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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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 INVESTIGATION 
18

Fake GOP Panel Recruits Docs in Health Reform Battle

Fraudulent 'Physicians' Council' uses names without permission

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(Newser) – Republican members of Congress have been touting a "Physicians' Council for Responsible Reform," which supposedly consists of 100-odd doctors working with the GOP leadership in the fight against Obamacare. In fact, writes Timothy Noah for Slate, the council doesn't exist; it's a PR exercise, not to mention a hustle to get rich doctors to donate to the party. Many of the physicians listed on a draft press release hadn't even been contacted.

A friend of Noah's received the proposed press release, with his name included as a "concerned doctor," even though he had no political inclination to join. The phone number on the release led not to the Georgia congressman headlining the effort, but a call center pretending to be the Physician's Council. And several of the contacts listed on the press material seem not to exist at all.

Doctors at a meeting in Richmond. A so-called 'Physicians' Concil for Responsible Reform' propagated by the Republican Party turns out not to exist.
Doctors at a meeting in Richmond. A so-called 'Physicians' Concil for Responsible Reform' propagated by the Republican Party turns out not to exist.   (©Waldo Jaquith)
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Quite obviously there is no Physicians' Council for Responsible Reform. Serving on a real council requires some commitment of time. The real purpose is to identify doctors riled up enough about Obamacare that they'll give money to the NRCC. -

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18 comments
VIEWING:
 
OWLWOMANXXXX
Sep 4, 09 7:25 AM CDT
THOU SHALT NOT LIE LIE LIE LIE Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+8
IN RESPONSE:
Citrixguy
Sep 4, 09 8:04 AM CDT
Tell that to pelosi
Vote up! Vote down!
-8
IN RESPONSE:
Spudsy
Sep 4, 09 12:23 PM CDT
Thou shalt not little lie. This is really a tiny one compared to the ones that killed 4000 heroes in Iraq. And I wish that Obama would go after someone on those lies.
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Adapt-Overcome
Sep 7, 09 12:30 AM CDT
Citrixguy: Stay on subject. Pelosi had nothing to with the this mess. And she's not out trying to portray that the Dems had 100 Doctors that are supporting them on the Reform or using them for political or financial gain. Get with the program.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
Doctor_Zaius
Sep 4, 09 7:35 AM CDT
Wow, people must be stupid to fall for this type of thing. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+5

View all 18 comments »

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