Kathleen L. Lewton, APR, Fellow PRSA (11/16):
Jack, what a one-sided assessment of the audience reaction to Wendell Potter's presentation at PRSA.
Not sure what "healthcare pro's" you spoke with in the audience, Jack, but I was seated amidst a group of healthcare PR veterans with a combined 200+ years of experience, and we were right there with the entire rest of the audience giving Potter a standing ovation.
He was quite candid -- he admitted he'd done things that were unethical, that he wasn't proud of, and that he'd never do again. And the moral and human turning point for him was not quite as you described it (as a reaction to insurance company actions), but rather, happened when he saw thousands of people standing in the rain, at a country fairgrounds, in livestock pens like animals, waiting patiently to see doctors, because they had no insurance and no other way to get medical care.
You and those anonymous critics may call him a squealer -- but in doing so, will you have a chilling effect on others who may be wondering if they should keep on turning a blind eye to ethics, or step forward and tell the truth?
It's one thing to be a political type like McClellan, who wait till after the administration is out of power, after there's nothing that can be done to right wrongs, and then write a book to make money.
I submit that Wendell Potter and other brave whistleblowers whose actions where lives were at stake due to dangerous products or conditions, are, in fact, heroes to be praised. Potter quit his job and gave up his employment FIRST, Jack -- as should have been reported here for those learning his story for the first time. And he spoke up at critical time in the healthcare reform debate, when his actions could and are having some impact. He didn't wait until all was done and then ride out with a book to sell. He spoke out knowing his future employment in the industry could well be at risk. He did it because he felt it was the right thing to do -- to tell the truth.
If telling the truth about corporate misdeeds makes company leaders afraid of PR people -- is that not a good thing? Or do you and those you spoke with think that PR people should simply toe the corporate line, witness the misdeeds, and keep on putting out those press releases? If the fear that a PR professional might tell the truth stops some companies from doing the wrong thing, shouldn't we all say well done, brave PR person?
Perhaps I'm missing some nuance in the criticism of these healthcare PR people you spoke with, or perhaps they don't truly understand the sacrifices and risks Potter has endured, but to suggest that he should put up and shut up -- no matter what his past history is -- flies in the face of the Code of Ethics that governs the organization that brought Potter to the platform in San Diego. And to somehow suggest that because he was once part of the unethical conduct of a company, he is therefore to be damned if he sees the light, gives up his job, and then tells the truth -- belies a logic so twisted that I can't fathom it.
Finally, Jack, your coverage of only the negative comments about Potter, from a small group of attendees, is incredibly one-sided. There were about 3,000 people in that ballroom, and I saw about 99% of them giving him a standing ovation. If you're going to quote the naysayers, at least report that fact. It may not be controversial, but is the truth.
Joe Honick, GMA International Ltd (11/17):
The titled Ms Lewton has been given very generous space to have her say, and that is admirable on the part of her target. What Ms Lewton did not take time to discuss on the matter of ethics in our business is why it is so acceptable for some powerful outfits to take on accounts the success of which would be antithetical to American concerns and policies about which some of us have indeed expressed ourselves.
I would like to have Ms Lewton's take on those who, for many millions monthly, have become virtual government spokespeople for the Saudis who have given nothing to us for defending their borders with Iraq...or the defense contracgors making billions, many fraudulently according to reports as recently as yesterday, or so many more.
When Ms Lewton, who holds no doubt well deserved fellowships and other titles...when she will take on those subjects, I may well find her attack on Jack O'Dwyer more substantive. |