Awkward Test for Scott if He Wins FL. (NYT). Documents show his complaints against his company

[Orlandodem]

have been referred to the state. Who nominates the head of the FL Department of Health? You got it - the governor!!!

Pass this along. Post to Facebook. Post on newspaper websites/blogs. NOW!!!!

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/29/awkward-test-for-scott-if-he-wins-in-florida/?partner=rss&emc=rss



Awkward Test for Scott if He Wins in Florida
By SARAH WHEATON
If his bid to be Florida’s next governor is successful, Rick Scott could find himself in the awkward position of choosing his own inquisitor. New documents show that complaints into a chain of clinics he ran have been referred to the state health department, whose head is appointed by the governor.

Throughout the close race against Alex Sink, his Democratic opponent, Mr. Scott has stressed that he was never charged with wrongdoing when the health care conglomerate he built, Columbia/HCA, was fined with $1.7 billion for defrauding government health programs in 1997.

But Mr. Scott’s campaign has dismissed accusations about Solantic, a chain of health clinics he ran after his ouster from Columbia/HCA. Among them are allegations from a former employee that Solantic overbilled Medicare, Medicaid and a government health agency for veterans, and prescribed unnecessary drugs for patients to buy through Solantic’s internal pharmacy.

In August, the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration referred the formal complaint to Florida’s Department of Health, according to documents obtained by The Naples Daily News from a public information request.

While it is unclear whether the health department is pursuing the complaint, Mr. Scott told the newspaper on Thursday that, if elected, he would “recuse myself from any involvement” in any investigation into Solantic. “I’m going to appoint the head of the position, but I’m not going to be involved in any decisions,” he said.

Mr. Scott’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

[RockaFowler]

1. Go Alex

So she can put the person in there to destroy Rick Scott. I can't believe it's as close as it is.