I talked with Melanie again today.

[knitter4democracy]

Her sister is still doing as well as she did yesterday, so that's good. For a better description of that, check this post from yesterday: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1056998

Melanie was furious about some of the right wing faction who have been coming and posting here and being nice here only to go to other sites and badmouth us and say that we're not doing anything. She asked me to keep an eye out for any trolls and to make sure we alert the mods. As Melanie put it, when they attack DU, they are attacking her and her family (all Dems, apparently) as well, not to mention her friends here. She doesn't have time for this crap, and she's really upset by it.

The one she was really upset about has been banned, so that's been taken care of, but I can't seem to find anything bad by that person, either here or anywhere else. I didn't search for hours, but it just didn't show up anywhere I looked.

Melanie thinks that there's something up with the social worker, so I'm going to be looking into that. If she lied to my husband about Andrea's level of medical care of anything, I will make sure that he files a complaint. I'm going to have him talk with Andrea's new doctor as soon as possible (he's on call tomorrow, so that makes it difficult) and have them compare notes.

We really, really need to start calling Blue Cross, Blue Shield. The social worker (granted, not the best source--as it was a total suprise to Melanie) told my hubby that the insurance company, BC/BS, is stopping all payment as of tomorrow. Andrea's policy, though, should be fine, so we need to call them up and fight for her coverage, too.

Texas Blue Cross, Blue Shield contact info:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
901 S. Central Expressway
Richardson, Texas 75080
General Information: [phone]
Automated Job Line: [phone]
TDD: [phone] (for the hearing- impaired)

Here's their site: http://www.bcbstx.com/index.htm

I'm hitting the phones again tomorrow. Please help out by e-mailing or faxing or phoning anyone in the major media or anyone in politics you can think of.

[UrbScotty]

1. If God exists, may He/She/It bless Melanie.

[IndyOp]

2. Please tell Melanie to ignore any/all posts she thinks are freepers...

The trolls cannot hurt us at DU and they cannot hurt her or her family. Ignore the small-minded, small-hearted idiots.

I will bookmark this page and call Blue Cross/Blue Shield tomorrow.

It is enraging to see what has happened to BC/BS -- they seem to be slumming like the rest of the medical insurers these days. My mother had cancer when I was a kid and they covered everything, everything. She used to describe them as 'the gold standard' -- and now, well... :grr:

[knitter4democracy]

16. I'm still not entirely sure.

Melanie was shocked when I told her, and she and I are wondering if it's a lie from the social worker. If it's true, then the gloves come off!!

Still, I don't think it would hurt to call them and let them know we're watching. You know?

[elehhhhna]

19. Most state BCBS companies converted form nonprofit to for-profit

in 2001-2003

[Rosemary2205]

3. Info needed

I am in HR admin for a company that insures 34,000 people through BCBS. After speaking with the owners they have authorized me to use the threat of changing insurers when contacting BCBS about this matter.

I need Andrea's last name and the name of the hospital where she is currently being treated. Sorry if this is repeat into. I'm a newbie here and had trouble finding another thread with this specific info in it.

Thanks


I have also have a contact in the UAW National bargaining commitee. BCBS covers all Ford and GM workers/retirees on dental and many on major medical. He is going to see if they can provide some pressure also.

[IndyOp]

4. Wow! Please PM KnitterForDemocracy with your offer --

Just click on the "envelope" next to her name in the original post...

Thank you! It sounds as if you can make a real difference for Andrea and Melanie!

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

Welcome to DU..! :hi:

[knitter4democracy]

13. I PM'd her.

Thanks for getting this to my attention. Andrea needs all the help she can get right now.

[IndyOp]

5. Here is one of the threads:

Please note the rough chronology of events: Melanie posted at DU asking for help to get her sister's case some public & media attention. She got help, got TV coverage, got right-to-lifers calling St. Luke's. St. Luke's agreed to cover the cost of transfering her sister to Chicago. The family changed doctors, her sister seemed to improve a little, and now St. Luke's has backed out of their offer to transfer her to Chicago & BCBS is threatening to stop covering her care.

The post below (with the info you needed) was just after St. Luke's agreed to cover the cost of the transfer -- they have since pulled the offer off the table and BCBS is threatening to stop covering her care.

Killing My Sister, Update and Thank You
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1045650

"Some of you might remember my posting on DU about my sister, Andrea Clark, for whom St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital in Houston was threatening to terminate care. Andrea would have died had St. Luke's been successful. Because of DU and others, Andrea is now being transferred to a facility in Chicago, Illinois. They have no futile care law in Chicago, so Andrea will be okay there."

Again: St. Luke's has since pulled this offer off the table and BCBS is threatening to stop covering her care.

[Oversea Visitor]

6. Good job

:hug:

So far no much troll
Just people trying save life.

[Kurovski]

7. K&R. Thanks.(nt)

[NancyG]

8. k&r nt

[crispini]

9. K&R

Thank you, k4d! :thumbsup:

[SPKrazy]

10. I'd Like To Know More About What The Social Worker Is Saying

As a social worker, I'd like to know if this social worker is lying to people and violating her code of ethics.

I don't want to believe that, but I recognize that she (I think it is a she) is under a lot of pressure from the hospital, but lying isn't okay.

If she is a member of NASW, they should know about this.

I'd like to know more if you can possibly let me know.

PM me if you like.

Thanks

Steve

[Crunchy Frog]

11. This whole situation is making me furious!

When are all of these entities going to stop tormenting this poor woman and her family?

I admit I was taken in by the right wingers who were posting here. I guess the divisions in our society are so great that it's not possible for people to come together and leave partisanship out, even for something like this. Incredibly sad.:(

[knitter4democracy]

14. They're still working for Andrea, though.

I've been e-mailing one of them and checking out others. In fact, they're putting together a protest and want us to come. I'll post when I know more--like where and when. There's still hope. :D

[bonito]

12. K&R from a caregiver

Never give up! Peace,Love,Life,God, all the same. peace

[knitter4democracy]

15. Thank you.

You know how hard it is. Bless you for all you do and all you give up for yourself. Thank you.

[Iowa]

17. K&R

[knitter4democracy]

18. There's still a lot on the last thread.

Make sure to check that one, too. I'm sorry this is getting unwieldy, but I'm trying to keep a thread going a day so that we can keep one on the greatest page every day so that everyone can know what's going on with Andrea.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1056998

[elehhhhna]

20. The right-to-lifers would be a powerful force if their attentions were

diverted to more immediate, pressing life/death issues (like lack of healthcare, predatory insurers, and GW's futile "care" laws, etc.)

Andreas case is the bridge.


The fact that she was saved at birth by the legendary Dr. DeBakey, then consigned to die some 50 years later by the most expensive HC system on this planet is striking. Where the hell is Michael Moore?

[knitter4democracy]

22. Last I knew, his people were working with the family.

I hope he's still involved.

[Midlodemocrat]

21. Please hit alert if you suspect someone is a disruptor.

We have eliminated several who signed up just to post about this issue, but of course, we can't be aware of every single one.

Thanks.

[knitter4democracy]

23. I didn't because no one seemed to be a problem.

Melanie was dealing with them on their blogs and websites, though, and was seeing a lot of anti-DU sentiment on those. The one that made her the most upset has already been banned, so you guys did a great job on that one.

Thank you for helping so much with this. I really appreciate keeping track of everything and making it all work better. Thank you. :yourock:

[knitter4democracy]

24. Boo-yeah!!! Now this is some great news!!!

This is from Rosemary2205 (a really awesome DUer :) ):

I contacted our account rep at BCBS (the person who makes the commission off our account) I was put in touch with Diane Jacobsen at BCBS Texas. I was told that Andrea's coverage was set to end only because BCBS was told by the hospital they would be pulling the plug today. BCBS told me all that has to happen is for the hospital to notify BCBS officially that Andrea is still alive and getting care. Supposedly, this is just a minor communication problem between the hospital's financial office and BCBS - and I hope that's all it is.

I have advised our account rep and Diane Jacobsen at BCBS Texas that we will drop our BCBS coverage when our contract is up in June if Andrea's coverage is pulled or reduced prior to her death.

The UAW and Ford reps are contacting their people also. We are still working on GM.


Now this is some kickin' awesome news!!! I had a bad day with everything else and didn't get to the insurance stuff yet, so I really needed to hear this. Yay!!!