Judge rules Limbaugh medical records to remain sealed for now

Associated Press ^ | 12-24-03 | JILL BARTON

[wallcrawlr]

A judge resealed Rush Limbaugh's medical records Wednesday, giving the conservative radio commentator's attorneys time to appeal his earlier decision allowing prosecutors to examine the files for evidence Limbaugh illegally purchased painkillers.

Palm Beach Circuit Judge Jeffrey A. Winikoff ordered the records remain sealed for 15 days while Limbaugh's attorneys pursue their appeal. Winikoff had ruled Tuesday that prosecutors could examine the records, but could not make them public.

[xzins]

Criminal not to tell them what other doctors have prescribed.

Criminal seems pretty bad news for this problem.

If I were a legislator, knowing that people sometimes get addicted to pain medication, I'd write the law such that those with a known medical condition not be considered criminal but instead be mandated for treatment at a rehab facility.

[evad]

For starters, 'they' leaked that he was part of a drug investigation, then that he was part of a drug ring, then he was the center of a money laundering scheme, then that he was involved in drug trafficing...on an on.

Now, since all of this wouldn't stick, they've gone to the infamous crime of 'doctor shopping'.

I repeat, these are vindictive RATs that are running the show.

[lady lawyer]

I'm not saying that's what I think the law SHOULD be. I'm just wondering if that is possible.

[BurbankKarl]

the more Rush whines every morning, the more I think he is guilty...

He can say they are treating them different all he wants, but he can beat them back with his show...

I switched to Jim Rome...

[cwb]

Bingo! I doctor shopped when my first doctor left the state because of outrageous insurance premiums. Because the proceeding doctors wouldn't prescribe me what I was taking before, I went through 3 doctors until I found one who would. In the mean time, I also took the medications they gave me until I could find that final doctor. Doctor shopping...bullshit. This is my right to find a doctor who would aggressivley treat my pain.

As a conservative, I am now doubting my allegiance to the GOP. When I see what is going on with Rush and Ashcroft's DOJ as they arrest doctors for treating patients, my anger is boiling. How can conservatives like Ashcroft oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide by saying we have these wonderful drugs to treat people's pain...but then we're going to prosecute doctors for doing just that.

This is a bigger issue than just what Rush is going through. It is effecting millions of chronic pain patients who are losing access to the medication they rely on to make their lives bareable. Politics is't just local...it's personal...and what some republicans are doing is personally affecting me. For the last 3 weeks I've seen Republican legislatures in Florida using the Oxycontin (and Rush) scare to attack doctors and patients who suffer intractable pain. This will change my perspective on who gets my vote.

[Howlin]

Actually, that was all in the National Enquirer articles. Most of that information came from the maid. I haven't seen any proof that the prosecutor himself is actually leaking, have you?

[wallcrawlr]

"the more Rush whines every morning, the more I think he is guilty..."

That seems well thought out. Very logical. You are probably right.

[Howlin]

Somebody on here last night said that in Florida it's the law that you have to disclose all prescriptions you have to every doctor you see.

[Revel]

You must be the same guy that does not like whinning from conservatives when they see there constitution being turned into toilet paper.

[Stentor]

oh yes, here it is!.... 4 doctors

I believe that two of those 4 treated him for his hearing loss.

[Swanks]

Mike Edmondson, who was the chief spokesman from the State attorney's office Here's the perp that should be tried and convicted for breaking the law. The mole in the State Atty's office that is leaking to the press.

Anyone got anything on him, like which Party (surprise) he give contributions to?

[BurbankKarl]

first it was...oh, there is nothing there...now its a 15 minute segment every morning, saying how he isn't being treated like a normal citizen... blahblahblah...maybe if he buys Michael Moore a 7 carat ring it will all go away.

[evad]

I haven't seen any proof that the prosecutor himself is actually leaking, have you?

Not the kind of proof that I can source for you in a URL but considering the preponderance of information, I have little doubt that's where it's coming from.

[Mr. Bird]

I'm of the opinion that the prosecutors should have (if they are going to pursue this after all) approached the doctors to determine probable cause, or even relevance. A physician, ultimately, is the only person with the proven expertise to determine if "doctor shopping" (in the criminal sense) has occurred.

Petitioning medical records is overkill. The state need only interview the doctors involved and ask if they would report the individual for criminal shopping. As I understand it, Florida law has a second layer of record privacy, which can't be evaded through a mere warrant. A lawyer is not in a position to determine (convincingly) that someone is doctor shopping; only a doctor could do that.

[Howlin]

I see; so you're basically admitting that you and Rush are making wild accusations, exactly what Rush and Black are accusing the prosecutor of.

[Libertina]

They probably opened them as soon as they escaped the courthouse and got into thier car. Bogus fishing trip by politically motivated enemies.

[Sacajaweau]

After having a pinched nerve in my back, my choices were surgery (with 85% success rate) or medication. I took the medication. I was given short term prescriptions (narcotics) early on. As time passed, I was given prescriptions for as much as 6 months in advance with an intermittent visit.

So, in June, Rush was given X + X + X but no one says when he acquired his pills next. It leaves a big question mark???? in my mind.

Despite Florida law which says what he is taking is okay under his circumstances, the States attorneys are saying that it is emphatically not. This is one big piece of crap conjured up by the state and two criminals who have been granted immunity. I thought the object was to protect SOCIETY not criminals.

[Mr. Bird]

And I encourage everyone to read this post.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/981703/posts

It appears that Boca Raton prosecutors should have a full docket of doctor shopping cases for the next several years.

[Sunshine Sister]

You got it! This has been a fishing expedition from the get go.

[wallcrawlr]

I see.

You prefer the bend over and grab the ankles type of defense.

Just let people go after you without defending yourself.