"The surgery was a little over $1,000 and the lab fees were $400. I am only 20 and obviously don't have that kind of money lying around. My parents had to take out a credit card to pay for my surgery because since the economy is so poor I couldn't qualify for a loan."

Crystal now has health insurance through her employer, but her cancer diagnosis came before full coverage for her treatment. "Now my parents because of the recession are near bankruptcy because they wanted to help me out. If I had waited on the surgery it (my cancer) might have spread within a month, and I would have had to have chemo—and if I couldn't afford that I would have lost my life. I have to go every three months for follow-up checks to make sure it doesn't come back and that only adds up more and more money."

"If something isn't done then I may not be able to continue being checked. I would be forced to leave my life in the hands of hope and just pray that my cancer doesn't come back," Crystal said.

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Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

For more information, or to contact this patient: Liz Jacobs, RN 510/273-2232.

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Last week two new California data privacy and security bills were signed into law. Senate Bill 541 and Assembly Bill 211 set new breach disclosure standards and require security controls for preventing unauthorized access to patient data.

I previously posted about the bills before they were finalized. Computer World, “New health care privacy laws heighten need for HIPAA compliance in California,” provides background and a good overview on the scope of the laws with great links to additional information.

Those who do health care business in California should take a close look at these new laws.

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The New York Personal Injury Law Blog relays a incident involving a subpoena issued to a medical blogger related to anonymous comments made on his blog.

The incident involved medical blogger, Westby Fisher, MD (Dr. Wes), who was subpoenaed for a discovery deposition to determine whether he knew the anonymous commenter who left a comment on a post.

Interesting reading for medical and health care bloggers.

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AIG should have a new name - At It aGain. (Sorry, I had to take a little creative license to make it work.) AIG just got bailed out from the government. So, what do they do? Spend over $200,000 on…
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"As just one example, the copayment for Elmiron, the only medicine specifically for treating interstitial cystitis, zoomed from $25 a month in 1999 for 200 capsules to $250 a month now for 180 capsules. Blue Cross will not cover the syringes, needles, urinary catheter, Lidocaine, or sodium bicarbonate that I needs to administer the cocktail of medicines I use.

"I truly do not know how much longer I will be able to keep my home that I've lived in for the last 30 years. In saying all that I've said, I do realize that there are many people who are much worse off. While I am not terminally ill, my quality of life suffers immensely due to my illnesses and the financial strain that has resulted."

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Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

For more information, or to contact this patient: Liz Jacobs, RN 510/273-2232.

Go to Source