled:

"This new health initiative is not really about helping the residents of the South Side of Chicago. It is simply a way for the University of Chicago Medical Center to save money and reduce costs by serving fewer poor people without health insurance."

ASK's report emphasized the need to be transparent and acknowledge that the hospital was pursuing the initiative in its own self-interest, as well as that of patients. It also stressed that in selling the program to the public, "credible validators are critical; public health experts and ministers trump politicians."

What the Neighbors Say

The medical center appears to have enacted some of the ASK report's recommendations but not others; the name was not changed.

"I've had some complaints from my constituents," said Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, a former teacher who represents Chicago's 4th Ward and who will be an Obama delegate at the Democratic National Convention. "It's hard to know whether this is motivated by the interests of the patients or by the financial interests of the medical center."

Asked her personal conclusion, Preckwinkle paused. "They have decided they need to have as many paying patients as possible," she said. "That's all I'm going to say."

Jeffrey Schaider, chairman of emergency medicine at nearby John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, also is skeptical. Schaider said his emergency room welcomes all patients, whether or not their maladies ultimately prove urgent. Lower-income workers also often find it difficult to visit clinics, which have limited hours, he said.

"Often, the patients think it's something serious when it's happening to them," Schaider said. "And a lot of the time, the patients are right."

Database editor Sarah Cohen and staff writer Matthew Mosk contributed to this report.

[nursehope]

Non-emergent care is destroying our ERs and draining our tax dollars. $1200 for a cut on the finger? Does that make sense to anybody? Filling up the ERs with patients w/ minor medical needs when your loved needs help because he or she is dying? Does that make sence to you? ERs cost money because of the high overhead, high staffing levels and equiptment costs and malpractice insurance, not because of paying an administrators salary. Our hospitals are in trouble people! Most people misuse the ERs because of lack of available alternatives or because they have no money or insurance (Thanks GOP!) Once they walk through that door they must be treated. We need more people like Michelle Obama in this world. Kudos Michelle you''ll make a great Fisrt Lady!

[broncfan1661]

So the Obamas are going to fix the nations Healthcare system. If this is representative of their method of fixing, we can look forward to further segragation of our healthcare. The best hospitals for the rich and a lot of 9 to 5 clinics for the rest of us.

[besscannon-2009]

I guess the only reason the Obama''s don''t have more houses is probably they haven''t had time to acquire them. Soundslike the "elistist" two have enough financial means just as McCain. This "house" bit is silly and sounds like desparation on Obama camp''s side.

[dnsallday]

Setting up health clinics so people aren''t using the ER for non critical issues. Spending a small amount of money instead of the thousands it costs for an ER visit, which the taxpayer gets the bill for when the people are uninsured. Somebody coming up with ideas and implementing them.
Gee that is terrible. I can imagine the Republicans really hate that.

[dnsallday]

Say "Hello President McCain!" The sexist pigs at the DNC need to be sent a message.


Posted by Bec67 at 05:51 AM :
******************************************************* Yeah, we''ll show em, we''ll elect a well documented sexist pig by the name of John MCain.
That is great if you think you think John McCain should have power over you because he thinks it too.

[wellhell3]

So, it costs $1200 to stick a band aid on a kid''s finger or take their temperature and prescribe some antibiotics, which takes all of 15 minutes?

Or some little old lady comes in suffering from arthritis and they prescribe some NSAID and it costs $1200 for 15 minutes? And at most maybe a blood test?

Paying MicHELLe''s salary of $317,000 only requires 264 patients at $1200. And Axelrod provided for them about a $1 million marketing scam.

No WONDER it cost $1200 for fifteen minutes worth of care. Nice of MicHELLe to fund an advertising scam to turn people away from the elitist hospital so they don''t have to deal with those cheap $1200/15 minutes people isn''t it? And still keep their non-profit status.

I''d say $317,000 is SOME NICE profit!

[greekman777]

I''M JUST AN ORDINARY CONCERNED CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.THE PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING SUCH A TERRIBLE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND I WILL TRY TO BRING THIER MESSAGE TO THE POLITICAL POWERS. I AM SO ANGRY, AND SO IS THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

WE NEED TO SPEND THE MONEY WE ARE WASTING ON THE WAR TO IMPROVE
OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, AND OUR HEALTHCARE.

ENOUGH OF THE FORECLOSURES THAT ARE OCCURING IN OUR COUNTRY.
I ALSO BELIEVE THAT OUTSOURCING HAS GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
OUR CITIZENS OUR OUT OF WORK BECAUSE MOST OF THEIR JOBS
ARE BEING OUTSOURCED.
THIS KEEPS THE PEOPLE OF THE U.SA OUT OF WORK, AND NOT NOT
INSURED.

GAS PRICES ARE HURTING ALL THE COMMON PEOPLE.

AT THIS RATE THERE WILL BE ONLY THE WELATHY RICH, AND THE POOR.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MIDDLE CLASS??

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR GREATEST ASSETS, AND WE NEED TO PROTECT THEIR FUTURE.


VISIT MY WEB SITE

BUSTED-LIKE-A-RAT.ORG .


LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR FRIENDS ARE FEELING THE PAIN OF THIS ECONOMY THAT IS DESTROYING LIVES.
THE COUNTRY IS IN SUCH ECONOMIC DISTRESS. WE NEED TO UNITE AS A NATION AND TELL OUR GOVERNMENT WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WE WON''T PUT UP WITH IT.

[bec67]

SO MUCH FOR CHANGE! Obama had the chance to select the most qualified woman, who actually received more popular votes then he did, and he chose an old, washed up, has been toad. WELL LADIES, we just got shafted again by this little self serving idiot! Say "Hello President McCain!" The sexist pigs at the DNC need to be sent a message.

[coryellco]

The Media should encourage people''''s efforts to do good rather than find faults with it. ANy good initiative will be criticized by someone or the other. The overall good should not be ignored. Obama and his team seems to have been involved in giving back to the society for some time now. Thats the way to go Obamas''''! We need that in our President.


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Posted by rm1813 at 01:26 PM : Aug 22, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- and while im thinking about it why does he have to use my money to do"good" when he wont even use his own money to help his own kin in that 6 by 9 hut......he even wants to use my money for that!!!!

[coryellco]

At least Obama''''s wife Michelle has an employer!


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Posted by truthspeake2 at 12:29 PM : Aug 22, 2008-------------------------------------------------------------- and aint it wonderfull how her employer doubled her pay when bho made senator....no conflict their ...or i their?

[coryellco]

The Media should encourage people''''s efforts to do good rather than find faults with it. ANy good initiative will be criticized by someone or the other. The overall good should not be ignored. Obama and his team seems to have been involved in giving back to the society for some time now. Thats the way to go Obamas''''! We need that in our President.


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Posted by rm1813 at 01:26 PM : Aug 22, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ so what your saying is look at the good intentions and not the results no matter how many people get hurt or left out because they had good intentions......good one do you even think before you type ...gray matter use it or lose it

[lopezf11]

At least Obama''''s wife Michelle has an employer!
Posted by truthspeake2

McCain''s wife is an employer.

[samthetvcat]

It kind of sheds a whole new light on the community organizer Obamas just to hear that they were working on the other side of the aisle, doesn''t it?

It sounds like Michelle''s role was to act as more of a collaborative bridge, but corporations (even non-profits, who can be the most corrupt corporations of all sometimes) and healthcare are touchy subjects with people so it''s kind of shocking to hear how they sort of ''schemed'' to put forth a ''rebranding'' initiative when the hospital''s only providing charity care at 1/10th of what they''re receiving in tax breaks. Very different picture from how Michelle''s role has been portrayed in the past.

Also, didn''t Barack give the University of Chicago hospitals an earmark?

You wouldn''t have thought there was enough on Barack to paint a potrait of him as one of those power-broker insiders milking the system, but now there''s this, Rezko, and his using technicalities to win his seat in the State senate . . . interesting . . .

[ragnar30066]

This is not good when all of our politicians need to marry a woman who can support them.

Well, at least that''s better than having to marry a woman whose grandfather made all the money.

[rm1813]

The Media should encourage people''s efforts to do good rather than find faults with it. ANy good initiative will be criticized by someone or the other. The overall good should not be ignored. Obama and his team seems to have been involved in giving back to the society for some time now. Thats the way to go Obamas''! We need that in our President.

[truthspeake2]

At least Obama''s wife Michelle has an employer!