Death by HMO: C Edwards

Charles Edwards can't tell his own story. I am telling it for him but, since I can't ask his permission to use his real last name, I have changed it. All other details are accurate. This is an example of how the system can fail--even when we have insurance.

Dr. Linda Pino testified before the U.S. Congress May 30, 1996, to bring to light common insurance company practices such as giving bonuses and financial incentives to those making coverage decisions for the insurance company based on the percentage of denials they issued. The more procedures denied, the higher their personal income. Dr. Pino called her testimony a confession admitting that some patients died due to her denial of medically necessary care. She eventually quit her job.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• healthcare_reform
• healthcare
• insurance
• politics

[dilligafst]

I was almost like Mr. Edwards and for the same reasons: HMO denials. Liver disease, due to natural causes. I know what it feels like to be denied. I know the intense frustrations that you go through while fighting an insurance company that does not care whether you live or die, would, in fact have you die, so that they do not have to pay for you. This is what America really is. We are not a humane nation, built on freedom, but human lives destroyed for the dollar. that is what we really are

[alisoninrome]

@dilligafst I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. Unfortunately, greed and profit often come first in our system. I hope some day that will change. People fight against health care reform--until they or someone they love has a problem. Then they see the way the system really is. Thanks for watching.



[HikariHime29]

That is a HORRIBLE story, but it happens ALL THE TIME! It's sickening.

Something similar happened to my father. He had a debilitating stroke. The insurance dropped us. We couldn't afford treatment. He later developed lung problems, we coudln't afford the life saving treatments. He slowly sufficated for over a week until he eventually suffered from lung/kidney failure and cardiac arrest.

I was 17. I held him as he died. No one should have to go through that. No one should have to die.

[alisoninrome]

I am so sorry. I agree, no one should have to go through that. No one should die so that insurance companies can be more profitable and pay their execs 11 million a year. I'm sorry for what happened to you and your Dad. Please tell your story. So many people in America (as you can see from posts on this and other videos I've done) think that his doesn't happen in America. Maybe if they knew what has happened to you and others, they would change their minds. Thanks for writing

[tinimpajko]

now that is sad. i hope you get your health care in better shape.

i am from a country that is way poorer than yours and things like that never happen.

all because of the fact that we were once comunists and you cant take away good public healthcare once you already have it

good luck

and

peace

[alisoninrome]

Thank you for listening.

[dilligafst]

@alisoninrome: Thanks for your comments. I am actually now a health care advocate for a single-payer health care campaign in Vermont, where I live. I have told my story numerous times and am writing about it. I have testified before legislators. This year, I was part of Vermont enacting the nation's first single-payer health care law, pointing the state on the road to a single-payer system. I liked your video. I was very close to being like Mr. Edwards.

[xxxild]

of course~ and we are now on my messed up friends list. probably bcause I haven't been on in so long.

[theqmogvlogs]

Thank you for sending me to these videos.

[theqmogvlogs]

You are an incredible voice for the need for healthcare, Thankyou for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[xxxild]

I'm both sad and happy for you that you got out of that line of work. It's sad knowing there is one less caring person advocating for very sick people.

[xxxild]

If almost half the country would stop worrying about people "getting something for nothing" maybe we could BEGIN to have a dialogue that wasn't fraught with fear and even envy. The idea that the government is bad at this is not realistic. Look at Tricare for the military.