An open letter to our friends.

 

We tried very hard to provide a service to our community. We wanted to help fellow citizens who needed their own healthcare advocate to negotiate the ever-increasing maize of today’s healthcare system. We were under the impression that we could make a difference.

 

Several people did call us for help. I sincerely believe that we were able to help them.

 

The “Catch 22” is that in order to get the organization up, and running, well – it is an expensive proposition. We took the money out of our own pocket for the MANY organizational costs. Rent, phones, permits, licenses and fees, and seed money to get the word out about our ability to help. It represents a personal expenditure of several thousand dollars, and countless hours of time and energy.

 

The problem is – we did not get one single dime in donations or other financial support from ANYONE! We gave it our best effort but, frankly, this well has run dry. There are multitudes of reasons, including hard financial times for everyone, but the fact remains that we simply cannot continue to volunteer hundreds of hours in service, AND continue to pump our own money into a concept that was unable to garner any public financial support whatsoever!

 

The final insult came in the mail today. The Utah "Consumer Protection Agency" is fining us for failing to file our financial disclosure forms in a timely manner. This, in spite of the fact that there was essentially nothing for us to report to them.

 

We are sorry, but we have no option other than close down our operations – entirely - immediately! We regret that we are no longer able to assist the neediest in our community, but obviously, ours was a concept “before it’s time.”

 

Now, we cannot, and will not, accept any further financial donations from the public any more. To our generous volunteers, we express our deep appreciation for your commitments of time and talent. You did make a difference, and there are still opportunities for you to serve the community in other ways. I hope you do not become too disheartened, and that you will continue with your generous souls through other channels.

 

With a very heavy heart, I must say goodbye to each and every one of you.

 

Sincerely,

 

David B. Burnham

Founding President, Utah Patient Advocates, Inc.