Trial By Error: My Exchange with Minnesota Medical Center Holding ME/CFS Patient

Andy

Andy

Retired committee member
On Monday afternoon, I had an e-mail exchange with Christine Hill, a spokeswoman for the Hennepin Healthcare in Minnesota. Thane Fredrickson, an ME/CFS patient, is currently under threat of involuntary psychiatric commitment. Because of patient privacy concerns, it was clear the medical center would not be able to provide any specific information. But reporters are still obliged to ask questions even when the answer will inevitably be “no comment.” Receiving such an inquiry also alerts an institution, in this case Hennepin Healthcare, that an issue is of public concern and that its actions are being observed.
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https://www.virology.ws/2021/01/26/...nesota-medical-center-holding-me-cfs-patient/
 
IN the US who picks up the bill for involuntary detention in hospital? What would happen if the patient under involuntary detention instructed his insurance company not to pay? Presumably there is then an argument as to whether he has capacity to give such an instruction. It would be interesting to see the contracts.
 
chrisb said:
IN the US who picks up the bill for involuntary detention in hospital? What would happen if the patient under involuntary detention instructed his insurance company not to pay? Presumably there is then an argument as to whether he has capacity to give such an instruction. It would be interesting to see the contracts.
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I think Medicare or if he is very poor Medicaid covers the bill.
 
Hennepin Healthcare has, unfortunately, a dodgy reputation caused largely by their involvement in a "study" in which members of the public (largely minorities) were given ketamine by HCMC paramedics at the request of cops, and without the patients' permission. This study was undertaken by one of their ER doctors who was also a sheriff's deputy.

Not too long after the furor died down, they changed their name from Hennepin County Medical Center to Hennepin Healthcare. :rofl: So if you want to read about it, you need to search under Hennepin County Medical Center. I'm not surprised they've "sectioned" Thane.

If you search "Hennepin County Medical Center ketamine" you'll turn up some interesting reading, @dave30th.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azeenghorayshi/hennepin-ketamine-informed-consent

https://www.startribune.com/fda-hcm...study-going-after-pledging-to-stop/511269232/

Edited to add last paragraph and links. Later edited for statements from memory which I could not verify.
 
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Update on Thane’s civil commitment case - #MEAction Network

UPDATE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5 , 2021
Thane was released from the hospital today and is home!

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UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 , 2021
Thane’s lawyer shared with us that the evaluation went very well on Monday morning. Thane agreed to a “continuance for dismissal,” which means that he will be discharged on Friday, assuming all goes according to plan. The petition will be continued for 30 days, at which point the court will dismiss it entirely.

The next step will be ensuring that Thane gets the medical care he needs to address his weight loss. We are working to establish a new care team, including a local GP who trained under a ME/CFS clinician and a ME/CFS specialist.

Thane still has a tough couple of days ahead in the hospital, so please send lots of good juju his way. The hospital environment and the threat of civil commitment have placed immense stress on Thane. Through it all, he has shown tremendous grace and strength.

Thank you for the outpouring of support for Thane. Everyone’s efforts have helped to put Thane on a better path to healing.
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