University of Iowa fundraising tactics questioned

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Some tactics the University of Iowa Foundation uses to raise money for the university's hospitals are being questioned because patient information is being shared with fundraisers.

Officials with the University of Iowa's hospitals and the foundation defended the way they raise money as ethical.

But patient advocates say the campaign that uses letters signed by doctors appears to be taking advantage about the way people feel about doctors who helped them.

And the foundation hired three fundraising companies to help, and at least two of those firms failed to register with Iowa officials and report details of their campaigns.

Hospital spokesman Tom Moore says the fundraising campaign is legal and ethical. And he says it is in line with what other hospitals are doing.