[malandrew]

    "Naturally, the government made her and her family agree 
    never to say, or even speculate aloud about why it was 
    done when they paid for the surgery..."

I find it shocking that we afford the government the unilateral right to gag an individual from talking in exchange for treatment owed. I would hope that our judicial system would review such an arrangement and nullify a non-disclosure clause in this incident. Near as I can tell it sounds like your friend's aunt never entered into a binding legal relationship with those that contributed to her cancer until after it had been demonstrated that they were at fault. How those responsible can get a judgement or arbitration that includes such a non-disclosure when that party is so obviously wrong and at fault is simply mind-boggling.

[philwelch]

Most out-of-court settlements entail non-disclosure and non-disparagement. It's fairly standard.