Insurance company deny treatment to 5 year old with Cancer

[geauxtohell]

Gotcha. I spent some time (not a ton of time, but some) volunteering in a hospice, so I am a little overly passionate about what they do.

Good for you and I understand why. When I first read this article, I'll admit I was outraged and that reflected upon the title. Which is why I'm going to have it changed sometime soon.

But, I'd rather be a person who can get outraged rather than a person who has more apathy in them than anything.

"I'd rather feel bad than feel nothing at all."

- Warren Zevon

 

[geauxtohell]

Set me in a chair on Bourbon Street and stick a drink in my hand.

And Super Bowl XLIV on continuous loop.

Damn skippy.

And a continuous rotation of "Temptations" girls on my lap.

Come to think of it, this therapy might get expensive too.

 

[xotoxi]

I know what they are. I was confused by what Xo said for a moment. I thought he said they keep people alive and are worthless. But then I reread it and realized what he was saying.

I may have mispoken or you may have misread it.

I think hospice is the most wonderful facet of out medical field. I have never heard of anyone who has had a negative experience in hospice.

Though this is not quantifiable (sorry to sound like a dork), I think their main utility is helping patients and families bypass the "denial" (or get over it much more quickly) stage of grief.

The patients I dealt with at the hospice house were at peace with their situation in life and they weren't afraid.

Contrast that with being on the wards and watching while a patient goes in and out of AFIB and is scared to death or a patient who was just told he had their heart was failing who now can't sleep at night.

I guess the difference is knowing that, no matter what, your time is coming soon.

Exactly!

And hospice nurses help the family during the dying process so that they understand what will happen and what is happening to their loved one.

With meds to make them comfortable, the dying process for the patient is relatively easy. However, it is difficult for the family to watch this if they aren't helped along the way.

Most doctors and non-hospice nurses usually are not that great at helping non-hospice patients and families who are dying in the hospital. I guess it is something that comes with training, as well as an inherent skill.

 

[geauxtohell]

I may have mispoken or you may have misread it.

I think hospice is the most wonderful facet of out medical field. I have never heard of anyone who has had a negative experience in hospice.

Though this is not quantifiable (sorry to sound like a dork), I think their main utility is helping patients and families bypass the "denial" (or get over it much more quickly) stage of grief.

The patients I dealt with at the hospice house were at peace with their situation in life and they weren't afraid.

Contrast that with being on the wards and watching while a patient goes in and out of AFIB and is scared to death or a patient who was just told he had their heart was failing who now can't sleep at night.

I guess the difference is knowing that, no matter what, your time is coming soon.

Exactly!

And hospice nurses help the family during the dying process so that they understand what will happen and what is happening to their loved one.

With meds to make them comfortable, the dying process for the patient is relatively easy. However, it is difficult for the family to watch this if they aren't helped along the way.

Most doctors and non-hospice nurses usually are not that great at helping non-hospice patients and families who are dying in the hospital. I guess it is something that comes with training, as well as an inherent skill.

I think the general withholding of information is what drives patient's crazy. It's not intentional (IMO) it's just that there is so much staff in and out of the room with different tasks that it becomes confusing to the patient. One white coat looks like another, though you and I know that is not true.

 

[Avatar4321]

Gotcha. I spent some time (not a ton of time, but some) volunteering in a hospice, so I am a little overly passionate about what they do.

Good for you and I understand why. When I first read this article, I'll admit I was outraged and that reflected upon the title. Which is why I'm going to have it changed sometime soon.

But, I'd rather be a person who can get outraged rather than a person who has more apathy in them than anything.

"I'd rather feel bad than feel nothing at all."

- Warren Zevon

I came to a similiar conclusion when I was younger.

Id rather feel bad with the truth, than be happy with a lie.

Facing death can be a difficult truth. But sometimes it's reality and denying it and pretending its not there doesnt make things better. it just prevents you from doing what you can with the time left.

 

[xotoxi]

I think the general withholding of information is what drives patient's crazy. It's not intentional (IMO) it's just that there is so much staff in and out of the room with different tasks that it becomes confusing to the patient. One white coat looks like another, though you and I know that is not true.

Yep. And that's why hospice in the home is nice...because it is one to one interaction. All of the focus is on the patient and family, rather than spread throughout the entire medical unit in the hospital.

 

[Modbert]

Yep. And that's why hospice in the home is nice...because it is one to one interaction. All of the focus is on the patient and family, rather than spread throughout the entire medical unit in the hospital.

It definitely gives back a whole humanity portion to the process if you understand what I'm saying.

 

[xotoxi]

Yep. And that's why hospice in the home is nice...because it is one to one interaction. All of the focus is on the patient and family, rather than spread throughout the entire medical unit in the hospital.

It definitely gives back a whole humanity portion to the process if you understand what I'm saying.

Yep. And would you rather have your loved one die in their own home with all of the family there...or die in a cramped hospital room, with a demented roommate who shits the bed, and beeping contraptions out in the hall.

The former for me.

 

[Modbert]

Yep. And would you rather have your loved one die in their own home with all of the family there...or die in a cramped hospital room, with a demented roommate who shits the bed, and beeping contraptions out in the hall.

The former for me.

And there's always the situation where there are people who are dying of something that cannot be cured. And rather than continuing to just suffer painfully or go that route, they go out the way they want with dignity. Which I think is a great option to have.

 

[Si modo]

Good for you and I understand why. When I first read this article, I'll admit I was outraged and that reflected upon the title. Which is why I'm going to have it changed sometime soon.

But, I'd rather be a person who can get outraged rather than a person who has more apathy in them than anything.

"I'd rather feel bad than feel nothing at all."

- Warren Zevon

I came to a similiar conclusion when I was younger.

Id rather feel bad with the truth, than be happy with a lie. ....

Absolutely.

And, as a corollary: If I feel bad about the truth, I can't kneejerk react and try to shit on those who are not responsible for that unfortunate truth.

Like running a blender without a lid - shit gets on those who don't deserve it.

 

[eagleseven]

I see now that you see that it does work and is recommended, you've moved off that argument and gone on to the $$$ issue.

Indeed.

If you want to draw a line, then admit there is Health Care Rationing, simple as that. You seem to miss the fact that this is not some regular sort of cancer as well.

Every resource is rationed, but it is a matter by whom.

Healthcare, much like food and water, is currently rationed by the price system. You get the food, water, and healthcare you pay for. If you use an insurance intermediary, that is your choice, but you still get the policy you pay for. The policy this family purchased does not cover $55,000 cancer treatments...tough shit.

In a Nationalized System, a panel of bureaucrats (the death panel) rations care, not your wallet. No matter how much money you are willing to pay, you only get what Washington deems you worthy of receiving.

That is assuming, of course, that Washington politicians are incorruptible.

 

[RodISHI]

Dogbert why don't you become so inflamed about the causes of these diseases in children for others will not have to face this same fate? If you care this much put it back on the backs of those who create these toxins that affect everyone and everyone's children.

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Common pesticides used in homes and lawns are now being shown in medical research to accelerate aging of the immune and nervous system resulting in serious health problems years after exposure. Companies which use these chemicals include TruGreen - ChemLawn - Orkin and others. The majority of the public still believes these chemicals are completely tested by the government. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Chemical companies do their own testing and submit the results to the EPA for review - setting up the potential for "selective" reporting. Of significant concern, agriculture and consumer use pesticides are not currently required to be tested for subtle neurological effects (i.e. memory, depression, behavior) - child learning disorders - pregnancy developmental studies and immune system effects (i.e. lower white blood counts - increased infection rates and autoimmunity).
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Evidence demonstrating how chemical exposures occurring in and around the home can greatly increase the risk of brain cancer, neuroblastoma & leukemia. Also "NEW" research on immune system defects found in cancer children which can determine if "remission" is likely to occur.

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Case histories - pesticides and immune system damage.
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Chemical Illness Report Page
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[geauxtohell]

Yep. And that's why hospice in the home is nice...because it is one to one interaction. All of the focus is on the patient and family, rather than spread throughout the entire medical unit in the hospital.

It definitely gives back a whole humanity portion to the process if you understand what I'm saying.

Yep. And would you rather have your loved one die in their own home with all of the family there...or die in a cramped hospital room, with a demented roommate who shits the bed, and beeping contraptions out in the hall.

The former for me.

I guess not so ironically, I admitted a patient today who has decided that they are done with dialysis. They have been off dialysis for a couple of weeks and their time is short.

I am hoping we can get them hooked into hospice and out of the hospital tomorrow.

 

[Harry Dresden]

Yessiree.... We must protect the salaries of the underpaid, overworked CEOs of the Health Care Companies against these five year old fraudsters.

so Rocks do you think govt health care would cover this kid?....

 

[Harry Dresden]

If you want to draw a line, then admit there is Health Care Rationing, simple as that. You seem to miss the fact that this is not some regular sort of cancer as well.

you dont think a govt plan would ration health care?....

 

[Harry Dresden]

If anyone thinks their insurance company is going to foot every single bill for every conceivable treatment known to man, they are in for a shock.

and it will be no different with a govt plan....

 

[Zander]

Why should anyone be forced to die, ever? Regardless of cost, we need to freeze the dying, then bring them back later when we can cure them. Of course this should be paid for by the evil insurance companies or "the rich".

 

[Harry Dresden]

An insurance company doesn't cover a treatment that the federal government has deemed is experimental, and a treatment that is more than 50 times more expensive than a typical non-experimental treatment?

What is the gripe again?

Here's my question, Modo. If we had the public option, would the GOVERNMENT cove such an experimental treatment?

no....

 

[Vega]

Anytime when people are dealing with life or death, the debates are going to get heated. It would be great if insurance companies would pay for every treatment, whether experimental or approved, but it would ultimately lead to insurance companies going broke or more and more people who won't be able to afford the cost of insurance.

 

[strollingbones]

fuck this one sad story ...cancer patients in reality end up paying about 40% of their medical costs due to the refusal of insurance companies to pay....

More Cancer Patients Can't Afford Care - CBS Evening News - CBS News

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1883161,00.html\\

yall are fools to think anyone gives a flying fuck about the "common man" neither party will foregone the insurance lobbists monies to protect the average man....