No fewer than 7 million people have lost their health insurance since the cabal of criminals called the Trump administration took office in 2017. The rest of the country, by hook or by crook, try to make things better for their fellow Americans. An Indiana school superintendent has been arrested and charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor for her part in trying to help one of her uninsured students … get medical treatment. Elwood Community Schools Superintendent Casey Smitherman was picked up and charged with fraud in relation to insurance claims she made in order to get one of the students in her charge medical treatment for what turned out to be strep throat.
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According to various outlets, Smitherman used her son’s name and insurance to bring a student—that she has helped in the past—in to see a doctor and fill a prescription for amoxicillin. According to Smitherman, she visited the student on Jan. 9 after he did not come to school, making sure he had eaten, and, concluding that he should see a doctor for a sore throat, took him to a general clinic. She writes that “one clinic refused to give the boy necessary treatment,” at which point she took the student to another clinic and passed him off as her son.
The child subsequently ripped the label off his prescription bottle, realizing that having it there was wrong, and at some point the following week, authorities were alerted to this situation. The Elwood school board has shown a laudable amount of support for Smitherman, issuing this statement:
Dr. Smitherman has tirelessly worked for the best interests of all students in Elwood Community Schools since she was hired. She made an unfortunate mistake, but we understand that it was out of concern for this child’s welfare. We know she understands what she did was wrong, but she continues to have our support.
Dr. Smitherman’s statement, which you can read below the fold, is equally contrite and articulate. I wonder if there are conservatives out there that believe this is the kind of insurance fraud that’s ruining our country? Because if this is the problem, there’s a very easy solution: Medicare for all.
You can read Dr. Smitherman’s statement below the fold.
Recently, I was given notice one of our students was not at school. I went to his home to check on him, and he told me that he had not felt well enough to come to school. After making sure he had eaten, I could tell he had some of the symptoms of strep throat. As a parent, I know how serious this illness can be if left untreated, and I took him to an emergency clinic.
After one clinic refused to give the boy necessary treatment, I took him to a different clinic and told them he was my son. I knew he did not have insurance, and I wanted to do all I could to help him get well. I know this action was wrong. In the moment, my only concern was for this child’s health.
I have been charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor, and I have cooperated with authorities every step of the way. I turned myself in to the Elwood police this afternoon and was immediately released on bail. It is my understanding the prosecutor has agreed to a diversion program and that should be finalized yet this afternoon.
The Elwood community has been welcoming since I started this position, and I am so grateful for your support. I am committed to this community and our students, and I regret if this action has undermined your trust in me. From the beginning, my ultimate goal has been to provide the best environment for Elwood students’ growth physically, mentally and academically, and I remain focused on that purpose.
School board president Brent Kane has issued a statement of support below, for which I am also grateful. I am continuing to work with appropriate authorities as necessary and want to be transparent about my work with the Elwood community.