AN EXCLUSIONARY PRACTICE

The Franklin Community Health Network prides itself "on providing the
best care available anywhere, the kind of care we would want for
ourselves and our families." Then why do they have an exclusionary
practice to deny care to their patients?

I am a licensed caregiver with the state of Maine, and I provide
full-time care for a quadriplegic patient. This patient has an active,
legal medical marijuana prescription dating back to 2003, and recently
submitted paperwork to update the prescription in accordance with state law.

When there was a delay in response from the state, the patient
contacted the doctor's office, only to be told the renewal was denied
and that doctors in the Franklin Community Health Network would not
renew or recommend medicinal marijuana to any of their patients.

Now this patient must make a 150-mile trip to see a doctor who will
renew the prescription before Jan. 1 to be in compliance with the law.

The decision to refuse complete care to patients is in stark contrast
with FCHN's claim to "increase the scope of services provided" and to
"assure everyone in our service area can obtain the care they need."

Yes, FCHN "can make a difference to the overall health of the
community," as their website states, and it will have negative effects
for thousands of current and potential patients, their caregivers and
their families.

Patricia Soderholm, Farmington

Editor's note: According to Jill Gray, community relations manager for
Franklin Community Health Network, no physician in the network will
provide written certificates for the medical use of marijuana until
"there is greater clarity from the state on the issue."