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Tuesday’s Tirade

Coventry Health Care Inc Trial Developments

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Christine Stenger v Carelink Health Plans Inc of West Virginia and Patrick W Dowd will not be going to trial beginning November 8th as we expected. This is the second continuance, a shocking move by Coventry Health Care, Inc.

Where is justice today for me? Where is it for the thousands of mentally ill who seek health remedies that are frequently wrongly denied? How long can Coventry Health Care run from the truth?

On Friday, October 15, 2010, there was a Pretrial Conference before Judge Michael Gaughan of the First District Court of Ohio County. Defense sent a letter to Judge Gaughan indicating defendants intend to remove this case to Federal Court. In my view, this action is outrageous, totally without merit, and undertaken purely for the purpose of delay. It is simply more of Carelink's inexcusable and indefensible behavior. We will be forced to again move to remand the case to State Court.

While continuance has a grave effect on my emotional state, there is nothing my attorneys or the Judge can do to stop Carelink from removing the case again. Judge Gaughan was prepared to move this case forward to trial, and all of the necessary pretrial motions and disclosures had been made.

Unfortunately, the Rules permit Carelink to engage in this conduct even if it is totally wrong. Based on defense counsel's representations as to Carelink's intentions, Judge Gaughan continued the trial date pending a second removal and remand.

In the terminology used by my attorneys in recent legal matters, I now "pray" that ultimately sanctions will be imposed against Carelink.”

Tuesday’s Tale

What is Carelink Health Plan, Inc. Doing for West Virginia Citizens

Recent Statistics on the State of West Virginia

W.Va. Has Highest Disabled Population: About 25 percent of all West Virginians - or about 500,000 state residents - live with some kind of disability, according to Sherri VanTassel, executive director of Russell Nesbitt Services Inc. ~ By JOSELYN KING, August 27, 2009

Obesity in the United States has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent decades. West Virginia ranks #2 in the prevalence of obesity. ~Wikipedia

 #2 adult current smokers (2006-2008) ~Trust for America’s Health

WV first in prescription drug use…top ten medicated states. – Forbes, 2010

#2 Lack of Adult Physical Inactivity (2007-09 average)

1st Diabetes Rates, % Adults (2007-09 average)

#2 Hypertension Rates, % Adults (2005-09 average)