My Experience With HMR, Through Camino Medical Group, Sunnyvale, CA

If you are considering entering the HMR (Health Management Resources) weight loss program
through Camino Medical Group – in fact, any medical services through Camino Medical group - be
forewarned about a few things.

Issue # 1 – Needless invasion of a women’s right to choose

The first red flag I experienced regarding the HMR program was a questionnaire I had to fill-out.

At first, the questionnaire asked me expected things, such as, "Do you have diabetes?" or, "Do you
have a history of heart disease?" You know, issues that one can realize are readily related to a
medically-supervised weight loss program. Then the questionnaire asked a question that stunned me:
"Have you ever had an abortion?"

Later, a nurse went over the questionnaire, but she couldn't give me any legitimate medical reason
as to why a weight loss clinic would ask me that question. Now, I can see why the questionnaire
asked if I take birth control pills, since hormones are famed for doing tricks with body weight. But
an abortion? Ever? In my entire life?

I later researched the matter and could find absolutely no data that supports that a woman's past
abortions might have any affect on a weight loss program. None. I could see how a recent pregnancy
might be of concern, say, in the past few months, due to hormonal issues. But shouldn't they ask
THAT instead? E.g. "Have you been pregnant in the last few months?"

Considering we have nutso rightwingers in this country, pushing to do things like subpoena women’s
medical records for any evidence of abortions, I am really amazed that any medical program would
needlessly be asking such an invasive question.

Even more creepy is that I know of women whom have had abortions because the pregnancy they
were carrying was due to rape. Why on earth would any such victims have to discuss that with
anyone at HMR?

Issue # 2 – They aren’t up front about how the classes are run.

When I went to the HMR orientation, I asked Karen Handy if HIPAA, and all that federal privacy
stuff, applies to the HMR program. She said yes. Good, I thought. I am a private person and I do
not wish to have any of my medical matters invaded by anyone except medical personnel directly
involved with my medical care. My medical issues have put me through hell, and I am not interested
in discussing it with strangers.

I went to the first class, and afterwards, I sent the instructor Leticia Ramos an email and let her
know that I consider my medical matters to be personal, private, sensitive and confidential, and
therefore not to be discussed with people who do not work for the clinic (such as classmates). She
said she understood and that it would be no problem.

So I go for the second class. Leticia flips on an overhead projector and starts to go over everyone's
statistics the past week. "Susan ate this much and exercised that much...Steve ate that much and
exercised this much..." I was stunned. I would have thought that, considering the program is "medically
supervised", that all of our data is covered by HIPAA.

I later sent an email to Leticia Ramos letting her know my shock, both about the posting of data and
about the abortion question. She responded that “HMR is a behavioral program and those numbers
are strictly behavioral rather than medical.”

That explanation does not make sense to me. I once went to an ob/gyn that gave me a questionnaire
that asked if I have ever done anal intercourse. THAT would be behavioral, too, so does this mean
that that information isn't private and protected by federal law?

She also responded that asking about abortions is a standard medical question. Oh really? I have
never had anyone except a gynecologist ask me about abortions. Since when is that a standard medical
question? Is asking about anal intercourse going to become a “standard medical question” too?

Leticia Ramos also stated that members are expected to be accountable to the rest of the class. Huh?
Why would I want to be accountable to total strangers about a medically supervised weight loss program?
I was planning on being accountable to the doctor, the nurses, the instructor, my husband and myself.
But to any creepy males in the class I barely know? (The policy is company wide, according to the
Privacy Practices on what seems to be the site for the HMR corporation in Boston, MA. The privacy
statement seems to be connected to Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Auburndale MA.)

I have been put through hell by an autoimmune disorder that no one can figure out. There are days where
it is painful to walk. Why would I have to justify my numbers to a stranger, when those numbers are
affected by a disease that has plagued me most of my life? How on earth is that going to help me loose
weight?

Issue # 3 – They set your medical history up for outside discussion

I am peri-menopausal, and due to that, I have long, massively heavy periods. Two days after the second
class, an exceptionally painful, crampy period came. So I decided not to go to third class, because I did
not want to have to discuss with the men in the class as to why I wasn’t able to hit my exercise goals. I
mean really, what business would it be of theirs as to what my uterus does to me every month? It’s bad
enough that I would have to explain my fibromyalgia. But stuff regarding my uterus? Umm, gee, I think I
will pass.

Issue # 4 – Camino Medical Group isn’t much help either

I left a voicemail with Cathy Brown Smith, the privacy officer at Camino Medical Group, voicing my
concerns that the HMR program should be more up front about posting client’s numbers in class. I
also voiced my concerns that questions about deeply private things, such as abortions, numbers and
names of sexual partners, practices of oral sex or anal intercourse, aren’t covered by HIPAA because
those are "behavioral data" (and not medical data).

I never received a call back.

Issue # 5 - Dr. Bennion isn't very interested in what he doesn't understand

I had been hoping to find a medically supervised program with an endocrinologist so that I could get some
explanation as to why I get so many problems with fibromyalgia, pain, faintness, dizziness and cognitive
confusion when I attempt to lose weight. I also have an autoimmune disorder of some sort.

Dr. Bennion was able to give me two pieces of information: I probably become hypotensive and hypokalemic
during weight loss. So salting my food and taking potassium supplements should help. Those were two useful
pieces to the puzzle of my problem with weight loss.

However, Dr Bennion seemed completely uninterested in addressing any aspect of my autoimmune disorder,
leading me to believe there's a bit of one-size-fits-all approach going on with HMR. So if you have any
unusual medical issues, good luck getting help with HMR. So much for thorough medical supervision.

In Summary

Perhaps you came across this web page as you googled for patient satisfaction or experience with HMR or
with Camino Medical Group. This web page is just an FYI of my own personal experience. Aside from this
one experience, all other experiences at Camino Medical Group have been very good.

Granted, I realize that perhaps you are the sort of person who would do well in a weight loss situation
where you have to be accountable to total strangers. Perhaps you don't have personal reproductive organ
symptoms or an unusual disease that has nearly ruined your life. My point is that the program should warn
people up front. Not everyone finds the HMR treatment to be supportive or encouraging. And if you have
any unusual medical issues, the HMR one-size-fits-all approach may not work for you.

Furthermore, considering the constant push of the right-wing to persecute women and their choices regarding
their reproductive organs, think twice about how you answer any medical questionnaires regarding your sexual
practices, sexual history or your sex organs. Your answers may not be as private as you think they are.

Sincerely,
L. Hull
Email: blueaerocat at yahoo dot com