HOULTON, Maine — A Monticello man is conducting a silent protest outside of the Katahdin Valley Health Center on Bangor Street in Houlton for what he claims is discrimination going on at the health care facility.
David Wallingford said Friday that he was informed he was no longer a patient at the health center when he went for one of his regular appointments. He had been a patient at the facility since 2012. Wallingford, who suffers from a brain injury, claims his release was due to the fact that he is a medical marijuana patient.
On Friday, Wallingford began his silent protest by walking along Bangor Street and Florence Avenue. According to Houlton Police Chief Joe McKenna, Wallingford obtained a permit to conduct his protest and there have been no issues involving the police since he began. McKenna added he believed KVHC officials were going to pursue obtaining a harassment injunction through the court system, but as far as his department was concerned, Wallingford was not breaking any laws.
Wallingford also claims he was incorrectly prescribed a drug called “Lamisil” that allegedly caused him severe liver problems and was told only one physician at the health care facility was willing to work with medical marijuana patients.
“On May 1, I met with medical director Audie Horn to ask how this medical error occurred, and ask for a new provider,” Wallingford said. “He told me there were no other doctors there that were willing to work with a (medical marijuana) patient. He suggested I should find a new practice.”
Wallingford said all he wanted was an answer to how the medical error occurred and a new provider so that he could remain a patient at KVHC. Those requests were denied, according to Wallingford.
Durwood Humphrey, CEO of KVHC, said he could not comment on Wallingford’s medical information because of HIPAA privacy rules.
“I can say that we have a zero tolerance violence policy, that we strictly enforce,” Humphrey said. “What you are seeing is a result of that.”
Humphrey added KVHC does not prescribe medical marijuana at its facility because they are a federally-funded health care organization.
“We have a do not prescribe policy, but we do not discriminate against anybody for any reason,” he said. “That is a decision we made because we are a federally-qualified health center. Even though state law may say it is OK, we receive federal funding and we are at-risk of losing that funding if we violate federal law.”
Humphrey added the facility does have several patients who are prescribed medical marijuana and are still able to be cared for at KVHC.
“KVHC does have patients who are on medical marijuana that are our patients, but they are on marijuana from other providers,” he explained. “We still treat them for all their other health care needs. We just will not prescribe. They are more than welcome to get their prescription filled by someone else and still come here for other services. That is what the majority of our patients who are on medical marijuana are doing.”
Wallingford said he feels he was also discriminated because of his brain injury, which causes him to talk loudly. He also has trouble hearing in one ear and has vision issues. Wallingford stated he was in a car accident in Cumberland back in 2009 when a drunk driver struck him, causing significant head injuries.
Because of his vision problems, he suffers from migraines whenever he attempts to read letters or pay bills. For that reason, he said he only checks his mail a couple of times a month.
“I sound like I am yelling, but I am not and they know this,” he said.
Humphrey stated KVHC does have a patient assistance program for those who have hearing issues or need help in other ways. Wallingford, however, claims that advocate was not made available to him when he was attempting to get answers to his questions.
“I am not interested in getting a lawyer,” Wallingford said. “I just want answers. I do have a sign, though, and I am not going to go away until I get those answers.”
Wallingford stated he will continue his protest at KVHC “as long as it takes” and is seeking the resignation of Humphrey and all members of the risk-management team that reviewed his case. He also wants the facility to have a disability advocate available on-site 100 percent of the time and still wants an answer to why he was given a prescription that he believes caused medical issues.
