Speaking of no insurance!!!

[Leanna]

Hi,

In my home town a 34 yr old with a 3 month old baby was just dx with Stage 3 breast cancer. No insurance!!!! I have been on the internet all day trying to find her help. WHAT HELP!!!! She applied for Missouri Medicaid and was turned down I guess because husband has his own business. Nothing great, just a business that barely pays the bills. Sure as HE** not enough to pay for family insurance! She is absolutely scared to death she won't get treatment because she doesn't have any money!!

Her sister-in-laws hosted a supper last night to raise money. I was proud of our towns turnout! I gave money my husband and I were going to use to go out to eat (which is a rare occasion for us because we can't afford it very offen). But I know they didn't raise anywhere near what she needs for surgery and treatments!!!

Any suggestions???? It really makes me angry that in a country like ours you have to worry about whether you will get the medical help you need! U.S. is great about helping everyone else, how about our own???

Leanna

[jean214]

Dear Leanna,
I have no suggestions, only despair. In the US, the death rate due to breast cancer is higher for women who do not have insurance than for women who do have it. If that's not a commentary on our screwed-up medical care delivery system, I don't know what is.
It is kind of you to try to help her.
jean214

[Paula(Ire)]

Dear Leanna,

This makes me so mad. The only suggestion I have is to contact the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC). They're based in Washington D.C. and specialise in Advocacy, but I went to a talk given by a woman who works with them, and I remember her saying they can sometimes help people in your friend's position. The talk was in Ireland.

Their web site is:
www.natbcc.org/

National Breast Cancer Coalition
1101 17th Street, NN, Suite 1300, Washington D.C. 20036.
Tel: (202)296-7477

No harm in talking to them. They have a state-wide network.

Otherwise, keep up the fundraising. Isn't it true that she'll get treatment alright, but end up paying for it for the rest of her life? So all fundraising would be helpful. It really does make me so mad that people aren't treated equally when it comes to health. It is deeply wrong.

You did a lovely thing forfieting your night out. Good for you.

Love to you,
Paula (Ire)

[Jane in MN]

Get on the internet, right now, to your legislators. Tell them about this horrible situation, and mention how it wouldn't have to happen if they would stop picking their noses over same-sex marriage or state quarter designs and get on to the tough issues, like universal health care, that matter to the average person on the street. The only thing that seems to matter in Washington (or in your statehouse) is how to get a vote, so politely suggest that you will use your precious vote to fire every jackass who stands in the way of a nationwide health insurance plan. Then do it.

xoxox Jane

[Kathie in Chicago]

I'm not sure, but could she call or visit a hospital and ask to talk to someone in their social services, or admitting dept, and ask if they have any policy for discounting their fees for someone with no insurance or money? I was in the same position in 2000 and I finally found out my teaching hospital had a clinic where the residents trained. It was thru that round-about way that I got heavily discounted fees. I still went broke, but I finally was able to get treatment that way. It's a terrible situation. Once you're flat broke then you're eligible for some medicaid or at least food stamps.

Now I'm 65 and on Medicare with a supplement ins. and that's made things much better for me. But I used up all my savings before that happened.

Kathie

Kathie

[Moxie]

The state of Wisconsin has a high-risk insurance plan for those that don't qualify for Medicade. (HIRSP) It's pricey (I pay $1600 a quarter at the age of 53, it's less for younger folks, more for older) and there's a six month hold for any treatments for pre-existing conditions.

In other words, it sucks, but it's better than nuttin'.

Perhaps her state has something similar?

Blue Skies
Moxie

[Moxie]