Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Terminally Ill Denied Drugs for Life, But Can Opt for Suicide
By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMES on the ABC News web page.
The news from Barbara Wagner's doctor was bad, but the rejection letter from her insurance company was crushing.
The 64-year-old Oregon woman, whose lung cancer had been in remission, learned the disease had returned and would likely kill her. Her last hope was a $4,000-a-month drug that her doctor prescribed for her, but the insurance company refused to pay.
What the Oregon Health Plan did agree to cover, however, were drugs for a physician-assisted death. Those drugs would cost about $50.
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The insurance company's ethical position should be known to all who plan to purchase coverage. Reporters, please cover this type of story.
ReplyDeleteThe Oregon Health Plan appears to be the Oregon Medicaid program.
ReplyDelete