Is it fair for Medicare and the VA to refuse to pay for CANCER TREATMENT?
My sister has been through chemotherapy for breast cancer and after the VA refused to continue to pay for her cancer treatment, it was weeks before Medicare began to treat my sister. By then, the cancer had spread to my sister's colon, lungs, liver, and brain. And now, after my sister has taken all of the last resort chemo therapy, her doctors are telling her that they can do nothing more for her-- other than experimental procedures that Medicare and the VA will not cover.. Is this health care in the USA as the Republicans would have it? Or is this another reason why health care reforms are needed in the USA?
Cancer - 6 Answers
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1 :
Actually, programs such as VA and Medicare are programs created by the left (i.e. Liberals, Democrats, Socialist, etc.). If it was up to the Republicans, your sister would need to pay for her own insurance and pay for anything else that the insurance didn't pay for.
2 :
This is Health Care in the USA. Is it fair? No, it is not but insurance companies are in business to make money. I understand your frustration because I too have had some trouble getting the treatment that I have needed from insurance companies. This is certainly one of a few very important reasons that health care reform is needed. However, it still doesn't mean that any and all treatments will be approved. There are no insurance companies, that I know of that will pay for experimental procedures. I was in 2 FDA drug studies and the entire thing was covered by the companies that were trying to get the medications approved. I am sorry to hear of your sisters illness and only wish her the best.
3 :
I'm sorry, but I think the VA sucks. My daughter was in the National Guard and she loved it. She went to Bosnia on peace keeping mission, Cuba and other places. She's the type that always wanted to do for her country. Then it came time she needed help from the VA. She was rushed to the hospital and had a emergency appendectomy. Because it was done in the local hospital and not the VA, they wouldn't pay for it. She has no insurance either. She's still fighting this. Isn't it enough that our young men and women, older ones too, go and fight for this country, put their lives on the line every single day. Should they come back and have to fight a loosing battle over something like this? It's not fair. Now she is having problems with others things that may lead to ovarian cancer. The Dr.s at the VA are not doing anything for her. The doctors outside the Va want to do a whole lot of test but the VA won't pay for it because it's not their hospital. Again, not fair. I am so sorry for your sister. It's rotten and I wish someone would do something about it. She deserves to have that treatment. She was good enough to serve her country when they needed her and it's time this country gave back to our veterens. Bitter??? You bet I am. Hearing about your sister, and hearing my daughter crying all the time in pain and I just don't know how to change this. I don't know if the new health care reform will help when it comes to the VA, but perhaps our children will be able to go to doctors in other hospitals and have it paid for. I know your pain. I'm scared for my daughter as you are for sister. Again, I am so sorry for your sister. She is in my prayers. God bless you. and GOD BLESS AMERICA! TREAT OUR VETERANS WITH THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE..
4 :
No it isn't fair. It's all about the bottom line with them. You can appeal their decision. You should also contact everyone (that is currently in office) . Make copies of all her papers and send them to those people this includes the President(doesn't matter if you voted for him or not). He promised us changed. What Medicare is doing is called business a usual. You can also call the White House between 8am and 4pm M-F for help. They will have someone contact you. At least that was the case when I called for my brother a few years ago. The White House and the Presidency are owned by the American people the entire Government system is owned by us. It is our votes that put them in office. Most of them only remember this at election time. I keep track of them throughout their entire terms in office . This helps me decide if I want to vote them back in or try the new kid on the block. you can establish residency in Canada and they will care for her free of charge. I'm not certain how long you need to be a resident or if that is still a requirement. Many Americans go to Canada for their health care. You might want to look into that too.
5 :
If she can find a doctor willing to do it, they can petition medicare to pay for experimental procedures. When I was going through leukemia, my bone marrow transplant was a part of a clinical trial experimenting with using cord blood in adults rather than adult bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells. I was on medicaid and medicare, and both of them refused to pay for the treatment at first. But after my doctors wrote some letters and filled out some forms, they covered it. And I do agree with another poster... the typical republican opinion is that if you cant afford to pay for insurance or pay out of pocket for the treatment, then you shouldnt be able to get the treatment at all. That is part of the reason why they are fighting the reform. The reform is going to mean that more people will be covered by public forms of insurance.
6 :
Is this health care in the USA as the Republicans would have it? What are you talking about? These are both socialized plans, this is what we are in for with Obama-Pelosi-Reid care.
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Title : Is it fair for Medicare and the VA to refuse to pay for CANCER TREATMENT
Description : Is it fair for Medicare and the VA to refuse to pay for CANCER TREATMENT? My sister has been through chemotherapy for breast cancer and a...