Circumvent Circumcision
Circumvent Circumcision
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Washington State
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Patient Report Form
Your Name: Gary Burlingame Report Information Please complete the following information concerning the physician against whom you wish to register this report. The following information would help avoid delay in processing your report. Please supply as much information as you can on this form. Thank you. Name of Physician (s): Kenneth B. Gass M.D. F.A.A.P. Dates or time period you received treatment, service, or other. The last 30 years. Have you discussed your report with the physician or his/her office/business? Yes Please state your concerns in the space provided below. Please be as specific and complete as possible. You may attach additional sheets if necessary. You will receive an acknowledgment letter once your report is received. According to the enclosed newspaper article, from the March 2, 1999 Bellingham Herald, Dr. Gass has been circumcising infants for the last 30 years, usually 12 hours after birth. I called Dr. Gass' office on the morning of April 20th , 1999 to ask if this newspaper article was accurate in that regard. I was told that a message would be left for Dr. Gass to call me, however, I have not received this call. I accuse Dr. Gass of unprofessional conduct as defined in RCW 18. 130.180 (16) "Promotion for personal gain of any unnecessary or inefficacious drug, device, treatment, procedure, or service." As the enclosed newspaper article says, Dr. Gass recommends against circumcision, yet he performs them, for his personal gain. The American Academy of Pediatrics has admitted in their last statement on circumcision that the benefits aren't significant enough to recommend it as a routine procedure, therefore it is unnecessary and inefficacious. the fact that Dr. Gass performs circumcisions means that he is promoting them, whether he waves his hands and says he doesn't recommend them, or not. I accuse Dr. Gass of unprofessional conduct as defined in RCW 18.130.180 (24) "Abuse of a client or patient or sexual contact with a client or patient." Cutting a patient's penis is both sexual to the child if not to Dr. Gass, and abuse. It is abuse when it is not done for strictly medical reasons, after all less extreme measures have failed. Amputation is not the standard of care for healthy sexual tissue. Please tell me how you will ensure that this physician will not circumcise any more unconsenting infants. Sincerely, [signed] Gary G. Burlingame |
[Top] [Complaint] [Response to Defendant] [Appeal]
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STATE OF
WASHINGTON
May 14,1999 Gary G Burlingame Dear Mr Burlingame: The Medical Quality Assurance Commission reviewed your report in regard to promotion for personal gain of any unnecessary or inefficacious drug, device, treatment, procedure, or service and abuse of a patient. The nature of your report does fall within the Medical Quality Assurance Commission authority under the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130.180) - Unprofessional Conduct. Due to limited resources the Medical Quality Assurance Commission is unable to pursue your report in accordance with specific criteria established for cases which are to be investigated. The case has been closed. You may wish to pursue your report with another organization or agency. Dr Gass will also be advised of the nature of the report. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. If we may be of further assistance to you or answer any questions, please feel free to contact this office at (360) 236-4792
RPT038.doc 5/14/99 |
[Top] [Complaint] [Response] [Appeal]
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STATE OF
WASHINGTON
May 14,1999 Kenneth B Gass, MD SUBJECT: Kenneth B Gass, MD Dear Dr Gass: The Medical Quality Assurance Commission received a report in regard to unprofessional conduct. The Commission is mandated by law to review all alleged violations of the Uniform Disciplinary Act (RCW 18.130.180) - Unprofessional Conduct. The report was assessed based upon criteria established by the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. The assessment did not identify issues of medical quality that would justify a detailed investigation. The report file has been closed. The following statements outline the legislative mandates under which the Commission must deal with requests for disclosure. The existence of this report is not releasable through the automated voice response system nor over the telephone. However, the report is subject to written public disclosure requests. (RCW 18.130.095 and Chapter 42.17 RCW). If you wish, you may submit a written statement for the file which will also become part of the information provided in response to a public disclosure request If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact this office at (360) 236-4792.
RPT026.doc 5/14/99 |
[Top] [Complaint] [Response] [Response to Defendant] [Appeal]
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