Stage-Three-Cancer Arkansan Hasn’t Seen Doctor in 7 Years

[t0dd]

Run time: 02:19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4nIlUnq7sg   Posted on YouTube: November 21, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 21, 2009 By DU Member: t0dd Views on DU: 1370

 
Here you can see the horrible choices facing someone who came for the Little Rock health fair: do I see a doctor about the Stage-Three cancer diagnosis I got seven years ago that bankrupted me, or do I try to see a dentist about the immediate and agonizing pain from this abscessed tooth?

Vicki Hansen’s real worry seems to be: “Will I be able to see a cancer doctor AND a dentist today, at this appointment I’ve been waiting days for?” Should an Arkansan with a Stage-Three Cancer diagnosis that bankrupted her have to wait seven years for a free health fair to arrive in her city in order to get followup care?

And when the health care arrives, should she really have to worry whether she can see a cancer screening doctor for the first time in seven years, or the dentist about her terrible tooth pain?

Should any American really be subjected to this kind of treatment?

Blanche Lincoln, are you listening? Your constituent Vicky Hansen has this to say to you about health care reform: “I think they should help us… they don’t know what it’s like! Wait until someone tells them they have been denied. Wait until they deny you, tell you that you can’t have health insurance, that you are not worthy.”

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/15738

[Uncle Joe]

1. Of course the best solution is Medicare for everyone.

Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, tOdd.

[dotymed]

6. Yes Medicare for all...HR676

This is the "land of opportunity?" Only for the
wealthy. Throw off your shackles, fight, just like ML KING
showed us. Together we can change this gulag.

[ooglymoogly]

2. Kr. nt

[chill_wind]

3. K & R. FDL is doing a good job with this today. Several

other stories and video links from them in a last push for a public option these final hours..

"Uninsured Little Rock Amputee Can’t Get Prosthesis
By: Teddy Partridge Saturday November 21, 2009 11:52 am


Really, it doesn’t get much worse than this: a man injured on the job whose injury resulted in his leg being amputated below the knee. He can’t get a prosthetic leg from the manufacturer because he has no health insurance. And since he can’t work without a leg, he can’t get a job that might offer health insurance."

and more:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7062197

Thanks for posting this.

[whathehell]

4. This really tells it like it is...My God, this situation should NOT

be playing out in the richest country in the world...Outrageous.

[FarLeftFist]

5. Godspeed Vicky Hansen. Have a safe journey.

[3waygeek]

7. KO reported a similar situation at the last

health fair in New Orleans. A woman showed up and was found to have stage 4 breast cancer; she, too, hadn't seen a doctor in many years. The woman ended up declining treatment -- the doctors reluctantly agreed. The impression I got was that the cancer was to the point where treatment would just prolong her suffering with little realistic hope of remission.

[reggie the dog]

8. I live in a country where everyone can go tot he doctor when they

are sick. the wealthier pay up to 6 euros of the visit, the poorer 1 euro......

[newmac]

9. Llamar Alexander and Orin Hatch would tell her to go to hell.

These rethuglican freaks should know what its like to walk around with an abscessed tooth for a year, let alone cancer... Any society that allows this is a failed society, and a very sick nation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDp38JaHpmo

[reggie the dog]

10. I have been sick for 2 weeks

It started with the H1N1 flu and broncitias. Now they suspect pnumenia. I have gone in for 3 xrays, blood tests, seen the doctor 3 times and am going a 4th time wedensday. Counting medications I have paid 3 euros 26 cents for all of this. I am american but my wife is French. How could I ever ask my wife to move our family, with my daughter who is sick today too and who we had to pay 1 euro for her to see the doctor, back to the USA. Did I mention that I get paid for my work at 100% too? My boss called me, told me not to come in until I am well. Wished me well and insisted saying do not come in until you are well, we do not need you getting ill again and we do not need you contaminating the others. Don't worry about your students, they will be there when you get back........