From Wizbang comes this disturbing story of a woman with cancer and her insurance company's refusal to pay for life extending medication - and instead offering her assisted suicide. What makes this story even more disturbing is that the state of Oregon is her insurance company!
The Oregon state health care system responded to Susan Harding's request for cancer treatment that could extend her life - but not cure her cancer - for $4,000 a month by sending her a letter denying the request, and instead, stating that the "plan would pay for comfort care, including 'physician aid in dying,' better known as assisted suicide."
Oregon denies that they make life and death decisions based on costs - but it is interesting to note that it will cost $4,000 per month to extend Ms Harding's life and only a one time payment of $100 for the drugs to end her life.
Fortunately, this story has somewhat of a happy ending - Genetech - the pharmaceutical company that makes the prescribed drug, agreed to cover the cost of Ms. Harding's treatments.
The only "evil" I see here is not to be found in the pharmaceutical or private insurance industries - but in the government run health insurance agency.
More change I hope not to see.
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