Who is Robert Finney
and Why Did He Write This Book?
Robert D. Finney, Ph.D., M.S.W. was Manager, Health Care Cost Containment at the Hewlett-Packard Company. He helped to devise and implement the first employer-sponsored Preferred Provider Organization in America. Not one patient complained about quality of care. The company saved almost one million dollars in the first year of operation. When a hospital and medical group tried to defraud H-P, Dr. Finney taught them the meaning of healthcare accountability.

Bob Finney decided to write this book after he and his wife attended the funeral of a young women who died of breast cancer. The church was filled with her friends, her family, her husband, and three small children. Her plain white coffin, caught in the morning light from a stained glass window, was testament to her lost fight for life. Until the end, she blamed her HMO for repeatedly denying a mammogram that may have saved her life. Before she died, with the help from her pastor, she chose passages from the Bible to be read at her service. She intended them to be "lessons". One was from the Book of Job, Chapter 19, Verse 23. To somber gathering, her spiritual advisor read as follows:

"Oh that my words were now written!
Oh that they were printed in a book!"

During the service, her eulogies emphasized that she had been a "crusader" for HMO patient rights. Her obituary underscored how she had fulfilled her commitment to "do anything I can to save just one person."

I wrote my book to help make her commitment to save HMO patients a reality.

The friend of an ALS quadriplegic patient used my book and website to reverse denial of care within 32 days. I provided coaching and technical advice free of charge. The HMO is Humana, one of the largest managed care corporations in America.

  • On June 15th, 1999, the patient’s physician wrote to Humana: "I have previously documented my recommendations that this patient needs 24 hour per day seven day per week care. In home care is clearly superior."
  • "On August 27th, his friend e-mailed me, "After 2 months of appeals they [Humana] denied additional care." "I have no idea what to do next."
  • On September 28th, his friend e-mailed me, "As of this afternoon Humana has decided to return [name of patient] home with 24/7!!! We are so grateful for your help. I have read, scanned and browsed through your book endless times, and greatly appreciate the advice you have so willingly shared. I have mentioned you and your book to scores of people. I have printed out the relevant information on 3x5 cards so I have it with me and can share more easily." More Later, B.M., Orlando, Florida.

Click on HARDBALL Fan Club to read about how HMO HARDBALL is helping patients prevent and reverse the
wrongful denial of healthcare by HMOs and their doctors.

PROTECT YOURSELF NOW!
DON’T BE AN HMO SOB STORY!