Thread: Doctor fighting county is fired

Doctor fighting county is fired
By Ed Fletcher - Bee Staff Writer

Published 12:00 am PDT Saturday, August 25, 2007

The Sacramento County physician fighting to end the county's practice of providing medical care to illegal immigrants was fired earlier this month.

Dr. Gene Rogers said he was terminated Aug. 6 "in retaliation for whistle-blowing."

A county spokeswoman, citing privacy rules, said she couldn't comment on why Rogers was let go.

In his 2003 suit, Rogers alleged the county was putting public funds at risk by providing nonemergency medical care to undocumented residents -- in violation of federal law.

The case, in which Rogers represented himself, was dismissed largely on technical grounds. He is appealing.

Sacramento County doesn't ask for proof of citizenship when providing medical care at its county clinics. However, the county estimates that up to 4,000 undocumented immigrants will be treated by the County Medically Indigent Services Program in the 2007-2008 budget years at a cost of $2.2 million.

While Rogers said he was "concerned" that disease-carrying illegal immigrants are working in the community, many in the public health industry would argue that not treating those undocumented workers would present a greater risk to the general public.

The indigent care program provides nonemergency medical care to those who can't afford long-term care.

In a telephone interview, Rogers said he would continue his legal fight against the county's practice and plans to take his former employer to court over his firing.

"I'm planning on hiring an attorney -- a good one," Rogers said.

Rogers, who previously worked as physician at McClellan Air Force Base, was hired by the county in 1999 to serve as a medical director overseeing the indigent health program.

Late last year, Rogers said, the county changed his job description and gave him unreasonably difficult objectives.

In the months that followed, he said, the county prepared to fire him by giving him unfavorable reviews.

Rogers' annual salary was $189,000.

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/343800.html

Now there's a brave stand-up doctor and in that area?

many in the public health industry would argue that not treating those undocumented workers would present a greater risk to the general public.

Deportation solves that problem. They shouldn't be here killing us with the diseases they brought with them.

Dixie

How can we help this Dr. out? Can anyone provide some pro bono here?

Can you donate for this guy's legal fees?

we should try to help this guy out

Surely there is an attorney among us who could help us all by representing this doctor.