I am sure many of you recognize the name of Dr. Wm. Hurwitz. Dr. Hurwitz was a nationally known very prominent pain management physician. He was known for his very aggressive pain treatment and had patients from almost every state in the country. These were the patients that nobody else would take, they were too complicated, needed doses that were too high for other doctors. I was one of these patients and Dr. H saved my life. He is the most caring and compassionate dr I have ever known. In his younger years he served with Doctors Without Borders in Brazil. He was known never to turn away people who couldn't pay.
His problems began in 1996 when he was persecuted by the DEA in 1996, expansive coverage could be seen on 60 Minutes, for writing rx's that the DEA thought were too large, too many pills. He beat that case, with alot of national coverage, and alot of support from the patients he cared for. Many set up in thier wheelchairs or just laying in the halls during the trial. The result was he had to take some classes about prescribing.
Personally, I believe the DEA had it in for him since they couldn't get him in 1996.
Fast forward to the year 2002, upon being advised that he was being investigated by the DEA he chose to give his patients 90 days to find other physicians, and to close his practice. About 500 of the most difficult patients in the country had nowhere to turn. This investigation began because several (all related) of his patients were arrested for selling thier meds. Each offender was offered a lighter sentence if they would testify that Dr. Hurwitz was in on the scam. These low life drug dealers did just that. Even when they went in the office wired for thier appts and nothing inappropriate happened the DEA said he did things like winked at the patients. At his trial, which cost his family and friends over $500K, he was sentenced to 25 years which is pretty much a death sentence for a man in his 60's.
Dr. H has remained in good spirits in prison. We write each other a few times a month. He is teaching math, teaching a 65 yo man to read, learning to speak Italian (I think that is the language) and generally being a model prisoner. He is housed with non- violent offenders and says he is reasonably comfortable.
The good news is the trafficking accounts he was convicted of have been overturned at the appellate level. The case has been sent back to the 4th District court in Virginia. He is attempting to get out on bond to assist with his own defense. His family and supporters are trying desperately to raise money for this second trial.
DR. Hurwitz is a national symbol of the DEA chasing well meaning doctors instead of dangerous gun toting drug dealers. Doctors are in no way shape or form expected to be policemen. What doctor could follow every patient home and keep an eye on thier activities?
When Dr. H was convicted it sent a chill through the entire pain community in the US. If it could happen to him, it could happen to anyone. Drs around the country began setting down thier pens--and the suffering of chronic pain patients reached a whole new level.
Please do whatever you can to support Dr. Hurwitz. There is more info on him on
www.painreliefnetwork.org . Feel free to write to me personally for a copy of the brief overturning the convictions or if you would like Dr. H's address to write to him.
This case will affect every pain patient in this country in some way shape or form, because it will affect your doctors.
Stand up for those brave enough to make our lives tolerable with chronic pain.
