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Toddlers: 12 - 24 Months
Local Story-Baby denied by Medicaid
This story was on my local Channel 5 news. The family is from my neighboring state of Indiana. Such a sad story. You can donate if you would like to help Seth since Medicaid in Indiana will not cover the transplant.
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Re: Local Story-Baby denied by Medicaid
TTC#2=July 2011: Surprise BFP: Chemical Pregnancy
I'm going to donate too when DH gets paid on Friday. I really hope they'll be able to raise enough to save his life.
I hope so too.
Insurance companies disgust me. Is there an address where you can mail in a check or money order?
That really breaks my heart. Getting life saving healthcare should absolutely be a right, not a privilage for those who can afford it.
I'm donating now. I'm praying that they get the money that they need in time.
Thanks for spreading the word.
what's crazy is that according to this 2007 publication, 75% of children who received the transplant were still alive after 1 year, with the first patient alive for 13 years following the transplant.
what is the value of a human life?
very sad. I hope enough money is raised.
IUI- BFN IVF #1 -BFP! Allie is our 2nd IVF baby. Born at 36 1/2 weeks after pre-e again
Interesting. I have worked with Dr. Markert and have taken care of many of the DiGeorge kiddos whom she's transplanted. It's amazing to see how she can basically cure their immune deficiency (though only that - the transplant doesn't fix the many other things that can go wrong with DiGeorge like heart defects, mental retardation, kidney problems, etc). We had one kiddo who flew from New Zealand for the transplant (followed by camera crews, etc).
While I think that this procedure will likely prolong his life, I think that many people do not understand everything involved. The $300-500K likely covers the transplant and immediate hospital stay only. It won't cover the cost of the parents living in NC for several months or any subsequent care. So his care in undeniably expensive. OK, if that is acceptable to you, great. We should cover his care fully. And his siblings' care. And his parents' care. Or should we put a full stop on insurance once someone turns 18 (even if their disease continues)?
How does Medicaid pay for care? Through our taxes. But Medicaid reimburses hospitals LESS than the actual cost. And Medicaid is going broke (several states may stop all Medicaid reimbursement "temporarily" as they don't have the money - https://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JD9QHG0.htm). Hospitals make up the difference by charging private insurance and cash paying patients MORE. Otherwise they go broke (and quite a few have). And this isn't a case of paying for rich doctors. Trust me, I drive a cheap Japanese sedan and it's NOT Lexus...
Since I've turned this into a healthcare debate... Ask yourself: if I think Seth should have this therapy, am I willing to have EVERY child in his position have this therapy? Will that care continue after he turns 18? Every adult? If you believe that YOU deserve top of the line medical care, do you believe that every US citizen should receive it (regardless of their ability to pay)? Every resident (regardless of citizenship)? If you don't, why should YOU get care and the other person shouldn't? And if you believe that healthcare is a RIGHT, is that basic health care or EVERYTHING? For those who believe healthcare is a right of every person (citizen, not citizen, poor, rich), great. Now are YOU willing to pay for it? If you believe that YOU deserve this care, you must believe that the homeless drug addict deserves the same respect.
And I say this as an ER doc who sees people daily who have insurance, have no insurance, take care of themselves, don't take care of themselves, work hard for everything, and expect handouts. I have experience with national healthcare and know its drawbacks and benefits. And I obviously have experience with the current US system. I have my personal beliefs regarding healthcare and insurance (and I'll disclose if you'd like). The current system is broken. But my point in this post is: if you believe that Medicaid should pay for Seth, you should believe that it should care equally for others who cannot afford healthcare AND if that is the case, you should be lobbying for national healthcare.
This entire post is another reason why I am so glad that I live in Canada. You couldn't pay me enough money to move someplace without national health coverage. This breaks my heart. The fact that you are talking about taxes when we are discussing a human life, breaks my heart.
And yes, I am donating to Seth.
It's not a "necessary" procedure, but one that is likely to prolong his life by fixing ONE of the problems associated with DiGeorge. Only 50 of so of all the kids born with DiGeorge have had this done. The local hospital can't do it - only Duke in NC does them. I don't believe any others in the world are currently doing thymus transplants.
Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification.
I COMPLETELY agree! Now can you help convince the rest of North America of this?
I really don't understand the mindset of people who don't think everyone deserves health care. Glad to know I'm not alone in that
This. It is a basic need that everyone deserves- rich, poor, black, yellow or purple. The mindset of some is just frustrating.
My line of work is with one of the biggest health insurance companies.... but your post really just disgusted me! I hope that one day you never lose your job, your insurance, and require any sort of serious medical treatment...
pathetic to honestly post something like this in this thread...
I think you misunderstand. I'm the one that said we NEED national health care and that EVERYONE should be covered (regardless of age, income, and contribution to society). I just said quite bluntly that no one in the US seems willing to pay for it. Did YOU write to your president and senators and congressmen in support of the national health care? I did! Will it raise my taxes, probably a LOT more than yours. Do I care? NO! I'm sick of seeing people whose health care benefits hinge on employment status or income level. Re-read the post please.
I re-read your post... for some reason the bump cut off half of your post... I had to copy and paste into a word doc... I do appologize. I do agree and disagree with some of your points lol but will leave it at that...
That's a great idea. I will post on my FB page too.
I only meant that there is no excuse for kids not being covered. We can debate forever about adults being covered or not being covered but how can there be any debate about kids? What does that say about us as a society- that we don't take care of the youngest and most helpless.
IUI- BFN IVF #1 -BFP! Allie is our 2nd IVF baby. Born at 36 1/2 weeks after pre-e again