Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong – S23 E8: Life and Death

Introduction

In episode 23, season 8 of Something Was Wrong, hosted by Tiffany Reese from Broken Cycle Media | Wondery, the focus shifts to the harrowing experiences of survivors dealing with negligence and malpractice at Origins Birth and Wellness, a birth center in Texas. Titled "Life and Death," this episode delves deep into the systemic failures, personal traumas, and the relentless pursuit of justice by the survivors.

Origins Birth and Wellness: A Troubling Beginning

The episode opens with Markita recounting her collaboration with Kristen to scrutinize their respective medical records. Markita states:

“We pored over her records and my records. I was trying to understand where legally they had messed up and where they had violated a direct code from their bylaws...” ([03:12])

Their investigation reveals alarming discrepancies in the operations of Origins Birth and Wellness, raising questions about the qualifications and actions of its midwives.

Regulatory Violations and Licensing Issues

Tiffany Reese provides a detailed account of Gina Phillips, one of the owners of Origins:

"Gina Phillips became a licensed midwife on March 28, 2013. By the end of that same year, the Texas Midwifery Board would receive at least one complaint..." ([04:02])

Gina faced multiple violations related to prenatal care guidelines, improper referrals, and failure to initiate immediate transfers during labor complications. Despite these infractions, provisions allowed her to continue practicing under probation with stringent conditions, highlighting gaps in the regulatory framework.

Financial Malpractices and Overbilling

Survivors exposed Origins for unethical financial practices. Kristen explains:

"Origins charged globally and you paid all of your fees up front... unless you went back and looked through your verification of benefits, you wouldn’t know you’d been overcharged." ([09:38])

Gina Thompson shares her personal ordeal of being overcharged by over $3,000, detailing the practice of balance billing, which is illegal in Texas, especially for in-network patients. Despite attempts to seek refunds and report these practices to the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), survivors faced significant obstacles:

“...TDLR is responsible for insurance fraud and stuff like that. Whoever I talk to on the phone, I let them know...” ([13:43])

Inadequate Oversight and Investigation Processes

The episode critically examines the role of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in handling complaints against midwives. Kristen articulates her frustrations:

“TDLR specializes in giving admin fines and things like that for violated terms. They don't charge criminally...” ([29:15])

Despite serious allegations, including practicing medicine without a license and Medicaid fraud, TDLR's limited authority and lack of resources hindered comprehensive investigations, leaving survivors without adequate recourse.

Community Response and Media Exposure

In a bid to seek justice, survivors turned to media outlets. Kristen narrates her outreach efforts:

"I emailed Morgan, an investigative journalist... Morgan actually emailed me the same day." ([36:13])

This led to a segment by WFAA, which brought widespread attention to Origins' malpractice. However, the response was polarized, with some former clients defending Origins while survivors highlighted the systemic issues.

Closure and Aftermath

By November 2024, Origins Dallas permanently closed, though its Fort Worth location remained operational under new management. Survivors continued to face challenges in seeking justice and restitution:

“Here's Amanda. We knew that they were changing birth records...” ([34:06])

Gina Thompson underscores the enduring trauma faced by survivors:

“I have spoken to people who are 10 years out from their birth trauma and they remember it like yesterday.” ([48:55])

Broader Implications and Systemic Failures

The episode concludes by highlighting the broader implications of Origins' malpractice, suggesting that such negligence is not an isolated incident but indicative of systemic failures in the regulation of midwifery in Texas. Markita emphasizes the lack of accountability:

“Licensed midwives lose a baby, but transfer that mother to the hospital before the baby dies... there is very little recourse given...” ([46:22])

Kristen reflects on the emotional and psychological toll:

“I felt like I had been turned inside out and then set on fire emotionally and psychologically.” ([48:04])

Conclusion

Something Was Wrong – S23 E8: Life and Death offers a poignant exploration of the struggles faced by survivors of Origins Birth and Wellness. Through meticulous investigation and heartfelt testimonies, the episode sheds light on the critical need for better regulatory oversight, accountability, and support systems to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Notable Quotes:

• Markita ([03:12]): “...what happened to her son was absolutely preventable...”

• Gina Thompson ([08:00]): “This is how they started out their career together. It tells me a lot.”

• Kristen ([09:24]): “...you don't have to be on this bandwagon to bring justice to Origins...”

• Markita ([46:22]): “Licensed midwives lose a baby, but transfer that mother to the hospital before the baby dies...”

• Kristen ([48:04]): “I felt like I had been turned inside out and then set on fire emotionally and psychologically.”

Resources & Further Information:

For listeners seeking more information or support, the episode notes provide comprehensive resources, including contact information for relevant regulatory bodies and support groups for survivors.

Stay Tuned:

In the final moments, Kristen hints at ongoing investigations and the realization that the issues at Origins reflect broader statewide and national problems, setting the stage for future episodes that will continue to unravel these critical issues.

This summary captures the essence of "Life and Death," highlighting the key discussions, insights, and emotional narratives shared by the survivors as they navigate the complexities of seeking justice against Origins Birth and Wellness.