Sid Miller put ex-doctor with 2 revoked licenses on rural health panel
In
Redalen, who calls himself "the Maverick Doctor," said he was introduced to Miller several years ago by
Redalen, who donated heavily to Miller's campaign months before his appointment, said he has used the unpaid task force position to advocate for expanded access to telemedicine -- a service offered by one of his companies. Redalen said he never expected any favors in exchange for his contributions to Miller.
Miller "is one of the first actual political people that I have met that talks constantly about improving health care in rural
Redalen said his No. 1 priority on the task force is "making telemedicine easier." Through telemedicine, patients can consult with and get diagnosed by doctors or nurses through video on their phones or computers.
Although the Legislature last year passed a law expanding access to those services, Redalen said it came with so many restrictions that it won't change the industry in a significant way.
"Present laws they have just don't do the trick," he said.
Redalen's company, Quest Global Benefits, provides employer health care services for employers. Its website lists products including education, advocacy and telemedicine, which it describes as "quick and easy access to a nurse, and when necessary, a doctor to discuss and diagnose an employee's ailment."
Redalen said the changes he's pushing for "probably wouldn't help my business at all."
"I could have retired years ago. I don't need the money," he said. "What I'm trying to do is help people in
"The good doctor -- through
"If the advisory board had any sort of clout so that it could do things, then we'd have a problem," Wood said. "But if it's purely advisory, he could go in there and promote his business because that's all he's doing. He's not taking any action."
Redalen said he so far has attended only one meeting of the task force, which met in
The task force reports to the
State law says that the task force "shall assist the advisory council in its efforts to expand and improve access to health care in rural areas of this state; and develop a statewide rural health plan for this state that includes: strategic initiatives for this state regarding rural health; and recommendations for legislation and program development."
The law says the task force is supposed to consist of "all or a portion of the members of the advisory council."
A
Redalen spoke with the Statesman twice but stopped responding to calls on Friday. Smith and Miller have not responded to repeated requests for comment.
'My good friend'
Quest Global Benefits has paid Smith between
Redalen donated
In July of 2017, Miller reported an
In
"I want to thank my good friend, Dr.
Redalen said he doesn't remember Miller using the bus for campaign purposes and isn't sure why Miller would have reported it on his campaign finance disclosures.
The in-kind contribution is the largest donation Miller's campaign has ever reported.
Redalen said he has become good friends with Miller. "I really enjoyed his company and have since got to spend time with he and his wife, Debra," he said.
Redalen even joined Miller on the commissioner's
"We made a business trip to
Miller's relationship with Redalen isn't his first involvement with doctors that has raised questions.
In
A
Redalen said that, although he is aware Miller has chronic pain caused by his days as a rodeo cowboy, Miller has never asked him for medical advice or treatment.
"He doesn't pick my brain for anything in medicine," Redalen said. "He is a true
Licenses revoked
Redalen has not practiced medicine for years but hit it big in the medical business nonetheless. In 1996, he founded a company called QuestRx, which now goes by ExitCare and was sold to
As a doctor, Redalen worked in emergency rooms and as a primary care doctor and has had his license suspended or revoked in
The disciplinary action against Redalen by
Redalen's legal troubles in
Redalen did not answer detailed questions about his past, but he said that his problems in
The girl's former legal guardian, however, said at the time that she did not believe they married as a matter of convenience.
"I felt that they got married because they wanted to and they cared about each other," the guardian,
After a 1989 court proceeding, Redalen told reporters, "Right now we seem to have a very enjoyable relationship that fulfills a large part of our lives since" the mother's suicide.
Redalen was arrested after returning to
In 1995, after Redalen had moved to
___
(c)2018 Austin American-Statesman, Texas
Visit Austin American-Statesman, Texas at www.statesman.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Austin American-Statesman, Alberta Phillips column
Far reaching consequences for WNY loom as Democrats eye State Senate takeover
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News