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HEALTH INSURANCE CASUALTY OF THE DAY: Samuel McAdam - Thornton, PA - 09/18/08

Posted by Colette Washing... on September 17, 2008 - 7:27pm

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Brother Denied Peaceful Goodbye to His Family

“My brother-in-law, Samuel McAdam, was diagnosed with stage four melanoma/sarcoma,” recalls Sheryl Weersing of Thornton, Pa. “His doctors recommended an oral drug that was being used to give patients some time with their families to get their lives in order, without being tied to intravenous meds. His insurance company denied the treatment. They insisted that he start with a treatment that was for a stage I or II level of the disease, for which he had to go to the hospital and get IV therapy.” 



“We were so worried that he wouldn't survive until his son arrived home from the Air Force. He lasted until Jan. 13, 2007, with most of that time spent in pain. In addition to battling dehydration, the side effects of chemotherapy, and the rapid progression of his disease, he also had to spend his last days fighting with the insurance company instead of being able to spend peaceful time with his family. He was only 64.”

Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

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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.

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