CARMEL, CA: Dr. Bergstrom was arrested based on a report of sexual assault after a night of drinking.
During the trial, the prosecution produced an audiotape which Dr.
Bergstrom had accidentally created when he left his office dictation
machine on. Dr. Bergstrom was heard buying cocaine, using cocaine, and
trading cocaine for sex on the 5.5 hours-long audiotape. Dr. Bergstrom
admitted at trial that he traded prescription drugs for cocaine.
The audiotape also recorded Dr. Bergstrom issuing medical orders,
dictating patient chart notes, and providing telephone consultations to
patients after using, and while under the influence of, cocaine.
During the trial, two other women testified that they were similarly
assaulted by Dr. Bergstrom. Both testified that they believed that they
may have been drugged.
Dr. Bergstrom was ultimately sentenced to prison for felony sexual
battery. As a result, Dr. Bergstrom's medical license was revoked.
Sources: http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/default.aspx?licenseType=G&licenseNumber=59866
http://www.fugitive.com/2009/09/28/doctor-carl-bergstrom-of-carmel-sentenced-to-six-years-prison-for-forcible-sodomy/
http://www.montereyherald.com/ci_22451966/carmel-physician-carl-bergstrom-be-released-from-jail
Proposition 46, the Troy and Alana Pack Patient Safety Act, will
enact the first law in the nation to require random drug and alcohol
tests of physicians in hospitals, modeled after the Federal Aviation
Administration testing program that has successfully reduced substance
abuse by pilots. Doctors found to be impaired on the job will have their
license suspended. If Prop 46 had been in effect, Dr. Bergstrom's drug
abuse may have been detected, possibly preventing threats to patient
safety in the process.
Hall of Shame: Insurance Companies Backing No on 46
NorCal Mutual Insurance Company $11,000,000.00
The Doctors Company $10,500,000.00
Cooperative of American Physicians $10,161,489.04
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan $5,000,000.00
Medical Insurance Exchange of California $5,000,000.00
The Dentists Insurance Company $1,620,000.00
The Mutual Risk Retention Group $1,000,000.00
All Insurers: $44,613,583.22
Total: $59,169,984.79
Insurance companies have spent nearly $45 million dollars to oppose Prop
46 in order to shield dangerous doctors like Dr. Bergstrom from
punishment, at the expense of patient safety, in order to protect their
already substantial profits. In total, the opposition to Prop 46 has
over $59 million dollars in their warchest, outspending consumer and
patient safety advocates more than 8:1.
Learn more about Proposition 46 and the campaign for patient safety at: www.yeson46.org
-30-
Paid for by Yes on Prop. 46, Your Neighbors for Patient Safety, a
Coalition of Consumer Attorneys and Patient Safety Advocates - major
funding by Consumer Attorneys of California Issues and Initiative
Defense Political Action Committees and Kabateck, Brown, Kellner, LLP.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Redondo Beach Doctor Facing Multiple Drug Charges, Arrested Again On 2 Million Prescription Drug Stash
#yeson46
Another case for those who are still wondering about Yes On 46, These doctors need to be put on watch. Prop 46 will prevent doctor turned drug dealers from operating. It must be really profitable than actual medical work.
A Redondo Beach doctor already charged in two drug cases was arrested Tuesday on charges that he illegally possessed an estimated $2 million in diet pills and other prescription drugs that were found in a Long Beach storage facility.
Dr. Gerard Geoffrey Goryl, who had been barred from possessing narcotics as a result of the two previous pending cases, is now charged with 18 felony drug-related counts in a third case.
The neurologist pleaded not guilty to the latest charges, which include eight counts of possession of narcotics with a restricted license and 10 counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Goryl, 59, was taken into custody after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Redondo Beach Police Department determined that he had a storage locker containing an estimated 500,000 diet pills and other prescription drugs, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The physician was ordered to remain in jail on $1 million bail in connection with the latest case. He had been free on $1 million bail and $120,000 bail in the other two cases against him.
Goryl, who ran a medical clinic called A Better Weigh on Artesia Boulevard, was first arrested in June and charged with nine felony counts involving allegations that he sold prescription drugs to undercover officers.
He was rearrested in August and charged with eight felony counts alleging that he was continuing to sell a prescription diet pill despite being barred from doing so.
A date is scheduled to be set Nov. 17 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
If convicted in all three cases, he faces up to 36 years and eight months behind bars, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Thanks for the link Michael
Another case for those who are still wondering about Yes On 46, These doctors need to be put on watch. Prop 46 will prevent doctor turned drug dealers from operating. It must be really profitable than actual medical work.
A Redondo Beach doctor already charged in two drug cases was arrested Tuesday on charges that he illegally possessed an estimated $2 million in diet pills and other prescription drugs that were found in a Long Beach storage facility.
Dr. Gerard Geoffrey Goryl, who had been barred from possessing narcotics as a result of the two previous pending cases, is now charged with 18 felony drug-related counts in a third case.
The neurologist pleaded not guilty to the latest charges, which include eight counts of possession of narcotics with a restricted license and 10 counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Goryl, 59, was taken into custody after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Redondo Beach Police Department determined that he had a storage locker containing an estimated 500,000 diet pills and other prescription drugs, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The physician was ordered to remain in jail on $1 million bail in connection with the latest case. He had been free on $1 million bail and $120,000 bail in the other two cases against him.
Goryl, who ran a medical clinic called A Better Weigh on Artesia Boulevard, was first arrested in June and charged with nine felony counts involving allegations that he sold prescription drugs to undercover officers.
He was rearrested in August and charged with eight felony counts alleging that he was continuing to sell a prescription diet pill despite being barred from doing so.
A date is scheduled to be set Nov. 17 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
If convicted in all three cases, he faces up to 36 years and eight months behind bars, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Thanks for the link Michael
Doctors That Harm - The Real Stories Insurance Companies Against Prop 46 Don't Want You To Know:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- After suspicious behavior and inconsistencies
were revealed in a routine audit of controlled substances, Dr. Trindle
was asked to submit to a drug test. He tested positive for Fentanyl.
At the time, Dr. Trindle was participating in a now-defunct diversion program for substance abusing physicians. Doctors were allowed to continue to practice and keep their substance abuse secret from patients. After failing five state audits, this program no longer exists; currently, there is no program for substance abusing doctors to get the help they need. Dr. Trindle eventually failed out of the program.
After his positive drug test, the Medical Board opened an investigation. Dr. Trindle admitted to a Medical Board investigator that he had stolen Fentanyl, Sufenta, and Propofol from his hospital. He also admitted to working at the hospital while under the influence. The Medical Board called Dr. Trindle's actions "potentially injurious to the patients at the hospital that he was treating."
Before the Medical Board could discipline Dr. Trindle for being impaired at work, Dr. Trindle caused a car crash with a blood alcohol level of 0.19%, more than double the legal limit. Even though the other driver had been hurt, Dr. Trindle fled the scene. He was eventually caught and arrested.
The Medical Board placed Dr. Trindle on probation, requiring random drug screenings. While on probation, Dr. Trindle tested positive for alcohol – a blatant violation of his probation. Two months later, Dr. Trindle again tested positive for alcohol. Still, the Medical Board did nothing. Finally, a positive drug test for cocaine eventually led to Dr. Trindle's surrender of his medical license.
Sources: http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/default.aspx?licenseType=G&licenseNumber=63287
Proposition 46, the Troy and Alana Pack Patient Safety Act, will enact the first law in the nation to require random drug and alcohol tests of physicians in hospitals, modeled after the Federal Aviation Administration testing program that has successfully reduced substance abuse by pilots. Doctors found to be impaired on the job will have their license suspended. If Prop 46 had been in effect, Dr. Trindle’s drug and alcohol abuse may have been detected, possibly preventing threats to patient safety in the process.
Hall of Shame: Insurance Companies Backing No on 46
NorCal Mutual Insurance Company $11,000,000.00
Cooperative of American Physicians $10,161,489.04
The Doctors Company $10,000,000.00
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan $5,000,000.00
Medical Insurance Exchange of California $5,000,000.00
The Dentists Insurance Company $1,620,000.00
The Mutual Risk Retention Group $1,000,000.00
All Insurers: $43,916,007.28
Total: $58,465,858.90
Insurance companies have spent nearly $44 million dollars to oppose Prop 46 in order to shield dangerous doctors like Dr. Trindle from punishment, at the expense of patient safety, in order to protect their already substantial profits. In total, the opposition to Prop 46 has over $58 million dollars in their warchest, outspending consumer and patient safety advocates more than 8:1.
Learn more about Proposition 46 and the campaign for patient safety at: www.yeson46.org
(The original article states the following but we were not paid for publishing this, We are doing it on our own free will)
Paid for by Yes on Prop. 46, Your Neighbors for Patient Safety, a Coalition of Consumer Attorneys and Patient Safety Advocates - major funding by Consumer Attorneys of California Issues and Initiative Defense Political Action Committees and Kabateck, Brown, Kellner, LLP.
At the time, Dr. Trindle was participating in a now-defunct diversion program for substance abusing physicians. Doctors were allowed to continue to practice and keep their substance abuse secret from patients. After failing five state audits, this program no longer exists; currently, there is no program for substance abusing doctors to get the help they need. Dr. Trindle eventually failed out of the program.
After his positive drug test, the Medical Board opened an investigation. Dr. Trindle admitted to a Medical Board investigator that he had stolen Fentanyl, Sufenta, and Propofol from his hospital. He also admitted to working at the hospital while under the influence. The Medical Board called Dr. Trindle's actions "potentially injurious to the patients at the hospital that he was treating."
Before the Medical Board could discipline Dr. Trindle for being impaired at work, Dr. Trindle caused a car crash with a blood alcohol level of 0.19%, more than double the legal limit. Even though the other driver had been hurt, Dr. Trindle fled the scene. He was eventually caught and arrested.
The Medical Board placed Dr. Trindle on probation, requiring random drug screenings. While on probation, Dr. Trindle tested positive for alcohol – a blatant violation of his probation. Two months later, Dr. Trindle again tested positive for alcohol. Still, the Medical Board did nothing. Finally, a positive drug test for cocaine eventually led to Dr. Trindle's surrender of his medical license.
Sources: http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/default.aspx?licenseType=G&licenseNumber=63287
Proposition 46, the Troy and Alana Pack Patient Safety Act, will enact the first law in the nation to require random drug and alcohol tests of physicians in hospitals, modeled after the Federal Aviation Administration testing program that has successfully reduced substance abuse by pilots. Doctors found to be impaired on the job will have their license suspended. If Prop 46 had been in effect, Dr. Trindle’s drug and alcohol abuse may have been detected, possibly preventing threats to patient safety in the process.
Hall of Shame: Insurance Companies Backing No on 46
NorCal Mutual Insurance Company $11,000,000.00
Cooperative of American Physicians $10,161,489.04
The Doctors Company $10,000,000.00
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan $5,000,000.00
Medical Insurance Exchange of California $5,000,000.00
The Dentists Insurance Company $1,620,000.00
The Mutual Risk Retention Group $1,000,000.00
All Insurers: $43,916,007.28
Total: $58,465,858.90
Insurance companies have spent nearly $44 million dollars to oppose Prop 46 in order to shield dangerous doctors like Dr. Trindle from punishment, at the expense of patient safety, in order to protect their already substantial profits. In total, the opposition to Prop 46 has over $58 million dollars in their warchest, outspending consumer and patient safety advocates more than 8:1.
Learn more about Proposition 46 and the campaign for patient safety at: www.yeson46.org
(The original article states the following but we were not paid for publishing this, We are doing it on our own free will)
Paid for by Yes on Prop. 46, Your Neighbors for Patient Safety, a Coalition of Consumer Attorneys and Patient Safety Advocates - major funding by Consumer Attorneys of California Issues and Initiative Defense Political Action Committees and Kabateck, Brown, Kellner, LLP.
Insurance Companies Resorts To Koch Brothers Tactics.Against Prop 45.
 |
| From Hoover.org Poll, Follow the link below to read the whole report |
The health insurance companies spending $57 million to defeat Prop 45's rate relief are using a page from the "Creepy Uncle Sam" advertisements circulated by Koch Brothers groups against Obamacare in mailers sent to women across the state.Sending mailer across the state.
They must be getting desperate because today a new Hoover Institution Poll puts Proposition 45 ahead by 12 points, 42% to 30% just seven days before the Election.
View the poll: http://www.hoover.org/sites/default/files/golden-state-poll-october-2014-results.pdf
Linda Raffel of Los Angeles and an Anthem Blue Cross individual policyholder said, “My premium has more than quadrupled, and co-pays have skyrocketed. I’m getting $196 worth of health insurance for $854 a month. It’s my insurance company and huge costs, not Prop 45, that are standing in between me and the treatment my doctors recommend. Prop 45 will make sure I get the coverage I pay for.”
Proposition 45 will require health insurance companies to open their books and justify premium increases, under penalty of perjury, before they take effect. It does not effect treatment options – it prevents health insurance companies from charging an excessive price for coverage. 35 other states already regulate health insurance rates, but not California. Prop 45 would simply extend California’s existing regulation of auto, home and business insurance that has saved drivers $102 billion since 1988, to health insurance companies.
For more visit: www.YesOn45.org
More about the mailer at Consumer Watchdog.
Monday, October 27, 2014
What Insurance Companies Are Spending To Stop Prop 45!
We have no affiliations to anyone but we really like what http://www.yeson45.org/ and http://www.consumerwatchdog.org are doing to educate Californians and to debunk deceptive advertising by insurance companies. The David v Goliath campaign has been outspent by insurance companies by more than 25 to 1. Look at what insurance companies are spending to stop Proposition 45, and these monies came from you and I.
Proposition 45:
• Requires health insurance companies to publicly disclose and justify, under penalty of perjury, proposed rate hikes before they take effect.
• Gives Californians the right to challenge excessive and unfair premium rate increases.
• Authorizes the elected insurance commissioner to reject unjustified rate increases, a power that is the law in 35 other states, but that no California official or agency has today.
Please vote, and vote wisely.
Father Marquez Actor in "Modern Family", Used As A Phony Hardware Store Owner By Insurance Companies Against "Yes On 45" Campaign!
"Health
insurance companies will stop at nothing to defeat Prop 45, including
using an actor to portray a small business owner claiming to be against
the ballot measure without revealing that he is a fake businessman,"
said Consumer Watchdog Advocate Liza Tucker. The tactic could violate
campaign disclosure laws and the consumer group has asked the Fair
Political Practices Commission to investigate, she said.
Under California campaign laws, a TV ad must disclose on screen that an actor is being paid if the payment tops $5,000. Any payment of more than $500 must be disclosed in required financial filings. There is no disclosure that Efrain Figueroa, who has appeared in roles such as Father Marquez in "Modern Family" and Jorge Machado
in "The Shield" is an actor in the ad and financial filings don't show a
payment to him. Figueroa plays "George" in the No campaign's TV ad,
supposedly a small business owner opposed to Prop 45. KCRA's AdWatch
judges rated it a D Plus for vagueness and "hiding something." San Jose Mercury News said, New anti-Prop. 45 TV ad misleads viewers. But Perhaps the actor just trying to survive or a Desperate Measures to stay alive, better yet, to pay his health bills. So forgive him but the deceptive Insurance Companies like Health Net.
View Figueroa appearing as George in the ad here:
View Figueroa's extensive acting credits here:
Press Release;
View Figueroa's extensive acting credits here:
Press Release;
SANTA MONICA, Calif., /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Health Insurer HealthNet has chipped in nearly $5 million
to defeat Prop 45 in a sign that the health insurance industry fears
rate regulation that a yes vote on the proposition would bring, Consumer
Watchdog said today. The insurance pot against Prop 45 now totals $43 million to pay for misleading and deceptive TV ads, radio spots, and "independent" opinion pieces.
"Health
insurance companies will stop at nothing to defeat Prop 45, including
using an actor to portray a small business owner claiming to be against
the ballot measure without revealing that he is a fake businessman,"
said Consumer Watchdog Advocate Liza Tucker. The tactic could violate
campaign disclosure laws and the consumer group has asked the Fair
Political Practices Commission to investigate, she said.
Under California campaign laws, a TV ad must disclose on screen that an actor is being paid if the payment tops $5,000. Any payment of more than $500 must be disclosed in required financial filings. There is no disclosure that Efrain Figueroa, who has appeared in roles such as Father Marquez in "Modern Family" and Jorge Machado
in "The Shield" is an actor in the ad and financial filings don't show a
payment to him. Figueroa plays "George" in the No campaign's TV ad,
supposedly a small business owner opposed to Prop 45. KCRA's AdWatch
judges rated it a D Plus for vagueness and "hiding something."
View Figueroa appearing as George in the ad here: http://stophighercosts.org/ads-small-business-owners/
View Figueroa's extensive acting credits here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0276691/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t48
"Health
insurance companies are running scared that voters will actually vote
Prop 45 into law," said Tucker. "When was the last time you saw health
insurance companies spend this kind of money on your behalf? Now that
everyone has to buy heath insurance, these companies are too busy
growing billions in excess reserves through uncontrolled price gouging
that we have no way to stop."
HealthNet
is one of five health insurance companies that are the sole funders of
the campaign. Nurses and doctors in whose name the campaign operates
haven't contributed a penny. HealthNet's private market share in California stands at 8 percent. "The amount of money they are kicking in shows a rising desperation to stave off regulation," said Tucker.
Prop
45 would give the state's elected insurance commissioner, who answers
to voters, the power to make insurance companies open their books and
justify their premium hikes and to reject excessive rates. It would
allow consumer groups to challenge excessive and unfair premium
increases. No federal or California state agency currently has the power to do so, despite what insurance companies say. Recently, regulators determined that $250 million in premium hikes were excessive but could do nothing to stop them. They went into effect anyway.
35 other states have a system of preapproval of health insurance rate hikes, but not California. "Prop 45 is the missing piece of the Affordable Care Act now that everyone has to buy health insurance," said Tucker.
HealthNet CEO since 1998, Jay Gellert, was paid a salary of more than $9 million in 2013. The company has $4.7 billion in assets, and its second quarter profits were $120 million
— a 70 percent jump over the entire year's profits in 2013. "Health
insurance companies are holding far more in reserve than the state
requires," said Tucker.
The companies stand to lose some of what consumers will gain as it is estimated Prop 45 will save them up to $1 billion a year. Rate regulation for auto and home insurance, passed in 1988, and on which Prop 45 is modeled, has saved consumers $102 billion.
To learn more about Prop 45 visit: http://www.yeson45.org
Paid
for by Consumer Watchdog Campaign – Yes on 45, a coalition of consumer
advocates, nurses, attorneys, and policyholders. 777 S. Figueroa St.,
Ste. 4050, Los Angeles, CA 90017. Major Funding by Consumer Watchdog Campaign and California Nurses Association.
SOURCE Consumer Watchdog