FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2004
LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST WILLAMETTE FALLS HOSPITAL
FOR REFUSAL TO PROVIDE DENTAL SURGERY TO PATIENTS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
FOR REFUSAL TO PROVIDE DENTAL SURGERY TO PATIENTS
WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
A lawsuit was filed in federal court today against Willamette Falls Hospital in Oregon City, Oregon because of its decision to refuse to allow patients with developmental and cognitive disabilities to undergo dental surgery there. Dr. Alexander Lin, one of the few dentists in Oregon who serves this population, had his privileges to perform dental surgery on disabled persons terminated specifically because the people he serves have disabilities.
The Plaintiffs include The Arc of Oregon, Inc., a statewide non-profit membership organization comprised of persons with mental retardation, their parents and friends, and mental retardation professionals. There are also two individual plaintiffs, who have needed dental surgery for months and have been suffering as a result. Plaintiff Douglas Story, who cannot talk, has bleeding teeth and gums, canker sores, is in pain a lot of the time, and will often push away his food and refuse to eat because of the pain. Plaintiff Keith Davis is biting on his fingers because of pain in his mouth and cannot be seen to receive dental care except under general anesthesia. There are approximately 40 other patients of Dr. Lin's who are awaiting surgery.
The mission of the Arc is that people with developmental disabilities should not be discriminated against because they are disabled and this appears to be blatant discrimination solely based on the fact that these patients are disabled.
Plaintiffs seek emergency injunctive relief to allow the surgeries to take place.
Plaintiffs are represented by the Oregon Advocacy Center. OAC is Oregon's Protection and Advocacy Office for people with disabilities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathleen L. Wilde
Oregon Advocacy Center
503 243-2081
Disability Rights Oregon
620 SW 5th Avenue, 5th Floor
Portland, Oregon, 97204-1428
503-243-2081 (Voice)
1-800-452-1694 (Voice)
503-323-9161 (TTY)
1-800-556-5351 (TTY)
