I wouldn't say it is common knowledge.  I have ordered from MAD more than several times in the past before he deleted my account.  I heard many excuses as to why he hadn't processed or delivered the order such as bad weather had stopped the postal service, USPS online service had gone down, email problems and the BS kept coming.  Not once did he mention poor health as a reason.  If he had of, I and most others would have been sympathetic and understanding.  To abuse customers or just refuse to answer their queries is just plain bad form.  He has lost a huge amount of business around the world due to his poor communication skills.

Health issues is just another delaying tactic in a long list of excuses for not replying or fulfilling orders for months (and as JohnWartJr points out, years on end).

Posts.c.r.i.p.t: It seems he has recently received some medicine from CPR - a remarkable recovery . ;)