Welcome to

11 years after the suing the state over low payments for treating children, A leading pediatrician was asked to start paying some of the states overhead at a children’s clinic. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the request came just days after the pediatricians won their lawsuit.

Dr. Louis St. Petrey was the lead doctor who sued the state over low pay for kids services. It argued Doctors treating adults for the same issues were getting twice as much.

“Children don’t have access because physicians and dentists don’t get paid enough for them to be willing to see the children” said the pediatric cardiologist.

After a decade of litigation and negotiation, the suit has settled.

“Nothing’s different today that it was yesterday as far as access for kids. But, number one, we;re to be meeting with them. That’;s a big change. that’s wonderful” says St. Petery

But that’s where the story turns ugly.

A week ago St. Petery got an email from a top official at the Department of Health. It asked him to start paying 14 hundred dollars a year  toward overhead at a state clinic where he treats kids.

So we asked:”I just want to be clear: you are performing services for the state, at a reduce rate, in their facility, and they wanted to charge you?”

His answer:”Yes sir, that’s exactly right.” “Wow?”  Yeah, I thought maybe it was an April Fools joke.”

St. Petery did not use the word “retaliation’” But after reporters started asking, the state backed down, ,saying the idea came from consultants doing a legislatively mandated review. It concluded. At this point, the Department will wait until the review is final to take any further action.

Dr. St. Petery founded this clinic back in the 1970’s. He still spends three or four half days a week here.

The official who sent the email has since left the Department. but the episode is proof positive that it’s always difficult to fight big government.

St. Petrey has been critical of the state before over treatment for kids, He also publicly opposed the confirmation of Surgeon general John Armstrong, who was not confirmed by the state Senate and had to resign.