Denver boy, 9, died after state-benefits error denied him asthma medication

Denver Post ^ | February 4, 2010 | Allison Sherry

[John D]

This lady didn't try hard enough, IMO

She didn't try hard enough??? Hell, she didn't try at all. She was not willing to work to get funds to pay for the medicine. She wasn't willing to put out the effort to try and find help in getting the medicine. She just wanted somebody else to do everything for her. Typical moocher.

[sheana]

I am on Medicare/disability and have never heard of such a thing. I just went through a full yr of treatment for breast cancer and never had a problem. Some of my meds were not pd for since I was in the donut hole and my prescription INS didn’t cover them but I just pd for them with no problem.
I took care of my mother for 4 yes and she was medi/medi, best INS anyone can have they pay for everything. For 4 yes the only thing they didn’t pay for that there was no generic for was Advair. She was a breast cancer patient so lots of doctors and treatments. She was never denied a doctor, treatment, or type of medication except the Advair and we just pd for it.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I will put money on her being on public assistance. Then she wouldn’t have $175/month available to purchase it outright.

And the article states that they were getting treatment, including his getting so ill after an attack he never recovered.

[stylin_geek]

When I was between insurance, Primatene was what I could afford. Also, none of the new drugs were around either.

I don’t use Primatene currently. It’s been years since I’ve used it, as a matter of fact.

Now, I make more money and can afford Advair at full price, even without insurance.

[Osage Orange]

In hindsite....you could be right.

Another angle is maybe this woman...isn't all that bright.

Like most have mentioned here....we don't have the whole story. And we probably won't ever.....

[ican'tbelieveit]

There was an article recently here about the highest % of recipients of public assistance in MO, I believe. The article was trying to slam Walmart, but looking closely at the numbers, the employers with largest % of employees on public assistance is the state itself.

[Vendome]

Exactly. It’s called “White Coat Syndrome” and people ar intimidated by other people wearing white coats.

You have to be the single biggest advocate for your self or find some one who is stronger and well read on your condition.

To many people suffer from just doing what a doctor says and not all thera pies work the same for each person.

[ican'tbelieveit]

One thing I want to point out, when you buy prescrips from Canada, you are cheating the company that developed and brought the drug to market. Because Canada forces drug companies to sell their products in Canada at lower costs (to reduce Canada’s public health expenditures), the companies lose money in Canada and have to recover the money on US sales.

[Osage Orange]

Good.

Primatene mist should be banned.....IMO.

[Vendome]

kimmie7 might want your help.

[Ditter]

I too had asthma as a child in the 40’s and 50’s, no Advair. I don't remember what I took but I had pills and an inhaler. At times I feared that I was going to die but only had to go to the ER once. This poor boy died a horrible death over a period of 4 months. The system failed him but I feel that his mother failed him as well. I would beg on the street for money to buy my childs medication if that was the only way I could get it. I wonder what was irritating this childs lungs, in my case it was the feather mattress that I slept on. When my parents got me a new mattress I was a new kid. This was long before allergy testing I suppose, at least I knew nothing about it at the time.

[Vendome]

like I said, my experience is different.

Wasn’t big deal. got the meds the next day but I would have started getting agitated if they weren’t there the next day.

on the procedure, I don’t recall the specifics of what or why there was a limitation but, I do remember my response being on the order of “WTH”

[Vendome]

why?

[Vendome]

What’s “the Donut Hole”?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

And Dr.’s have samples. My children were given a sample of Advair.

That is what I didn't get either.

Back when I didn't have health insurance my doctor gave me an entire bag of samples. Why didn't she call his doctor and ask for help?

[Born Conservative]

I don’t discount your theory at all. But if this woman WAS asking for help, why didn’t anyone see it through so the child got his med?

[kimmie7]

Very thoughtful, however my asthma has recently taken a turn for the “oh my gosh” and Advair no longer helps. They have moved me to Symbicort full strength.

[kimmie7]

They put me on Pulmicort first, but I began having severe anger issues and demonic nightmares. Thank the Lord they got me off that fast. LOL

[GailA]

Socialized Med thread

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2443993/posts

[Chickensoup]

I don’t discount your theory at all. But if this woman WAS asking for help, why didn’t anyone see it through so the child got his med?

You seem to think that there is some sort of system in place to make sure things like this do not happen. The only way things like this wont happen is to privatize everything. The state cannot meet people's needs because bureaucracies cannot flex.