Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

Showing Original Post only (View all)

ProSense

(116,464 posts)
Sun Apr 1, 2012, 09:05 AM Apr 2012

My friend Wendy is DEAD: she couldn't buy broccoli [View all]

My friend Wendy is DEAD: she couldn't buy broccoli

by freelancewoman

My friend Wendy ran through what her insurance company would pay for chemo, then ran through her own life savings, and another $10,000 from her mother.

However, it was ovarian cancer, which returns usually within three years -- Wendy got 5 years, but was considered uninsurable because of that "pre-existing condition."

After 15 years with the same firm, it folded, and the only work Wendy could get didn't offer group health insurance.

Because of circumstances too long to go through here, Wendy fell between the cracks: couldn't get chemo through an insurance company, wasn't poverty-stricken enough for government care.

But the doctors agreed: If she'd gotten the chemo in time, Wendy probably would have lived.

<...>

Here's yet another irony: Wendy had been a vegetarian since she was 16 -- she could, and did, buy broccoli by the truckload.

No matter a Supreme Court Judge's specious argument: what Wendy couldn't buy was healthcare in this country.

Fuck you, Scalia. Big time.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/31/1079555/--My-friend-Wendy-is-DEAD-she-couldn-t-buy-broccoli-


73 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Our system of healthcare is deadly. nt Ilsa Apr 2012 #1
Fat Tony and his crew Hawkowl Apr 2012 #2
+1 CrispyQ Apr 2012 #3
Mine used to rhyme, through the whole Bush admin - impeach, prosecute, convict, execute. saras Apr 2012 #7
Here's a link to contact the Supremes. xtraxritical Apr 2012 #24
I know someone whose cancer medication costs thousands of JDPriestly Apr 2012 #38
It's the same for many who have autoimmune disorders also. unapatriciated Apr 2012 #66
Thanks. I have been criticized greatly for mentioning the Edwards JDPriestly Apr 2012 #71
Shouldn't the question be why you need insurance to get chemo? dkf Apr 2012 #4
+1 nt freedom fighter jh Apr 2012 #10
Should life be weighed blindly on the same scales as commerce? freshwest Apr 2012 #5
I bet that she heard "I'll pray for you" dotymed Apr 2012 #6
yup. Shadowflash Apr 2012 #20
Oh, yes, the prayer dismissal, meaning not my problem. It's also used as a curse. freshwest Apr 2012 #22
I think you wast too many words denigrating some ladies with good hearts and xtraxritical Apr 2012 #25
Thank you. But I'm not denigrating little ladies who get angry at the poor. freshwest Apr 2012 #34
Your first post AuntEileen Apr 2012 #51
Thanks. Things kinda disintegrated from there. We need to focus on the big picture. freshwest Apr 2012 #55
Not denigrating? xtraxritical Apr 2012 #64
You are well named. You cherry pick my post to find fault and lash out. No go. freshwest Apr 2012 #65
Brilliant post davidthegnome Apr 2012 #67
The free market will solve everything. SpartanDem Apr 2012 #8
Yes, yes, it will HeiressofBickworth Apr 2012 #44
????? holy april fool Apr 2012 #9
Read the article. drm604 Apr 2012 #13
Don't waste your energy--that ass got his pizza after four scant posts. nt MADem Apr 2012 #15
Du needs more chlorophyll Morning Dew Apr 2012 #17
GOP: "If someone else pays for it, it is not a right". Jamaal510 Apr 2012 #11
So if ACA is struck down as unconstitutional, do MannyGoldstein Apr 2012 #12
I wish I could believe that they would. drm604 Apr 2012 #14
What harm would it be to... try? MannyGoldstein Apr 2012 #19
yup. Shadowflash Apr 2012 #21
No harm at all. drm604 Apr 2012 #35
Just like they did last time? quakerboy Apr 2012 #49
Yep, that's the only solution. Easier to rag on the minority there, though... freshwest Apr 2012 #23
VOTE A STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC BALLOT be happy and sane again! xtraxritical Apr 2012 #28
Yes. JDPriestly Apr 2012 #39
"Fuck you, Scalia," is too polite. MsPithy Apr 2012 #16
Here's a link to contact the Supreme Court so you can tell them directly. xtraxritical Apr 2012 #29
Scalia would probably respond by saying "quack, quack" again aint_no_life_nowhere Apr 2012 #41
When I think about this it makes me so mad ... jimlup Apr 2012 #18
I'm in the same situation as Wendy was. xtraxritical Apr 2012 #32
If you are truly in Wendy's situation - Ms. Toad Apr 2012 #48
I cannot afford it. I'm over 55 in Texas. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2012 #62
Call the hospital and ask to speak with their financial counselor Ms. Toad Apr 2012 #63
When he goes before his judge, in a court much superior to his, he will have much to answer for. libinnyandia Apr 2012 #26
Quick trip to Canada cyglet Apr 2012 #27
Or Mexico, or India, or Thailand. girl gone mad Apr 2012 #57
Scalia has all the empathy of his buddy Dick Cheney Faygo Kid Apr 2012 #30
What gets me the most about all this is that we - the taxpayers - pay for the SCOTUS healthcare. jillan Apr 2012 #31
The supreme court is mandating us with insurance to pay for health care for those who don't have ins julian09 Apr 2012 #40
Fuck everyone having the mentality that GE should pay little/no Federal income taxes and the Mittens indepat Apr 2012 #33
+1 freshwest Apr 2012 #68
We are far down the rabbithole that even the most emotional advocate TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #36
Well said.. Fumesucker Apr 2012 #37
I agree should be a right julian09 Apr 2012 #42
very well said Locrian Apr 2012 #43
Barbaric. Goddammit. nt Chorophyll Apr 2012 #45
Making health care a for profit industry was the biggest mistake we've ever made. Initech Apr 2012 #46
K&R SunSeeker Apr 2012 #47
Scalia is a piece of shit. nt Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #50
I'm pretty sure JEB Apr 2012 #52
I would find it VERY difficult to call him Justice. I'd probably address him as "YOU" nt Sarah Ibarruri Apr 2012 #54
NOBODY can buy time baseballguy2001 Apr 2012 #53
But Steve Jobs was able to purchase additional time and quality of life - the OP's friend wasn't. haele Apr 2012 #56
+1 freshwest Apr 2012 #69
It's over baseballguy2001 Apr 2012 #58
You seem ProSense Apr 2012 #59
I'll try to be a bit more kind but the wording of your post did not come out well. haele Apr 2012 #60
Excellent post. Thanks. freshwest Apr 2012 #70
Your friend was the sort of person the 1% wants left to die Ken Burch Apr 2012 #61
What percentage of Wendy's meager healthcare dollars does the insurance industry "Deserve"? Romulox Apr 2012 #72
We need to lose the conditioning which says that in order to enjoy perfect health do the hustle Apr 2012 #73
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»My friend Wendy is DEAD: ...