Wisconsin Docs Face Exams for Writing Notes for Hooky-playing Teachers

Madison, Wis. - Wisconsin medical agencies are collectively examining claims that state-licensed physicians wrote medical excuse notes for teachers who called in sick to attend political demonstrations in Madison last week.

Tens of thousands gathered to protest Governor Scott Walker's planned budget cuts and restrictions on collective bargaining for state employees.

Several Wisconsin doctors were videotaped, distributing form-letter notes to teachers attending the Madison protests. Physicians from several Madison-area hospitals set up shop amid the demonstrators to offer medical excuse notes for educators skipping school.

For example, Dr. Lou Sanner, a physician with the UW School of Medicine, told reporters he had provided hundreds of such notes and claimed the recipients had been suffering from stress.

UW Health released a statement February 21.

Noting social media and news reports of Wisconsin doctors allegedly signing notes for teachers playing hooky in Madison, the UW Health statement indicated only a small percentage of their own affiliated physicians were involved.

"These UW Health physicians were acting on their own and without the knowledge or approval of UW Health," the notice read. "These charges are very serious."

UW Health is working with the UW Medical Foundation, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing, the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board and the Wisconsin Medical Society to investigate the matter.

"The investigation will identify which UW Health physicians were involved and whether their behavior constituted violations of medical ethics or University of Wisconsin and UW Health policies and work rules," the UW Health statement continued. "Any future disciplinary action taken will be considered a personnel matter and will be treated with the confidentiality required by University of Wisconsin policies."

The Wisconsin Medical Society responded February 21 with this statement by senior vice president Timothy Bartholow, M.D.:

"The Wisconsin Medical Society was notified during the weekend that physicians may have been writing work excuses for people attending rallies at the state Capitol in a manner that is not consistent with acceptable medical practices. If these reports are accurate, the Society does not condone these actions under any circumstances."

Wisconsin state medical laws forbid physicians from purposely making false or fraudulent statements.