Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
07/13/2015
Doctor Who Cheated Patients Sentenced to 45 Years in Prison
The notorious Michigan oncologist who gave chemotherapy to cancer-free patients and over-medicated others as part of an expansive insurance fraud scheme cried and apologized before being sentenced to 45 years in prison. His victims and prosecutors wanted a 175-year sentence. A federal prosecutor said Dr. Farid Fata “did not care for patients: He exploited them as commodities. He over-treated, under-treated and outright lied to patients about whether they had cancer so that he could maximize his own profits."
■Class discussion: Like most doctors, Dr. Fata was paid based on the number of patients he treated, procedures he performed and drugs he used. Is this the best way to pay doctors? Would it be better to just pay them a very good salary? Insurance companies also pay hospitals and clinics based on numbers of patients, procedures and drugs. Does this type of system encourage needless treatments or even fraud? What would be a better way of delivering medical care? Who ends up paying for waste, fraud and big profits in the health care system?