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"Hellish Abortion Operation:" KY Abortionist's License Suspended, Clinic Closed

By Tim Waggoner

LEXINGTON, KY, June 20, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Abortionist Hamid Sheikh has had his medical license suspended and his Lexington, Kentucky, abortion mill closed after the state's medical board revealed evidence of fraud, filthy conditions, and illegal abortions that led one reporter to describe Sheikh's clinic as a "hellish abortion operation."  

The investigation into Sheikh's activities first began when staff of Kentucky's Fraud Investigation Support Team (FIST), who are trained in claims data analysis and computer forensics, recognized prescriptions for a three drug cocktail issued by Sheikh that would typically be prescribed after an abortion. This led the team to uncover the fraudulent claims.

In Kentucky it is illegal to bill Medicaid, a U.S. health care program supporting people with low incomes, for any procedure related to abortion except in limited circumstances, such as if the woman's life is in danger or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest.

According to a video report from WHAS Channel 11 (http://www.whas11.com/video/index.html?nvid=255814), last November Sheikh pleaded not guilty to the medical fraud charges. Evidence has shown, however, that he was in fact overcharging Medicaid for procedures he was not even performing.

The doctor of 33 years has since been accused of operating his office in an unsanitary and unsafe manner, after the attorney general's fraud probe led to further investigations.

Former patients have made shocking testimonies, reporting on appalling conditions and procedures.

Besides 12-week-old biohazard waste, dirty gowns and bloody equipment, investigations revealed the doctor did not use ultrasounds to affirm a women's pregnancy and refused to issue pain pills or anesthetic before operations.

One woman described the pain during her abortion as "unbearable" and another said she was told to "shut up" when she screamed in agony; the doctor did not want her to disturb the other patients. In addition, eight patients were not ordered to wait the required 24 hours before having an abortion.

President Troy Newman of Operation Rescue, a pro-life Christian activist organization, says he was not surprised with the findings.

"The horrific conditions discovered at Sheikh's mill are not the exception; they are what we have come to expect from America's failing abortion industry."

"Doctors that are concerned about helping and healing people do not go into the abortion business. Therefore, what the abortion industry is left with is the bottom of the barrel. When abortion mills are inspected and laws are enforced, we can expect to see pulled licenses and closed clinics. Unfortunately, abortion mills are all too often given a free pass, but even that is beginning to change as the public becomes more aware of incidents like this," continued Newman.

"We are thankful that Sheikh has been caught and will now be held accountable for the human suffering that he has caused."

Newman told LifeSiteNews.com that the investigation into the practices of Dr. Sheikh is ongoing.  Some of the findings in the case are in "violation of the standard of care, others criminal," he explained. 

Just as Dr. Sheikh denied the original charges involving Medicaid, he has denied all further allegations resulting from the investigation. In his defense he has claimed that some of his patients had a low threshold for pain, and others were upset they did not get any cash back.  He also accused the state investigator of being biased against him.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Kentucky Abortionist Arrested For Fraudulent Billing
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/nov/07112207.html

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