Schneider Patients Claim Gov't Harassment

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Schneider Patients Claim Gov't Harassment

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Posted: 4:50 PM Mar 21, 2008
Last Updated: 8:13 PM Mar 21, 2008
Email Address: deb.farris@kake.com

20 comments

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Former patients of a federally indicted Haysville doctor say they are being intimidated by the federal government.

Stephen and Linda Schneider, of Haysville, are behind bars facing federal charges of over-prescribing narcotic pain medications. The US Attorney is linking the couple to the overdose deaths of 56 patients.

Now several Schneider patients say federal agents are forcing their way into their homes without warrants, asking a lot of questions, and even taking items that don't belong to them.

"They grabbed the door and jerked it open," says one patient who spoke to KAKE News on a condition of anonymity. "And then they grabbed my left arm and pulled it up behind me. They said we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

This patient says the agents even took a hand written letter that Schneider wrote her from prison.

The US Attorney's Office says they can't comment on specific cases, but they say a warrant is required in order to search someone's home or to force a person to hand over something that belongs to them. However, a warrant is not needed to talk to someone or to ask for something.

Meanwhile, former US Attorney Randy Rathbun, who is no longer associated with the office, says, "I don't believe it. I doubt that is happening. That is simply not appropriate."

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: J.R. Location: Pa on Apr 5, 2008 at 03:23 AM
I love holier than thou people who think if others don't think or do as they do they are wrong.All these alternative treatments Maxine is so in love with are useless(injections,cold&heat,aromatherapy,or my favotite"just see the pain declining").She wouldn't know a clue if it caused her as much pain as she is in my u-know-what!!

Posted by: Robert Location: Topeka on Mar 27, 2008 at 04:59 PM
You shouldn't pick on Amie, Maxine and Trent for being ignorant. They apparently don't know the difference between someone who is "addicted" to a drug and someone who is "drug dependent". Like I said they are ignorant and that is not their fault. That they would display their ignorance so blatently on a public forum, well thats another matter.

Posted by: Greg Location: NY, NY on Mar 27, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I keep wondering when someone is going to mention the 52 overdose deaths which the Snieders are responsible for. I defy the Federal agents to "show me the beef". They won't because they can't because these factitious deaths did not occur. Or if 52 patients of the Sneiders have died in the past 10 years I can garantee you that it was of no fault of theirs. So if these cases are all contrived then the Feds are guilty of lying to a Grand Jury. Anyone think they will ever be held accountable for this?

Posted by: cliff Location: wichita on Mar 27, 2008 at 08:58 AM
things like this, warrentless search and seizures, taking "evidence" and such happen a lot, and only stop when someone alerts the media. be carefull what you may do or say that dosnt sound like your in favor of fair treatment for the schneiders, you could be next for such tactics.

Posted by: Travis Location: Texas on Mar 26, 2008 at 08:58 PM
About agents abusing their power, former US Attorney Randy Rathbun says, "I don't believe it. I doubt that is happening..." Ever notice that government agents (police, DEA, FBI, etc.) never do anything wrong unless there is a video.

Posted by: Compassionate_One Location: Far Far Away on Mar 25, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Hey Amy - Try reading that new best selling book called the New Testament. This fellow named Jesus has come up with a revolutionary idea on how to treat the suffering. I don't recall him referring to them as "Junkies", he simply helped them. And his groundbreaking concept? He felt we ALL should too. And I'm sorry if you can't handle the sick in our society, but your extreme prejudice towards them does not mean they've done anything wrong. Just like the Schneiders. But I'll save the "innocent until proven guilty" concept for a later date. Wouldn't want to make things too difficult for you to understand. For now, just stick to the good book, it will help get your sole back on track.

Posted by: Compassion_Sole Location: Far Far Away on Mar 25, 2008 at 10:47 AM
To question someones prescription drug use when they are suffering in pain is about as mean and ruthless as it gets. What's next, little old ladies and their walkers, do they irritate you when you have to hold the door open for them? How about those blind people and their seeing eye dogs, no room for them on your buses? And what about the crippled and their wheelchairs, tired of making room for them at the Piggly Wiggly? Way to go Kansas! Heartland my behind, more like the "Heartless Land" if you ask me!!!

Posted by: Maxine Location: Kansas on Mar 25, 2008 at 09:40 AM
As to comments by Lori, Wash. St. Maybe you should not always assume. I as well suffer from chronic pain that is excruciating and has kept me from daily functioning. The difference is I chose to ask questions, find alternative treatments, and not ASSUME the only treatment was to "pop" more pain pills. Because that is not functioning normally. So you see, I do have a clue!

Posted by: DH Michon Location: WI on Mar 24, 2008 at 11:02 PM
Fascism, plain and simple. The effects these agent/prosecutor storm troops are having on health care for all of us are frightening. They have no medical training whatever, frequently a spotty academic at best, yet they hold the ultimate authority over our doctors. And our doctors are scared, very much so. So each case like this one - and there are many - negatively influences countless other doctor-patient relationships nobody ever hears about. It's chilling. The only solace is knowing that these fascists will face pain themselves someday and it could very well be the kind of pain that leaves you screaming for hours, and even the chronic pain that never goes away. I'd love to be a fly on the wall when they doctor tells him/her, "I'm sorry, I can't help you. I never prescribe those drugs because I've seen so many doctors prosecuted...by people like you!" America has become an evil, petty place where the cretins have seized power while the rest of us where out living our lives. Resist!

Posted by: me Location: here on Mar 24, 2008 at 07:46 PM
TRENT, THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DOCTORS IN THIS AREA IN TROUBLE, THEY ARE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY! THE REASON THERE WERE SO MANY PATIENTS AT SCHNIEDERS IS BECAUSE HE WAS THE ONLY DR IN THE AREA WITH ENOUGH COURAGE TO HELP PEOPLE. DR'S ARE PETRIFIED TO USE DRUGS THAT HAVE WORKED FOR EVER AND HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO WORK WITH VERY LITTLE SIDE EFFECTS AND LOW DEATH RATES (WHEN USED AS DIRECTED) BECAUSE THE LAW IS OUT THERE STRONG ARMING PATIENTS AND DR'S. AND NOW THAT IT IS AT THIER BACK DOOR THERE ARE VERY FEW DR'S WITH ANY COURAGE AT ALL IN THE FACE OF LIFE IN PRISON. ALL FOR CARING FOR PATIENTS. THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ABUSERS IN THE SYSTEM, I KNOW THAT THIS CLINIC DID MANY THINGS TO TRY TO WEED THEM OUT AND IT IS UNFAIR FOR YOU ALL TO SIT ON YOUR THRONES AND THROW STONES WHEN YOUR NOT THE ONE SUFFERING.

Posted by: Lori Location: Wash. state on Mar 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM
As to comments by Amy, Maxine & Trent...you don't have a clue! Try living w/severe, chronic pain 24/7 w/0 med. help...I must because Wa. state is just as bad as Kan.& Drs' EveryWhere ARE being Strongarmed & WE ARE NOT JUNKIES. As my husb. told a dr. refusing to treat my neuropathy/RSD.."I hope you don't get chronic pain & get a dr like YOU." That's my wish 4 U 3 also. For Trent: The "gumption" is JUST STARTING. Watch Wa. too. & YAY $ James!! Great comebacks! Amazing support for Siobhan Reynolds & the Schneiders & their lawyers from Wa. state.

Posted by: Maxine Location: Kansas on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:29 AM
The patients of the Schneider Clinic may not have started out as addicts; however, the majority seeking pain meds ended up that way because of Dr. Schneider and the medical staff at the clinic. They are only crying out now because legitimate pain management doctors won't just write them a prescription and send them on their way until the next refill as was done routinely at the Schneider clinic. To believe this ridiculous story that the government is "strong arming" patients is ludicrous. It is an obvious ploy to gain sympathy for the Schneiders release. I was interviewed by these agents as well and was never intimidated or "strong armed" in anyway. Trent is right-A conviction is all that is needed!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Wichita on Mar 24, 2008 at 08:27 AM
"we can do this the hard way or the easy way"? Sounds like someone has been watching to many 1950's whodunit movies.

Posted by: Gregory Walter Location: Albany Georgia on Mar 23, 2008 at 06:03 PM
I think US Attorney Rathburn ought to stop doing damage control on TV and start by reigning in his "thugs". Of course his agents are intimidating witnesses. Just like he is trying to intimidate PRN and the Schneiders. Why else would you put a non-violent first time offender in solitary confinement without bail. I thought that was the whole point in all this. Win convictions at any cost. Why don't they try water boarding them too I am lead to believe that that is an acceptable method of interrogation according to the justice department. (Editors note: Rathbun is no longer the US Attorney and is not associated with the office.)

Posted by: James Location: midwest on Mar 23, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Regarding the assumption that this isn't happening because "That is simply not appropriate." Could it be that this is the first time in years that the beast has had its unquestioned authority legitimately questioned, and it is therefore ENRAGED? When high level federal government corruption begins to effect the medical treatment of common patients in America, they can and should fight back. This enforcement is all about protecting the patented treatment sales of pharmaceutical corporations, and it is why the Bush administration is doing it. The federal government works for people who would rather see you suffering and trying out endless streams of new, patented high-priced medications rather than to see your pain relieved with inexpensive tried and true pain medications (which, but the way, are NOT under patent, and therefore not profitable to pharmaceutical companies). Every knows the administration works for corporations. The feds are enraged because they usually don't get questioned

Posted by: Doc's Nurse & Proud of It Location: U Guess on Mar 23, 2008 at 01:42 AM
Ok, IT'S "SCHNEIDER MEDICAL" NOT "SNIDER MEDICAL" TRENT!!, AND MAYBE YOU AND AMY WERE BOTH PATIENTS WE FIRED OR CAUGHT SELLING YOUR "DRUGS"... DO YOUR RESEARCH AND BRUSH UP ON YOUR GRAMMAR NEXT TIME.. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF DR.S BEING AFFECTED BY THE DEA (THINKING THEY ARE DR.'S).... GO TO THE KANSAS BOARD OF HEALING ARTS AND OTHER STATES AND LOOK/RESEARCH ALL THE DR.'S BEING SITED AND HARASSED BY THE DEA (AGAIN NOT DR.'S) FOR NOT BEING "NARCOPHOBICS" AND AFRAID TO TREAT LEGITIMATE PAIN PATIENTS... Now if you want to criticize us for "TRUSTING & BELIEVING" IN OUR PATIENTS, WELL YOU GOT US THERE.... AFTER ALL THE MCDONALDS CUPS FOUND IN THE BATHROOM USED TO BRING URINE IN, WE THE NURSES SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON SOONER, SO BLAME US.. BUT U SIGNED PAIN MANAGEMENT CONTRACTS, FILLED OUT PDT'S...... BUT WHEN I THREW U OUT WHEN U FAILED, UDS'S ECT... WE ARE THE BAD ONES. I HOPE THOSE THAT ABUSED DOC & THE CONTRACT SUFFER AND THOSE THAT HAVE PAIN FIND HELP. HANG IN THERE, HOPE IS COMING!!!!!

Posted by: Theresa Location: Not in wichita anymore on Mar 22, 2008 at 10:07 PM
Just because you don't believe it doesn't mean that's it's not happening!!!!!Sometimes the people representing the Government do what they want and the people whom they are targeting don't have the money to hire a lawyer to stop them !!!

Posted by: Trent on Mar 22, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I find it very hard to believe that these people, the legal drug addicts of Snideirs office, have enough gumption to repeadely put this in the public eye. It is people like you that abuse the healthcare system which has a direct negative effect on our Healthcare and what it is meant to do. Why are no other doctors in the area in trouble for these same crimes? Simple answer what the Schnideirs were doing was illegal and it was about time they were shut down. Narcotics in our society are being abused at the doctors offices and I am personally glad to see that our legal system is working properly. Now all we need is a conviction.

Posted by: Amy Location: Kansas on Mar 21, 2008 at 11:46 PM
The people who are screaming about the Schneiders being arrested are nothing more than junkies who have had their drugs taken away. These people have fooled themselves into thinking that they were getting their "fixes" legally and now want to cry foul when they found out that the law applies to them as well. We need to treat these people like the drug addicts they are. Maybe a few of them behind bars would cool their jets a little bit.

Posted by: James Location: w on Mar 21, 2008 at 05:14 PM
I can easily believe the junior hitler youth are capable of this behavior;too much power and too few brains

Call me at (316) 263-0001 or (888)263-0001 Roger Riedmiller.