Washington Hospital lawyers pressure theater not to show Life for Sale
By Matt Artz
Saturday, October 11th, 2008 at 12:56 pm in Washington Hospital.
I hope this doesn’t use too much memory. Lawyers for Washington Hospital sent this letter to Cinemark Theatres in San Jose advising them not to show the movie Life for Sale, which accuses Washington of several misdeeds.
An employee for The Orb, which produced the film told me Cinemark backed out of showing the film after receiving the letter. Washington is a public hospital, which, I think means, taxpayers pay for its legal bills. I didn’t include the second page of the letter. There wasn’t much there to justify the technical complexities.
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October 11th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Let’s all munch on our popcorn as Washington Hospital makes a fool of itself over nothing. It’s neither the best nor worst hospital I’ve been to. Attacks like this film are better left ignored. Lawyers only draw attention.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for posting this, Matt. This wouldn’t have made the paper -another benefit to this blog. Can I ask who exactly signed the letter?
October 11th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Steven P. Ragland.
Looks like he’s a low level associate at the law firm. Meaning Washington Hospital is either a small apples client or they rented a lawyer to write this letter.
October 12th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Just to let the general know, ever since “The Argus” first published reports of the “Life for Sale” movie that was filmed, Washington Hospital Ceo Nancy Farber has instructed hospital staff not to deliver the daily copy of The Argus to patients or employees. The daily bundle of newspapers are still delivered to the hospital but end up in the trash.
October 12th, 2008 at 9:31 am
To a large degree, I agree with Jon Simon’s sentiment on this issue. (Bet you never thought you’d hear that did you Jon ?) But maybe for a slightly different reason.
I have not seen the movie and wouldn’t waste my time in doing so - but from what I’ve read in the media, the “issues” are nothing more than have been widely reported as generally plaguing our health care system and most medical care institutions nation-wide.
That’s not to say that one cannot find good practice and healthcare - but, the nature of healthcare today (and all other for-profit institutions) places the providers in a position of juggling economics and quality of care. Those that argue otherwise need to pay closer attention to the ongoing public debate and need for healthcare reform.
There’s little in the Washington Hospital film that hasn’t been widely claimed to impact healthcare in general - so why the debate and ensuing spectacle ?
Move on and ignore these fleas.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
The movie seems to touched a raw nerve at Washington Hospital especially with the CEO. Instead of ignoring the documentary, they spent a huge amount on full page advertisements to draw attention to the movie. No almost everyone in the district has heard Dr Li’s name.
Let’s ee if it helps her garner some votes.
November 4th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Just so everyone knows - Dr. Li hired her son to as producer and her daughter as the director of this movie. The majority of people involved in its production and promotion are her siblings and nephews/neices or current employees.