Only in America-Technicality may cost Fort Lauderdale woman a bone marrow transplant

[trumad]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.
A 28-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman says she may be denied a lifesaving transplant because she accepted government funds to care for her son.

Diana Smith was scheduled to receive a bone marrow transplant Tuesday for her leukemia, after raising $133,000 online.

However, Smith says the federal government revoked her Medicaid status when she accepted a Social Security disability check.

Smith didn't ask for it, but the agency called and offered $1,100 monthly to help care for her son. She accepted without knowing it could jeopardize her insurance and the lifesaving procedure.

Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami cannot perform the procedure unless Smith receives Medicaid, which acts as a backup insurance for the hospital should something go wrong, state officials said. The hospital gave Smith until 1 p.m. Monday to rectify the problem.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-transplant-denied-medicaid-20100411-5,0,401283.story

[Odin2005]

1. That is FUCKED UP!!!

:grr:

[customerserviceguy]

2. This is just another

in the series of arguments for single payer.

[area51]

5. +1

This wouldn't happen if we were a first-world, civilized country that believed health care is a basic human right.

Every day, 273 people die due to lack of healthcare in the U.S.

We need to begin a transition to single-payer NOW.

[jtrockville]

3. Uniquely American.

[Orsino]

4. And Governor Crist says...? n/t