We had to tell a patient today that she is probably going to die.

[MedicalAdmin]

We are a smaller community clinic and we keep prices as low as we can and still keep the doors open. As a result we see lots of patients who can't afford private insurance but make about $20 too much a year to get public insurance. I just posted a fundraiser poster for one of our patients who has stage 4 cancer. It won't be much but the idea is to keep up with treatments as much as possible and keep her families finances and home together for her kids after she likely passes away this year.

She is 30 and has a husband and 2 little kids. She's a wonderful and giving person who volunteers and helps out others and always has a good word for everyone she meets. Both parents work full time. They spend tons of time with their families and kids. They go to church. They help their neighbors. They are the poster kids for good neighbors. The future doesn't look bright for her or her family.

If this country had a single payer system then the tests she needed to find this before it became a problem. It just would have taken the cost of one screen a year. It wasn't an expensive test but being out of pocket they just couldn't afford to do it for the past 2 years. I am crying as I write this. For the want of a couple hundred dollars this woman has to die. Her children will grow up without their mother. Her husband will ... I don't know.

I just don't know. I swear I am going to punch the teeth out of the head of the next idiot to tell me that socialized medicine is just about freeloaders. This was completely avoidable. For our part we are now giving her free care as part of her support team. It's too little too late. Somedays I hate my job.

[MineralMan]

1. Yes.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. I cannot imagine the pain your job must sometimes bring you.

I cross my fingers every day that nothing such as this will befall me. I can afford my son's health insurance, I can afford to triple my life insurance, I cannot afford the $1200/month it would cost to insure myself. It is a horrible situation. I am so sorry.

[MedicalAdmin]

61. I will cross my fingers for you too.

I hope your life is full and rich.

[sabrina 1]

3. It should long ago, have had people out in the streets

demanding a National Health Care system, removing the profiteers from the equation, and joining the rest of the civilized world in viewing health care as a right.

What is WRONG with Americans that they tolerate being treated this way by their own government? We may as well be a third world country run by heartless and cruel dictators. And the sad thing is to see people actually defending this crime.

I hope this woman gets the help she needs, so many do not as we now know.

[calimary]

21. Bewildering, isn't it? Especially since the very same people who SHOULD be out

in the streets, marching and protesting and agitating are the very same people gnashing their teeth about "SOCIALISM!!!" and "DEATH PANELS!" and "BIG GUMMNT BAAAAAAADDDD!!!!" Frickin' idiots. Single-payer or other public-option-type provisions are EXACTLY what would help THEM the most!!!!!!!! It's just incomprehensible. And why they all worship at the altar of corporate America - which has none of their interests at heart... SHEESH!

It makes no sense. Unfortunately, for some really evil people, it makes dollars by the ton.

[sabrina 1]

23. Yes, it is bewildering. It's apparently the result of a lot of

very expensive propaganda and the lack of a responsible media, who just cover the propaganda but never challenge it. Still, there are all sorts of ways to get information today. Party politics, the attitude that you must support 'your team' no matter how wrong they are, seems to be very prevalent in this country.

Otoh, when polls are conducted that do not involve political parties, just questions about Universal HC eg, a majority of Americans support it. I blame the 24/7 rightwing media playing into some kind of base instincts to defend the 'team' at all costs.

And the lack of a counter educational program from the left.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

84. propaganda and the wide reach of corporations

It just dawned on me that the reason (well part of the reason) we seem to take so much abuse quietly is the difficulty with narrowing down the who, what and where.

The Corporate control is not centered in one tyrant at the helm, but in multi nationals who have succeeded in gaining way too much control over our govt., as well as the size of the country and many States.

I think that is why it's so difficult to organize opposition.....in part, at least.

[sabrina 1]

101. You make a good point. I don't understand it but that would

make sense. They have no face, so we don't know who to be angry at. It's a 'system'. Like Communism eg. Also because it probably didn't happen all at once, it happened incrementally and there were always people who defend these 'changes' and fall for the rationale for them. Just like we have people now justifying not having a Single Payer system, or even a PO. Two years ago they would never have defended not having at least a PO. So, they get worn down, and when their team, people they like, tell them it's okay, they just go along.

I think the other reason is that Americans are used to belonging to teams, to cheering for their team even when they lose or do wrong. Same thing with politics, there are only two teams and when one is in power, their fans will never openly criticize them and will defend them completely no matter how much wrong they are doing. See the Bushbots. But when the other team wins, the same thing happens. And that makes it easy for those controlling everything.

When people stop acting like they must cheer for the team and start focusing on issues more, things might begin to change, as both teams will then have to worry about getting reelected. Right now, the system makes it unnecessary for them to have to worry too much.

[AndyTiedye]

52. Perhaps There Were People Out In the Streets

How would we know? The MSM wouldn't say anything about it.

[barbtries]

53. that's right

it's not that the left doesn't know the message and doesn't do a lot to disseminate the message. the corporate media will not COVER the message. this is a huge frustration.

[MedicalAdmin]

64. Our clinic and staff fought for and will continue to fight..

for single payer.

It's the only option that makes sence ethically and financially.

[MedicalAdmin]

63. We are doing what we can for her ...

... but at this point there is a limit to what we can do. Our goal now is to work for remission but at the same time maximize her functionality so that if she passes on her last months will be relatively pain free and productive so she has as much time with her family as she needs.

Gods - this hurts.

[emilyg]

90. We have gotten lazy. In the 50's and 60's

we loved to get out in the street and make our voices heard.

[xchrom]

4. Recommend

[lapislzi]

5. I'm so sorry.

If only there were a thousand, a hundred thousand, a million more like you. Doctors, nurses, techs, are all squeezed by the insurance monster as much as patients.

As awful as it is to die, it comes to all of us. Watching someone die before their time is horrible, especially when one's helping hands are tied behind one's back.

I am so sorry for your pain.

[bobbolink]

132. "when one's helping hands are tied behind one's back." Excellently and poetically worded!

That's a beautiful and graphic description of what the poster is probably feeling.

Thanks.

[wtmusic]

6. Are online donations possible? nt

[MedicalAdmin]

12. Donations can be made at the local bank.

Here's the info. I can release it even due to HIPPA due to permission of the patient to release this information into the public so that she has a fighting chance.

Melissa Gahler Benefit c/o

Farmers & Merchants State Bank - Main Office
80 Main Street
P. O. Box 308
Pierz, Minnesota 56364
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.fmpierz.com

They are not set up to take online payment but they can take checks or will take phone calls and get payment over the phone. The teller to talk to is Jenny Nieken who is running the benefit.

Any help anyone can give is greatly appreciated.

[bluestate10]

39. Thanks. nt

[MedicalAdmin]

65. Thanks to you.

I appreciate DUer so much today. Most days I manage to hold my cookies together while watching the worst that corporate america can through at our brothers and sisters. Today was just a bit too much. I feel a bottle of Jamisons in my near future.

[Mimosa]

104. Medical Admin, my heart goes out to you

My long time pal in another state (we'd metin New Orleans) is a med prof and expresses the same feelings you have. He self medicates with Old forester when it gets to be too much.

The corporate masters won't let us have a universal care system like developed civilised countries. They tell us social spending is 'breaking the budget' while they borrow and spend for unending wars.

[CreekDog]

7. What do you expect from the greatest nation on the face of the earth???

I expect better.

[tabatha]

8. Unbelievably sad. And unnecessary.

I hope she and her family get good community support.

[MedicalAdmin]

66. Her entire community is rallying around her.

And her family. The local bank and most of the local businesses (of which we are not one being about 1 hours drive away) have circled the wagons and gone on a fundraising spree. The local kids at the schools are pulling in money as well as the Lions, Kiwanas, Shriners, Legion etc... but it's a drop in the bucket.

I hope some of our more flush members can contribute what they feel they can to someone who they have never met. She's what my mom used to call "good folks."

Thanks to everyone here on DU.

[DainBramaged]

9. Life in America shouldn't be like this

send this story to your Congress persons and Senators. let them know you are watching, and it is their fault we are slaves to the Health crook lobby

[MedicalAdmin]

24. Good point - I'll do that.

We are placing posters in town, putting it on the front page of our webpage and in our newsletter.

And now I'll send it to the governernment folks and the local media. If nothing else it might help.

[ceile]

10. So sad.

30 years old and it could have been prevented...I don't whether to scream or cry.

[bobbolink]

30. You can do both. I do.

[GreenPartyVoter]

49. Me too... :^(

[MedicalAdmin]

67. Yah - me too. It's one of those cancers that is almost

completely preventable, but hard to cure.

...


I need to hit something. Maybe an insurance adjuster... just sayin'.

[murphyj87]

11. Examples of why the US needs a single payer system

Video of American living in exile in Canada rather than being denied health care in the US.
Kathleen, the younger one of the two who speak, with the son with dermatomyositis, is producer of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/v/9TWuO5dBYjo?fs=1

CBC news feature on the casualties of American insurance run health care

http://www.youtube.com/v/T6i3RZdu7_k?fs=1

Canadians discuss our Canadian single payer health care system

http://www.youtube.com/v/VQFX32Ed7ZQ?fs=1

[MedicalAdmin]

27. These are great links.

FYI - our medical director is still making sounds about moving the entire clinic to Canada and taking a job at one of the medical schools up there.

I look at it this way, any system is better than the non system that the US (doesn't) have.

[murphyj87]

35. My cousin...

My cousin teaches emergency medicine and anesthesiology at the medical school at Dalhousie University. He also has a long list of American and European hospitals who want him to conduct weekend seminars on those subjects as well, which he does occasionally.

[MedicalAdmin]

50. Dr. Aberle is looking at a primary gig at ...

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (to teach functional medicine) with other gigs at a few other local institutiions and perhaps a research position at Metagenics Canada. In conjunction with this she would also establish and run her own clinic.

I worry that Canada is too heavily dependent on the US economy for too much of it's income. They really need to diversify more to the EU and asia.

[murphyj87]

54. Pierre Trudeau said.......

Living next to you is in some ways like sleeping with an elephant. No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast, if I can call it that, one is affected by every twitch and grunt.

[MedicalAdmin]

58. Sleeping next to an elephant.

Love him or hate him Tredeau was one of a kind. I kinda miss seeing the dude on the international scene -

Regarding elephants - what if it rolls over while sleeping, or breaks wind?

[stockholmer]

111. Canada blocks people from coming in if they will be 'burden on society' due to medical problems, so

ill Americans are SOL as far as 'escaping' north of the border.

This denial applies even to children, partners, and spouses of Canadian citizens if they are deemed a danger due to the illness, and the exams are only done by oficial Canadian doctors.

http://www.canadavisa.com/immigration-medical-inadmissi...


Every applicant for a Canada Immigration Visa and some applicants for temporary status in Canada are required to undergo a medical examination by a medical officer.
Though medical examinations are generally confined to a standard physical exam including blood and urine tests and x-rays, prior medical records as well as the applicants' mental state are examined.

Applicants may be denied a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa solely on medical grounds, if:

Their condition would endanger the health or safety of the Canadian population at large; or
Their admission might cause excessive demand on existing social or health services provided by the government. *

When determining whether any person is inadmissible on medical grounds, the medical officer is obliged to consider the nature, severity or probable duration of any health impairment from which the person is suffering as well as other factors, such as:

Danger of contagion;
Unpredictable or unusual behaviour that may create a danger to public safety; and
The supply of social or health services that the person may require in Canada and whether the use of such services will deprive Canadian nationals of these services.
* The excessive demand component is waived under the Family Sponsorship category of Canada immigration for the spouse, common-law partner, conjugal partner and dependent children of the Sponsor. The Sponsored person(s) still may be refused if their condition is considered to be a danger to Canadian public health or safety.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2010/05/18...


Disabled child can't stay in Canada: court


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-10426...


Emigrating British family turned away from Canada because their daughter, 7, is disabled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2009/01/19...

Canada deports disabled U.K. citizen

[louslobbs]

13. I cried while reading this, still am, health care is a right, not a privilege, I am sorry this is

happening to wonderful people in our sad, sadistic country. I'm sorry for you as well, to see this and deal with it on a daily basis, must take its toll. I am totally sickened by what this country has become. Thank you for sharing this post, and I will stand in solidarity with you to punch the teeth out of the faces of those who would dare make an excuse for our corporate system of health profiteers, the insurance cartels and ignore the suffering of those, but for a simple yearly test, would be healthy and with their families. I want to scream out loud, as my mother died young because she couldn't afford a breast exam. You keep fighting the battle, don't you ever give in and don't you ever give up medicaladmin, you are one of the good ones and my heart aches for this young mother, her children, her husband, and you. Jesus Christ, sometimes I just want this world to stop so I can get the fuck off. (apologies for the bad language to those it offended)
Lou

[MedicalAdmin]

68. I will give up the fight when they pry my cold dead fingers...

... of the throat of an insurance exec.

[louslobbs]

77. I really feel you my friend, I am so sorry.

Lou

[999998th word]

100. What [s]he said.^ K-R

[Cleita]

14. Unfortunately, the douches in Congress

had tons of similar stories dumped on their desks during the health care debates, yet they wouldn't even allow the doctors into the meetings who tried to talk to them about the need for single payer or at least a public option. Those who attempted to be heard were arrested. Our President wasn't very interested either.

[ontime1969]

15. rough situation

I agree mostly with you, its a sad situation. I have to tell patients bad news often, and it certainly a hard thing to do. I have never been able to do it without getting tears in my eyes.

What I disagree with is that, even if things are available or affordable does not mean all people will take advantage of it. I see plenty of patients everyday who even though they have insurance and Ive requested numerous times that they go have a certain exam or tests, they are either too busy, they forgot or didn't get around to it. Unfortunately a single payer or socialized medicine will not change the fact that the average American does not do anything until they absolutely have to. Unfortunately when it comes to health this decision can kill you.

[murphyj87]

22. I agree to some extent.......

In Canada, there are a handful of people who choose not to follow the recommendations of their physicians, but at least all Canadians can see a physician. One of my uncles died of a heart attack, and when we went into his house, I found several prescriptions for hypertension about 9 months old, but they appeared close to full. When I counted them out, it turned out that he had not taken a single pill that his physician had prescribed for his hypertension.

At least all Canadians have the opportunity to see a physician and to have whatever tests, treament, surgery, and hospitalization that their physicians recommend. Urban legends in the US have the government in Canada deciding who gets treatment or what treatment they get, but that is all that is, urban legends and totally false. The fact is that the government has absolutely no say in it, and whatever our physicians recommend is paid for by the government. This is opposed to the situation in the US, where American insurance company bureaucrats decide if you can see a physician or not, and if they let you see a physician, the insurance company bureaucrat then decides if you get the treatment that your physician recommends, or if the insurance company bureaucrat is going to overrule your physician, and deny or ration your health care. No such thing occurs in Canada, where all Canadians get the health care that most Americans can only dream about, but not have.

[MedicalAdmin]

26. Thanks for that info.

While there are some patients who are like that, in this case this is a woman who very much is compliant with Dr. suggestions, and of course our docs are very good at getting that complience. As a clinic that doesn't bill insurance (thus allowing us to keep our prices down drastically (I estimate that we are able to charge 50% less than other clinics doing the same job just down the street but who bill insurance - this is due to the huge overhead needed to fight insurance companies for every payment) we serve patients who really want care but who have to make every decision and dollar count.

It isn't a case of them ignoring advice in our case, but rather having no other option. And that should be criminal.

[Mimosa]

108. ^ Re: "huge overhead needed to fight insurance companies for every payment" ^

MedicalAdmin, from MDs I've heard about "the huge overhead needed to fight insurance companies for every payment". It's an added , needless expense for clinics and frustrating for the doctors who want to provide good care for their patients.

As far as I've heard, there is nothing in the Affordable Care Act of 2010 which would improve the situation. Come 2014, doctors will still have to spend time and resources to get the insurance companies to approve treatments, not to mention the hurdles clinics battle to collect payment from insurers.

Do you see anything in the ACA of 2010 which would change this?

[MedicalAdmin]

117. I see nothing in the ACA that will change this.

The adveserial system that allows insurance clerks reading computer screens to practice medicine without a license will continue unabated with legions trained to say COVERAGE DENIED by their corporate masters.

[dflprincess]

89. Sometimes it may depend on the insurance a person has

The screening test may be covered but, if that test comes back needing follow up, someone with a high deductible policy may not be able to afford that. And, if you can't afford the follow up, why have the first test to begin with?

I know from personal experience that it can cost several thousand dollars to find out that the odd spot on the mammogram is benign. Fortunately, I had decent insurance at the time and had to pay very little out of pocket.

[Coyote_Bandit]

16. .

Thank you. I am so sorry you're job requires this of you.

Sending warm thoughts and prayers for this woman and all who know and love her. What happened to her should be criminal.

[MedicalAdmin]

69. It's strange but I actually feel blessed to be able to do this job.

I have had a great run of luck in my life and although I am pretty poor relatively speaking, most days I can't believe I get paid to do what I do. It's just that today isn't one of those days.

But we haven't given up on this woman yet and we won't. If nothing else we can help her be functional and pain free for as long as she has... there is always hope. But some days hope seems just a little farther away that other days....

[louslobbs]

127. They did the same thing for my mother, kept her comfortable, pain free and hospice was wonderful,

came to the house, spent lots of quality time with all of us, until the cancer metastasized and went to her brain. A few weeks later, she passed. I wasn't making anywhere near the income I make today, so I always felt guilty, that if she were alive today, I could have saved her by putting her on my insurance as she didn't have any and suffered horribly for it. If I'd had a little more time, I could have gotten her the insurance she needed, for the tests that might have detected the lump early, before the lymph nodes were affected and the spread of the cancer began. She was a good lady, died at 54 and it nearly killed me as well. MedicaAdmin, I have nothing but respect for you as human being and everything you do to ease the suffering of those in your care. Thank you.
Lou

[bobbolink]

133. Oh, Lou, I'm sorry!

To be left feeling "guilty" when it all could have been prevented had we had a country that put citizens before profits... well, that is just sad beyond words.

I know there is no magical way of easing those returning thoughts.

I appreciate you.

[louslobbs]

134. Thanks Bobbo, it was kind of you to say those words to me, I appreciate you also.

Isn't it the truth though, everyone who deals with these types of situations, knows, somewhere in the back of their minds, that most of the pain and suffering (and deaths) could have been prevented had we put people before profits, something the Insurance Cartels, will refuse to do, ever, which is why we need to put them out of business and make sure that all of our people have universal, single payer health access and real care.
Lou

[bobbolink]

136. Yes, I do think we know that. The thought has occurred to me, with this onslaught of Randism, that

a BIIIIG billboard with a Rand quote on one side, and Matthew 25 on the other side might jolt some into some awareness.

However, for someone who already knows and lives these things and has the scars to prove it, what I have is another

[louslobbs]

137. I like the way you think........all the best, Lou

[louslobbs]

135. I also left you an email on your private email address, read it when you can, thanks

Lou

[Pool Hall Ace]

17. Recommended.

There should be no sad stories like this. I am disgusted with "health care" in this country.

[Armstead]

18. This is why some of us are so "uncompromising" on the issue of health care reform

I know many medical professionals who hate the present system, because of stories like this, and who recognize that "tweakiung" it is not the real solution.

[MedicalAdmin]

70. Amen brother.

If any single issue could have saved this countries bacon (along with cutting the military drastically) it would have been single payer.

Go Vermont!

[MuseRider]

19. Repeated over and over again.

You now have the job to give her the best comfort available as she leaves this cruel circumstance. Been there, done that. Don't hate your job, if not able to save her you will give her this. In this one thing, she and her family are lucky. She will be in the care of people who truly care.

I am so sorry for you and her caregivers. I am so sorry for her and her family and friends. Hate the people that won't care and won't even try to understand this with what remains of their humanity. This is going to repeat over and over again until we have leaders with the guts to remember that their job is to make life here in America good for all of US and fight for it.

Bless your heart. She will at least leave this life surrounded by love and caring. In this country now it is the best you have to offer. My tears are a mixture of sorrow and anger. This should not happen. She is lucky to have you. Sending strength of heart and soul to all of you. (hug)

[MedicalAdmin]

71. Thanks.

[libmom74]

20. I worked in an Oncology unit for

9 years, I saw people who had insurance become financially devestated because of our greedy for profit system. We had one poor guy in his early thirties with a pretty good IT job his wife was substitute teacher and they had two little girls.He was diagnosed with an agressive lymphoma. Between his time in our unit and the ICU he was in the hospital about 6 months (pretty much everything that could go wrong did). He ran out of FMLA and had to go on COBRA but they couldn't afford it and once he died the medical bills destroyed his family, they lost everything. That happened when I first started working in the unit, that's when I became a single payer advocate. There is no excuse for this country not to have a national health care system, when you actually talk to people about it and how it could work in this country most people are in favor of it, the problem is there is no politcal will and there is no political will becaues our politicians (in both parties) are too busy lining their pockets with blood money from the Health Insurance and Pharmaceutical lobbies.

[bobbolink]

32. Would it be possible to write that as an LTTE?

I don't know the ethics of someone who works in the field, so I am asking.

It just has to be more in the spotlight!

Thank you for becoming an advocate!

[MedicalAdmin]

72. LTTE?

What is LTTE?

[bobbolink]

81. sorry... Letter To The Editor.

I can imagine you would hesitate, but somehow I think these stories need to get a lot more exposure.

[MedicalAdmin]

118. I willl need to check with the pt. but if she OK's it....

Then I will write to the local media.

[bobbolink]

129. Thank you. You know, that would probably be very difficult for her and her family at

such a critical time. I'm not at all sure I could do it. Although, I don't have a family to support me, so ..... It is all a very individual thing.

However, if she gives her OK, it is definitely true that the media will have the largest impact with educating people. Especially if they included you to talk about the system realities. It would also most likely result in them getting donations, as that is what people do... rather than see the broader implications and fight that in their name, they want to see it ss an individual problem, and give $$.

To think about... if she doesn't want the public attention, and nobody could fault her for that, she may be OK with you speaking as a head of an organization dealing with this mess, and not give her name or defining details. Speaking just as you did here on DU, in a LTTE. If you wanted to, you could also CC it to a reporter you think writes well, and see it that writer picks it up.

IN any case, both for your sanity and that of the other medical professionsal deaing with this shit, it needs to come to light. Are there any other professionals in your area you could join with to do a public statement --either an LTTE or a more in-the-spotlight media thing... like with a press release, etc?

I think its worth pondering. Your voice is powerful. What you said here on DU needs to have a larger microphone.

Thanks for sharing your soul on this!

[libmom74]

103. I haven't done that but it's something

to try. A few years ago before I became really ill myself I helped to set up a few community meetings with an organization called Health Care for All and I spoke about some experiences that I've had.

[bobbolink]

138. I put in a lot of time with Health Care for All Colorado, and they devoted a lot of energy to

a hearing, but it didn't really pan out. I think part of the problem was that rather than be directed towards illuminating the people on the receiving end, it was for the politicians etc to hear, and they simply didn't show.

These experiences definitely need to be heard, but I don't know a good way to do it. I think we are coming to realize that we are on our own, and need to stop waiting for leaders, and figure out our own ways to bring people together and take ACTION.

I think that video about the kids taking over the school board in AZ is quite instructive.

[Cowpunk]

123. Why stop there? Write an editorial

Many newspapers will print editorials by ordinary citizens. You don't have to be some kind of big shot, but it helps a lot to have some professional expertise and first hand experience with the issue.

[anneboleyn]

36. Great post. Our system is a nightmare, and too many people don't realize this until they are ill

and then nothing can be done.

[CTyankee]

25. I remember going to fundraiser for a cancer survivor who needed follow up

chemo after cancer surgery. Her insurance only covered the surgery, refused to pay for the needed follow up chemo. It was a charity luncheon, with a raffle of donated items. We raised several thousand dollars but I'm sure it only went so far. I wonder sometimes how she's doing...

[Mimosa]

107. ^'Her insurance only covered surgery, refused to pay for the follow up chemo.'^

The same insurance companies will still be dictating care -and age-related premium prices- in 2014. I wonder how much 'different' things will be then? People will still be poor, there will still be high deductibles and co-pays. The ACA of 2010 did not address these problems.

[Odin2005]

28. !!!

[MedicalAdmin]

29. Thanks everyone for the feedback and support.

I heard back from the bank teller when I called about 10 minutes ago that they have had some phone calls. This place really is great. Thanks for the support.

I hate that we HAVE to have fundraisers... but I'll be damned if I'm going gently into this good night without taking a swing at the system that makes shit like this happen.

[bobbolink]

33. Yes, our "health care system" is a collection jar at the local 7-11.

[MedicalAdmin]

59. It's funny but the last time I was in canada a few years ago...

... I noticed something strange. None of the convenience stores had signs up asking for donations for health care. None of the them. It's a complete non-issue up there.

And here - get sick without insurance or even with it and you are screwed. I hope you are doing well Bobbie.

[defendandprotect]

31. Preventive medicine is a dirty word in America -- !!

[bertman]

34. Thank you and your team for doing what you can in a terrible and tragic situation. REC. nt

[MedicalAdmin]

73. Thank you DU for your support.

I just wish we could do more. She was an old patient who we hadn't seen in a few years who called us in a panic and we gathered lab exams and reports and medical records and reviewed everything and are making recommendations for treatment and working to get her some free care through grants / etc. but I feel that it is a case of too little too late.

And it breaks my heart.

[lunatica]

37. This made me cry

No one should have to die needlessly. No one.

[sudopod]

38. *hug* nt

[irisblue]

40. your shoes have been on my feet

a few times over the years. i understand your pain. and i am so sorry. we need single payer.

[MedicalAdmin]

74. What can you say except "it sucks."

We aren't giving up and will continue to fight for her but we are Sisyphus pushing a really big rock up a really really big hill.

[Fire1]

41. K&R

[Moostache]

42. My heart breaks for her and her family...

as well as for you having to be so close to such an inhuman situation.

I feel like I have fallen into Wonderland much of the time...

Thieves are rich beyond reason...stealing their "profits" from bailouts and fraud.
Eco-terrorists are richer still...while gouging their "profits" off of record prices.
The poor cannot get healthcare or adequate nutrition and the wealthy use the masses to advance their warped agenda.

I often want to scream to the sky and rip out my hair.
May the trials of your situation bring you peace and equanimity in the future.

[MedicalAdmin]

76. Thanks and thanks for the guinness.

I could use a drink.

[Enthusiast]

43. The people we encounter that fear

socialized medicine say if we have socialized medicine some people would be covered even if they didn't "deserve" it. Fine attitude toward one's fellow man.

[MedicalAdmin]

78. My brother in law was like that.

But then he got laid off and we talked about the religion of health - he's a devout Catholic and he turned the corner and supports it now. He decided that if Jesus supported healing the sick then so should he.

Never give up. You never know when you'll get through to some of the least likely suspects.

[L0oniX]

44. Just think ...all those "freeloaders" who are needing help from big government...

for the storm damage and flooding but ignorantly and hypocritically are against big government single payer health care. When it's one person who will die because of no insurance ...well that's ok but if it's a loss of property due to acts of God then it's ok to have socialist big government help out.

[hfojvt]

45. actually it would take the cost of 300 million screens a year

What is this screening that you think we all should be getting even in our twenties? Now that I am 49 and have had health insurance for seven years maybe I should start getting one.

[MedicalAdmin]

79. Actually it wouldn't.

It's just that this womans medical history and picture made that screen recommended.

Logically not every person needs every test. I just support getting corporate clerks out of the medical decision business. Did you know that in Canada that the insurance clerks can't interfere with medical decisions without going to jail?

[Mimosa]

105. Wow. Simply wow.

Why did Obama not even tell the American people about how the systems of other countries work? He didn't talk about the issues or try to educate people. And public option was never even on the table .

You do know Obama refused to meet with physicians who advocated for single payer system?

[closeupready]

110. Technically, that's supposed to be true in the US, as well - 'practicing medicine without a license'

is what insurance companies are doing when they decide you don't need a medical procedure that your doctor says you do.

[MedicalAdmin]

119. They sneak around that by claiming that....

... they don't practice medicine, they just advise doctors and patients as to what they are willing to pay for and how much they are willing to pay. Thus patients have the option of paying what the insurance company doesn't cover or the doctors office can just eat the loss.

In Canada all doctors know ahead of time, in simple terms that are published once a year online exactly what will be covered and how much it is paid. And most Canadians have private supplementary insurance, many through their jobs, that cover extras that aren't covered in the basic plans. And it costs them about 1/2 of what it costs each of us per year.

Un freaking beleivable, isn't it?

[closeupready]

122. Infuriating and scandalous. But they don't care.

[FourScore]

46. k/r

[neoralme]

47. I am so sorry for this. I hope your patient goes quietly and painlessly

in the night and shares some meaningful last moments with her family. God, this pisses me off.

[rasputin1952]

48. This is so sad...

The GOP is pushing the very "Death Panels" they railed against.

Got insurance or cash, you can live a little longer, nothing to take, you get to die; most likely in extraordinary pain.

Preventive medicine might have given this woman more of a fighting chance...a chance to watch her kids grow up, spend another warm Summer's sunset w/her husband, walk along a sandy beach with the breeze to her back, hand in hand with those she loves and love her...denied...by a self-centered party that believes "helping someone" is some kind of societal disorder.

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Permanut]

55. If the mainstream media WAS liberal,

This and other family related stories are what we'd be seeing on the news every night, instead of Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan. Thanks for the post, Med, this story needs to be told.

[WVRICK13]

56. We Need Real Nationalized Health Care

I have good private insurance through work. When I was diagnosed with stage one cancer last year I was terrified but comforted by the idea my insurance would cover the problem. There was over $40,000 left for me to pay. If that is my share of treating stage one cancer with good insurance how do other people manage? Or do they just die quietly? There indeed are death panels and the members are the Congressmen who voted against and changed the health care bill.

[DFW]

102. I am SO glad my wife was coverd under the German system

When she was diagnosed with cancer ten years ago, she went through hell: two operations, months of chemo,
weeks of radiation. After the awful part was completed, she was then sent to a rehab spa specializing in
breast and thyroid cancer recoveries. She was there for a month. Since she is a German citizen living in
Germany, insurance paid for everything, including even her train down to the rehab clinic in the Black Forest
and back. The Germans consider rehab clinics to be an integral part of the recovery process. Patients get
their own rooms, aquatic training in a heated pool, hikes in the forest, counselling, PT, etc. Now, ten years
later, she looks spectacular and will probably outlive me by 25 years.

I hate to think what we would have been out of pocket in the States (I do not happen to be a member of
Congress). America DOES have great care--IF you can afford it. That ain't how it's supposed to be.

[Initech]

57. That sucks. I swear our corporate masters want to turn us into a third world country.

All for the sake of lining their fucking pocket books. In the next government these Wall St. criminals need to be outlawed.

[Desertrose]

60. Want to? I think they are pretty far down that road.....

and it really really really pisses me off.

[Initech]

75. I hear ya. It's bad, really bad.

[slackmaster]

62. That's very sad, unfortunately with good coverage doctors sometimes miss things that can kill you

I have excellent coverage, and I'm dealing with one myself right now.

A dimwit doctor can kill you just as quickly as having no doctor. In my case, my mom diagnosed my problem. My doctor is fired.

[TBF]

91. Which is no argument against single payer. But good try. nt

[SharonAnn]

94. My husband's doctor killed him by not doing a colonoscopy on him.

A white male, in his early 70's, with a history of polyps, presents with bowel problems. The doctor does a sigmoidoscopy (in his office so he can get the $$), doesn't find anything, and prescribes Lexapro.

Months later, bowel problems continuing, I insist on going with him to the doctor and tell him I want a referral for a colonoscopy.

The colonoscopy showed an almost completely blocked colon with a very aggressive cancer, Stage III +.

Various bouts of chemotherapy, drug trials, etc. and he died 18 months after the colonoscopy.

If the doctor had referred him for a colonoscopy when he initially presented, my husband would probably be alive today.

And now I find out that this doctor has lots of "problems", no longer has admitting privileges, and that several other patients in the area have died after being not appropriately treated by the doctor.

But we have medical tort reform here, so he'll probably kill more people before he quits.

[slackmaster]

96. Ugh. That one runs in my family.

I'm 53 and have had three colonoscopies. My grandfather died of colon cancer back in the 1970s when the most thorough test anyone ever got was a sigmoidoscopy. A colonoscopy could have saved him, but they just weren't done.

Some doctors just plain need to be fired. When I formally terminate my relationship with my current GP, I'm going to write a scathing review on Yelp. After I cool off.

[OnyxCollie]

99. My mom was diagnosed with colon cancer two years ago.

I'd like to get screened, but I can't afford it.

I have insurance and can't use it.

Some health care "reform."

WINNING!

[slackmaster]

115. Can you afford NOT to get screened? Family history is a strong justification for early screening.

I had my first colonoscopy at age 42. My insurance covers most of it.

I have insurance and can't use it.

Sometimes you have to fight insurance companies. Your life may be on the line.

[OnyxCollie]

124. What's to fight?

I have a high deductible so I can afford the premiums.

If I get hit by a bus I have coverage.

Preventative screenings that I have to pay for fall behind rent, food, utilities, gas, car repairs, etc.

This country's fucked.

[Mimosa]

106. That's malpractice.

I'm curious why your husband never asked for a colonoscopy at an earlier age when polyps could be removed before they turned cancerous. I've never heard of a doctor who wouldn't push patients to get preventative colonoscopies.

[slackmaster]

116. I concur. Sounds like a potential major lawsuit, and that doctor should be de-licensed.

[mdmc]

80. we need single payer

[freshwest]

82. Thanks for putting this here. So many familiies devastated for nothing.

[SourFlower]

83. I just lost my mom, puebloknot, the same way.

If she had gotten tests early on, we may have had more time together. This poor family is about to go through probably the most painful thing you can watch a loved one go through. My heart just hurts for them.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

85. this is just too heartbreaking....I hope at least she can be spared as much pain as possible

Bless you, MA for helping her.

[Chorophyll]

86. K&R is all I got.

[w8liftinglady]

87. I shed a tear- you described the majority of my patients,as well.

texas leads the nation in uninsured. They all feel it's their imposition on the system.
it is inhumane,immoral and how we as a nation can allow our fellow man to suffer when we have the resources to save is beyond me.

[Kurovski]

88. K&R (nt)

[Thumper79]

92. This is just so sad.

I don't believe I could do your job. It must make you not only sad, but angry with those who are willing to allow Americans die, regardless of age.

[MrMickeysMom]

93. Recommended...

Even it it IS too late.

Say it with me... Sign the bill for single payer, Governor (VT leading the way)

Then, the next state...... and the next state........ we MUST pass single payer!

[Name removed]

95. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

98. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jbeing]

97. EVERYBODY SEND AN EMAIL

to your government officials, the White House, corporations, heathcare companies. THE PRESS.

Let's hammer them with emails. I'm tired of hearing these stories and feeling like nothing gets done.

I just sent a bunch of links to this page, donation info: Here it is. Just cut and paste. We can't let the RWers take away our caring for each other.

DO SOMETHING. A MOTHER,WIFE AND DAUGHTER IS DYING BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T AFFORD TESTS TO PREVENT HER DISEASE.

Donations can be made at the local bank.
Here's the info.

Melissa Gahler Benefit c/o

Farmers & Merchants State Bank - Main Office
80 Main Street
P. O. Box 308
Pierz, Minnesota 56364
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.fmpierz.com

No online payments, but they take checks or take payments over the phone. The teller to talk to is Jenny Nieken who is running the benefit.

Any help anyone can give is greatly appreciated.

DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE - FOR A CHANGE - EARN YOUR RIGHT TO BE CALLED A HUMAN.

[HolyCity2012]

109. end-of-life counseling

end-of-life counseling aka 'death panels'

NEED TO KNOW | Atul Gawande on end-of-life counseling | PBS

As the Health Care Reform Act is attacked in courts and Congress, Need to Know discusses the quiet removal of one controversial provision, funding for end-of-life counseling (so-called "Death Panels") with Dr. Atul Gawande, author and medical writer for The New Yorker.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[JNelson6563]

112. It can be hard to be a caring human.

Make no mistake, my heart breaks for this lady and her family. If I contemplated for longer than a few seconds I would no doubt weep for them.

Additionally, my heart breaks for you! You are obviously very compassionate and I have no doubt that situations like this leave a painful scar. I could not do what you do, I would snap.

Julie--who would experience the same fate if cancer made an appearance

[trotsky]

113. Terrible story and I feel so sorry for her family.

But you said: "They go to church."

I have to ask, so what? If they didn't go to church, would that make them less worthy? Less deserving of medical care or assistance or sympathy?

[MedicalAdmin]

120. Not at all. It was a statement, not a judgement.

Perhaps I should have explained more. Where she lives, in a small prairie town, churches are often the social hubs of the area. And she is religious. I made no comment on the relative value of anyone who attend or doesn't attend church. I wrote a post about an injustice. Please don't read more into it.

In fact, for those of your of religious or spiritual orientation, I know that she would welcome your prayers or thoughts. While reliegion is not my orientation, I still honor her needs at this time.

[TheManInTheMac]

114. Stage 4 cancer

puts her on the fast track to receive SSD and Medicare.

[MedicalAdmin]

121. Yes, it does.

And by the time she is approved, she may be dead. The time for that type of assistance was 2 years ago in terms of single payer or universal coverage. And while SSD and medicare may help keep her family from having to sell their home, it may be too little, too late.

Don't get me wrong, we are helping them apply for everything, but the reality is that for want of less than $1000 in testing over a 2 or 3 year period, the public system will be spending lots of cash with a doubtful outcome. That is insanity from an ethical and financial point of view.

[TheManInTheMac]

126. It is a shame

that cancer screenings aren't done at a younger age. This poor woman is only 30, and cancers at that age are often agressive, as this one is. I hope the young woman does not give up hope. This type of story just breaks my heart.

[louslobbs]

128. It really is insanity, $1000 in tests approx 2-3 yrs ago, could have stopped this whole painful

situation from ever having occurred. I don't know how insurance company execs sleep at night. This was on my mind all day yesterday and into today, because it brought back memories of my mom. She should have been here with me today, and she's not and I find, I'm still sick over it. My heart has always ached for the loss, but the last few days, it's like I was back in time and I've been feeling all of the pain again. Pain that had subsided long ago. It will pass, but it is real, and every time I think of this 30yr old mom and her family, I get those chills and the tears just drop from my eyes. When will this madness end? Will we ever be able to force "our" government to do the humane thing? Why is this still happening to people all over our country. We need single payer for everyone and we needed it 30yrs ago. Those in power don't' care they've got "theirs", and the millionaires and billionaires don't give a shit, they've got theirs, when does everyone else, get theirs?
Lou

[area51]

125. The U.S. system

Each day, 273 people die due to lack of health care in the U.S.; that's 100,000 preventable deaths per year.

We need single-payer health care, not a welfare bailout for the serial-killer insurance agencies.

We don't need the GingrichCare of mandated, unregulated, for-profit insurance that is still too expensive, only pays parts of medical bills, denies claims, bankrupts and kills people.

Republinazi '93 plan:

"Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005."

"We will never have real reform until people's health stops being treated as a financial opportunity for corporations."

"Employer-based health insurance has always been a bad idea. Your life should not depend on who you work for."
-- T. McKeon

"Any proposal that sticks with our current dependence on for-profit private insurers ... will not be sustainable. And the new law will not get us to universal coverage ...." -- T.R. Reid, The Healing of America

[Stinky The Clown]

130. Our president never even considered single payer.

I shall never forgive him for that.

[keopeli]

131. I don't know where you are located, but if you're in the Seattle area...

let me know. I know a great grief counseling service available for the family.

Peace to you

Keo