can a poor person without health insurance still find cutting edge or top quality care against cancer ... or is the fight against cancer only sucsessful for wealthy people
2006-08-07 12:38:11 · 10 answers · asked by twisty 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
I think you can still get adequate treatment, the thing I have found is that referrals take forever when you are on public assistance...so that could make a dramatic difference...try to get to a teaching hospital if possible...
Also, my mother just had her 2nd bout of cancer and was all but wiped out financially...so eventually, everyone ends up in the same place.
2006-08-07 12:56:23 · answer #1 · answered by bitter_winds 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's simple. It's all about a good doctor. Most doctors that genuinly care will look past what insurance you do or don't carry. For example, my uncle at 46 was diagnosed with the same cancer that took my grandpa 15 yrs ago. The doctors knew the heriditary factor and still dicked around with tests and who would cover what. My uncle works for General Motor and has excellent insurance but still he is fighting with doctors to meet his needs. So personally, I do think it depends on the doctor that is taking care of the situation.....
2006-08-07 18:18:02 · answer #2 · answered by Covert Mama 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband had cancer, and since he wasn't able to work, one of the workers came to the hospital and signed him up for Medicaid.She also put a rush on getting it approved, as he needed chemo asap. Since the surgery was emergency, the medicaid backtracked and covered it as well. He went to one of the top doctors for his type of cancer, and has been in remission 3+ years. So yes, if the right steps are taken, "poor" people can get top-notch cancer treatment too.
2006-08-07 19:06:37 · answer #3 · answered by ★Fetal☆ ★And ☆ ★Weeping☆ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES, absolutely you can. Teaching hospitals are great. Clinical trials are great if you have a difficult to treat cancer. And individual pharmaceutical companies give out free drug to people in need if you or your doctor's office manager contacts them.
Of course, I'm talking about the US. If you're in the UK or Canada you're only going to have good health care if you come to the US and pay for it. That's why socialized medicine sucks!
2006-08-07 15:15:41 · answer #4 · answered by snakebread 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the referrals taking forever it seems and I've heard that the teaching hospitals are the way to go but I also believe every citizen of the United States deserves equal and fair treatment after all we all pay taxes no matter how high or low our salaries.
2006-08-07 14:55:03 · answer #5 · answered by lainey lain 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Hospitals get tax money to help indigent patients. At the hospital in my town, there is the clinic and you just call and get an appointment with the oncology clinic. The social worker there will help apply for medicaid if you're a candidate. That is in the U.S., as others have pointed out.
2006-08-07 16:16:04 · answer #6 · answered by Becca 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ughgh, that sucks......
I had cancer 2x, and it was pain in the butt, even with insurance.
There should be someone out there to help. THe hospitals usually get grants, so I would talk to he financial dept there also.
Goo Luck
2006-08-07 13:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by riverstarr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just eat apricot seeds, for 15.00 a pound is a months supply, and that usually does the trick. I don't need no expensive mercinary to take away my life savings for something that can be remedied with natural solutions.
2006-08-07 15:18:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The information on my page might be of help. Make sure you read the cancer testimonials.
2006-08-09 09:14:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I am not sure but I hope so! I think everyone should be treated equally!
2006-08-07 13:58:47 · answer #10 · answered by yeppers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋