Cataract controversy heats up
Hospital exec warns media critics: 'Don't tread waters you are not supposed to tread. Get your facts straight'
Reports of fraudulent claims in cataract cases in Western Visayas has now brought into the limelight hospital executive Evangeline Camarista-Johnson. Chief Executive Officer of at least three private hospitals under three different corporations, Johnson met members of the local media on the controversial issue of cataract cases and the claims made with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC).
Dubbed as PhilHealth insurance, this government health care program has turned a number of Ilonggo doctors particularly eye specialists into multi- millionaires. Johnson's Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital is said to be one of the top three hospitals in Western Visayas with cataract case-claims.
Johnson lost no time in admitting that yes, it is right that her hospital is easily top three yet no, it is absolutely wrong to find fault in it.
Yes, as well, that majority of her patients were indigents thus PhilHealth members but no, there is nothing amiss in the process of selection and the overall practice.
Pressed for specifics on her top three eye doctors, Johnson named eye doctors "Dr. Avecilla, Dr. Cuaycong and Dr. Sarabia."
Johnson began her media appearance with a lengthy talk "lecturing" reporters present on her sentiments against issues dragging her name and the Bacolod hospital into the controversy.
"How authentic are your reports?," she began while adding that "I am not one to turn away from responsibility."
Though PhilHealth has not officially tagged her hospital, Johnson opted to address the matter decrying what she said were personal attacks on her person and the hospital itself.
They are among the top cataract claimants, she explained, because Bacolod Our Lady of Mercy Hospital "is the leading eye department in the nation. It is a pride I carry with me. A pride to us. What is wrong with that statistics? What is it about us being top? What is wrong with that?."
Johnson continued with her emotional appeal while lamenting that "stones have already been thrown against me. But I have no intention of throwing back stones but bread instead."
In the succeeding exchange though, Johnson carried a strong stance warning her attackers, "don't tread on waters you are not supposed to tread. Get your facts straight."
This as she went on to maintain that her integrity as medical practitioner in the United States and as businesswoman "is spotless. Every one better be careful."
She also added how in her 25 years in America she has not had a single brush with the law, "not even a traffic ticket."
Johnson further stressed how with the government's cataract program she and her hospital are out "to save lives" and later she added, "this is all about love and saving eyesight."
As for PhilHealth's investigation, Johnson welcomed the move saying, "well and good."
"Knowingly, no hospital would pad a claim unless it comes from the top. And I have not ordered it. How can you take that and live with your conscience?," she continued with yet another question to her accusers on her and her hospital's supposed involvement, "Do you really want to believe that in your heart?"