Opinion ID: 3003756
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Poetz’s Medical Issues

Text: The record in this case belies Poetz’s contention that the judge did not adequately consider her medical needs. 6 No. 09-2359 Under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), the judge should consider (among other things) the need to provide the defendant with medical care in the “most effective manner.” 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a)(2)(D). Section 5H1.4 of the guidelines explains that while a defendant’s physical condition is not ordinarily relevant, an “extraordinary physical impairment” may be a reason for a below-guidelines sentence. U.S.S.G. § 5H1.4 (Policy Statement). Poetz presented abundant evidence of her medical infirmities to the court. She fails to acknowledge, however, the obvious care with which the court addressed her medical issues. Poetz’s health problems took center stage during this protracted sentencing, and the judge imposed a sentence substantially below the applicable guidelines range largely because of her medical condition. Significant to our analysis here, Poetz’s sentencing took place over the course of more than a year and involved five separate hearings. The judge took an active role in gathering medical records and facilitating communication with the BOP regarding the appropriate level of care and whether the BOP could adequately meet Poetz’s needs. At the final sentencing hearing, the judge acknowledged the “genuineness of [Poetz’s] medical issues,” and addressed the need for the BOP to provide the “appropriate levels and regimens of treatment” and to “monitor Ms. Poetz’s issues” on an ongoing basis. Although judges may properly reject the BOP’s boiler- plate assurances that its facilities adequately provide for a defendant’s medical care, see United States v. Gee, 226 F.3d 885, 902 (7th Cir. 2000), nothing prevents a judge from accepting the BOP’s nonboilerplate assurances No. 09-2359 7 of adequate care, especially where, as here, the BOP’s medical staff has reviewed not one but two sets of the defendant’s medical records. We conclude that the judge adequately considered Poetz’s medical issues and the need to provide her with medical care in the “most effective manner.”