Republicans have failed my family - I NEED SOME INFO PLEASE

[Ioo]

My mother called me this weekend and she laid at my feet info that makes me want to go crazy.

I am a 32 y/o, and while I was in High School my mother was fighting cancer (Hodgkin's Disease) and thanks to the mercy of H. Lee Mofit Cancer Centers in Tampa Florida her treatment was almost free (It was medication/therepy that was in testing).

Well this weekend my mother told me that she has found a mass under her arm/breast....

My mother works for herself, she is a dog groomer in Tampa, she works very hard and makes about 21,616.00 last year.

Because of the past cancer issues, SHE CAN NOT GET INSURANCE!!! If she did it would cost almost $900 a month because of her risks....

So she called me to break the news, and she is looking for the cash to pay (Out of pocket) for a mammogram and a CAT scan...

So I am ask any of my DU'ers is there anyone that works in the Florida area, or for Bill Nelson's office that can please help my mother find some level of healthcare, or info on some programs that she should look into? I want nothing from anyone here other than info please.

I do not know what to do, I am at my wits end, the Republicans have failed my family, here is a gal that works very hard for every $$ and she can not afford any healthcare...

Thank you

[Lars39]

1. Perhaps calling American Cancer Society, Planned Parenthood,

hospital cancer treatment centers,teaching hospitals, breast centers...:hug:

[Ioo]

4. Thank you, looking it up now

[Deja Q]

2. They have failed lots of families.

Many of them are starting to speak out too, but is the concern genuine for America (and their forgotten contract with it), or because there's an election in 6 months?

[Ravenseye]

3. Have her look into small business organizations in her area

We have one here in Pittsburgh I belong to called SMC Business Councils through which I can get group health insurance. The good thing about group health insurance is that there are no preexisting conditions. The bad part differs by state. I don't know how Florida does it. Some states prevent it, but in others how much you pay in a group depends on all members of that group. If it's just her it could be higher. I'd be shocked if it's still 900 a month though. Probably more like 300-400 a month.

Still that's hard to afford on a 30k a year depending on your other expenses, and often that base cost still has a large deductible you need to go through first.

Still no matter how things work out you should have her look into it. If she's self employeed in her own business she should be able to find a group down there that can help her get set up, whether she can pay for it is a different matter.

Otherwise have her to go an independent office and find out the prices before she gets a mammograph (ie don't go get one in a hospital, go to an indpendent office). Call prior and ask how much it'll cost without insurance. Shop around. Barter. You'll get a better price without insurance at a non hospital aligned shop and if they know before hand you don't have insurance. Don't be afraid to ask for a lower price. The insurnace companies do it all the time. They can always say no.

You're spot on with regards to how hard your mother works. It's too common that Republicans that I affiliate with in networking events are just ignorant about how much it costs. Either they work for companies and the health care cost is hidden from them, or they just don't understand how hard it is to live on 30k a year. They'll say things like 'well if they can't live on that then they need to work harder or find a better job.' With your mother though she obviously works hard, and provides a needed specilized service. We need national health care for your mother, the republican party had failed her.

Oh and one more thing. Have your mother raise her prices, and say so in a sign or handout to people. I can't afford health care and I might have cancer. I'm raising my prices so that I can afford to purchase health care, and lay out all the costs, etc, of how much health care costs her. Hopefully that'll guilt her clients into forking over more money.

[Ioo]

5. Placed a call w/ Bill Nelson's office as well, beg for help

[Coexist]

6. Last week - they had free mammograms - I wish I had known you needed this

call and see when they will be doing it again:
For more information, contact:
Radiology Department
352-793-5900 ext. 2945


http://www.4woman.gov/whw/events/2005/FL.cfm

or try here:
http://www.sjbhealth.org/11629.cfm
"Free Screenings
If corporate clients have members of their team without health insurance, we do offer a free breast cancer screening program. Please contact Sharon Tollin at [phone] for more information on eligibility requirements."

or here:

http://24.173.147.140/breast_cancer/breast_main.htm

[Ioo]

7. Calling now! - Thanks

[Doctor Venmkan]

10. Good luck....

:hug:

[Ioo]

9. THANK YOU - They are going to find a place for her mamagram

I called them, because she does not live in hillsborough county (She works in tampa but lives in a far flung burb) they are not sure if THEY can do it, but the Saint that picked up the phone said that they would try to get the manager to sign off on it, or they will find someone in Hernando County to do it.

Thanks for the lead, bless you!

[Coexist]

11. best of luck to you both!

I'm glad it worked out.

[WePurrsevere]

8. Not sure if this will help but I did a quick Google for free/low cost

breast cancer screening and Tampa and St. Joseph's Hospital's Cancer Institute came up: http://www.sjbhealth.org/194.cfm - I'd also suggest Planned Parenthood (they're not just about abortion and parenthood issues), a local medical university hospital and perhaps contacting the hospital that helped her in the past. If she (or you doing it for her) does this she (you) should explain her past history, present lack of health insurance because of that and that she has now found a mass under her breast and is scared. If they can't help her have her ask them where she can get help and treatmemt. In the past this is what I've found worked for me and although I live in NY I'm hoping that the system is similar down there.

My thoughts and prayers go out to your Mom. My step-mom is a breast cancer survivor and I lost a friend to breast cancer (as well as one to Hodgkins) so this area is dear to my heart.

edited to add: sorry for the dup info. I forgot that refresh is my friend. :banghead:

[cap]

12. maybe there is a special state fund to cover high risk patients

in maryland there is. My BIL is eligible for one. Prices vary on age, not condition so it runs 4-500/month. Dont know if this helps. Otherwise see if she can get disability. Or she has to stop working, strip her assets and qualify for medicaid. Income 300/month. Assets 3000.

[Yupster]

13. Texas has this too

I thought every state did.

My wife was on it while I was self-employed. The cost is based on income level.