Who's going to pay for this?
A Kansas City, Missouri man is being held on second-degree murder charges after he tossed his ailing wife from their fourth floor apartment balcony to her death, allegedly because he couldn't afford her astronomical health costs.
According to court documents, Stanley Reimer kissed his wife goodbye and then threw her over the railing. His wife, Cristie Reimer, had suffered from cancer and neurological problems and weighed just 75 pounds. The medical costs ranged from $700-$800 a week.
Court papers indicated that she had no medical insurance, however, published reports suggested that Reimer qualified for family health benefits on his job. The reports said that due to privacy concerns, his employer wouldn't say whether he was covered.
Of course, even if he had medical insurance, it's likely that it didn't cover the full cost of his wife's treatment.
This tragedy underscores the need for some kind of national health care. Those who argue that the cost of national health care is too much for the country to sustain should look at the price tag attached to the war in Iraq. Perhaps if the nation wasn't spending billions of dollars on such an unpopular war, there would be revenues to cover national health care.
Agreements that companies made with their employees, to provide health care benefits through retirement to their deaths, are being unilaterally withdrawn. Some long time Ford Motor Company retirees, for example, are seeing their health benefits reduced at year's end.
Apparently those who have outlived the actuarial tables need to be penalized for beating the odds. After all, without adequate health care, they may kick the bucket saving the companies tons of money.
1 comment:
This issue is near and dear to my heart. Though I have coverage due to military benefits, as someone dealing with catastrophic illness, I have looked into the various types of help available.
There's so many helps out there. And something always there to fit a person's needs and abilities. Unfortunately many Americans do not research and self-advocate enough.
One resource:
http://www.cancer.org/
Is one I have gone to consistently for input and ideas. Contacting groups and organizations that can help you is vitally important.
Medicaid and medicare are available for those who are strapped for medical care. Is it the "best"? It can be. Again, YOU have to be actively involved in your care. It's YOUR body! YOUR life!
This event was tragic. And avoidable. If there's one element to the medical system in America that is lacking, it's information and education about self-advocasy not being out there enough. The internet was my saving grace.
And today there are independent clinics specializing in treatment options for cancer patients. Often they will offer financial assistance:
http://www.cancercenter.com/
Need to fly somewhere for treatment?
http://www.aircareall.org/
http://www.corpangelnetwork.org/
There is so much out there! And I will also add that wigs, hats, scarves, all are offered FREE through programs.
Even your prescription meds can be handled.
This was such an unnecessary tragedy.
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