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Pastor Diagnosed With Cancer: 'No Compassion in the Affordable Care Act'
Weekly Standard ^ | March 18, 2014 | Daniel Halper

Posted on 03/18/2014 8:24:04 AM PDT by grundle

A pastor recently diagnosed with cancer, and who is covered under Obamacare, tells a local Iowa reporter that there's "no compassion in the Affordable Care Act."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVRLCLcZljY

"Back in January, Pastor Angran was diagnosed with stage three cancer of the esophagus. He had insurance, but because of a previous heart condition, it did not cover the treatments he needed for his cancer. He found that out just minutes before receiving life-saving chemo," says the local reporter.

The pastor says, "One of the workers came and said let me talk to you. And so I went to talk to her. She says that we found out that your insurance does not include chemo."

"Over the past two months, the Angrans have emptied their savings account and racked up $50,000 in debt. They signed up for the Affordable Care Act," says the local reporter, "but found it to be anything but affordable. It will cost the couple more than $800 per month, money they just don't have."

The reporter adds, "As a pastor, Angran has devoted his life to helping others, to being compassionate. He says, 'There's no compassion in the Affordable Care Act.'" Related Stories

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: obamacare
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To: Star Traveler; grundle
A pastor recently diagnosed with cancer, and who is covered under Obamacare

It seems he is covered by ACA. But he didn't get covered until after paying out the $50k.

The article is really deceptive. I'm pretty upset about the whole ACA debacle but I haven't been too happy about the way medical insurance has gone over the last decade anyway (and his situation is a good example). But this kind of deceptive writing only muddies the water.

41 posted on 03/18/2014 9:55:58 AM PDT by marron
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To: marron

When you read the story very, very carefully you see that this meant ... “and who is eligible to be covered under Obamacare.”

It’s either an inept writer - or - an intentionally deceptive writer.


42 posted on 03/18/2014 10:10:49 AM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: GAFreedom

Yeah, it took a while, but we all got it figured out.

I’m not in the exact same situation, but there are some similarities with my situation. I just became eligible for Medicare, and in the first month I ended up in the hospital. Now, I hadn’t yet completed everything else I was going to do, yet — so while the basic Medicare covered most of it, I was still left with bills afterward.

My Part D doesn’t go into effect until a couple of weeks from now. And my Medigap policy will go into effect at the same time.

Now while I would love for them to “go back” and cover stuff that happened before the other policies went into effect - I would be an idiot for even thinking they could or would do that.

I have to pay some money on those previous bills, but I’m not trying to make a big stink of it - just because I didn’t finish my paperwork a month earlier. That’s just the way things happen, sometimes.

AND ... by the way, my Medigap policy won’t factor in any of my pre-existing conditions - and from now on, I won’t have any copays and no deductibles (basically nothing out of pocket from now on, no matter what).


43 posted on 03/18/2014 10:25:08 AM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: Flagpole Erectus

The fact of the matter is that pre-existing conditions are covered under Obamacare. It’s just that this writer of the article is either inept as a writer, or he is being extremely deceptive in his writing.


44 posted on 03/18/2014 10:27:43 AM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: Star Traveler
It was his other insurance policy that did not cover it!

In that case, I don't understand what his complaint is. He should be a poster boy FOR the ACA if Obamacare would have covered him and his prior policy did not.

45 posted on 03/18/2014 10:42:33 AM PDT by Pearls Before Swine
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To: Pearls Before Swine

It’s a deceptive article ...


46 posted on 03/18/2014 10:45:21 AM PDT by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: grundle

Prayers for him.


47 posted on 03/18/2014 1:33:50 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: Din Maker

why would you assume that?

no I believe he is white, but lemme tell ya, most of these “Christians” are liberal


48 posted on 03/18/2014 2:58:38 PM PDT by yldstrk ( My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: grundle; AllAmericanGirl44; Armen Hareyan; B4Ranch; Ban Draoi Marbh Draoi; bayareablues; ...
CANCER WARRIORS PING

This is a ping list for cancer survivors and caregivers to share information. If you would like your name added to or removed from this ping list, please tell us in the comments section at this link (click here). (For the most updated list of names, click on the same link and scroll to the end of the comments.)

49 posted on 03/18/2014 10:49:32 PM PDT by Tired of Taxes
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To: yldstrk

most of these “Christians” are liberal
_____________________________________________________________
I’ve never been able to understand how folks can go to church on SUNDAY and sing, shout, praise The Lord feel The Spirit, and then go into the voting booth on TUESDAY and vote for candidates and a Party that propagates killing little babies in the womb and same-sex marriage. It’s a mystery.


50 posted on 03/19/2014 7:17:10 AM PDT by Din Maker (Rand Paul, Rick Perry endorse Mitch McConnell over Bevin. Neither will ever get my vote in 2016.)
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To: grundle; Tired of Taxes
It will cost the couple more than $800 per month, money they just don't have."

According to Obama, all the pastor has to do is cancel his cable TV and cell phone and he should be able to 'afford' the 'affordable' care act insurance. Well I don't think the pastor has a cable bill and cell phone bill that racks up $800.

51 posted on 03/19/2014 8:51:35 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: RitchieAprile; Tired of Taxes; metmom; boatbums; daniel1212
Cancer is likely to cost upwards of 100K if chemo and radiation is needed.

Leukemia treatments for children and teens (for some types) last 3.5 years and beyond. Cost?

"Average cost for treating acute lymphoblastic leukemia per patient.......................................$566,247"-Source St. Jude's children's hospital (https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/Shared/DocUploads/heroes_sj_info_fy10.pdf)

I will also note, St Jude's will never turn a child away no matter the financial situation of the family. A wonderful charity to give one's first fruits to in Jesus Name.

52 posted on 03/19/2014 9:01:08 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: OrangeHoof; Tired of Taxes; daniel1212; metmom; boatbums
Cancer does not run in my family but, if I were to be diagnosed, I would tell the doctors to give me the pain meds and ask the Lord that I come home quickly but that His will be done. I don’t see the point in bankrupting myself just to buy another six months of life.

It really depends on the type of cancer one has and the particular stage (varies with each type of cancer) you are at when diagnosed. Perhaps if one is in their later years and at an advanced stage where chemo only "buys you time" in months or a couple of years I would see your point. However, I have had some experience with cancer in my family. My son was diagnosed with leukemia at age 10. The survival rate for his form of ALL is 94%. A no brainer to pursue the treatments no? I was diagnosed with stage 3A colon cancer a couple of years ago at the age of 44. I am the bread winner of the family have two young sons. My "survival" was not measured in years at diagnosis. A surgery to remove the cancer and 6 months of chemo I am now what is termed "no evidence showing of cancer." The surgery and chemo stats for my form of cancer has a survival rate of over 70% meaning a 70% or more chance of the cancer not recurring. My son finished his treatments at age 14 a few months ago and has no evidence of recurrence.

So it really depends on your age (can someone in their older years handle the treatments), stage and type of cancer.

I am reminded of a pastor named David Jeremiah who was diagnosed and treated for cancer about the same time as me. Many of his own flock asked why he trusted modern medicine to heal him of his affliction. He responded thus:

David Jeremiah

And the scripture reference he gave for God using natural world solutions to ailments:

Isaiah 38: In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’”

2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.

Then here the treatment prescribed by The Great I AM comes in verse 21 same chapter:

21 Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.”

And Hezekiah's thanksgiving? Same chapter here:

9 This is the writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, when he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:

10 I said, “In the prime of my life I shall go to the gates of Sheol; I am deprived of the remainder of my years.” 11 I said, “I shall not see Yah, The Lord in the land of the living; I shall observe man no more among the inhabitants of the world. 12 My life span is gone, Taken from me like a shepherd’s tent; I have cut off my life like a weaver. He cuts me off from the loom; From day until night You make an end of me. 13 I have considered until morning— Like a lion, So He breaks all my bones; From day until night You make an end of me. 14 Like a crane or a swallow, so I chattered; I mourned like a dove; My eyes fail from looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; Undertake for me!

15 “What shall I say? He has both spoken to me, And He Himself has done it. I shall walk carefully all my years In the bitterness of my soul. 16 O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live. 17 Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. 18 For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your truth. 19 The living, the living man, he shall praise You, As I do this day; The father shall make known Your truth to the children.

20 “The Lord was ready to save me; Therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments All the days of our life, in the house of the Lord.”

53 posted on 03/19/2014 9:27:40 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: Star Traveler
He got the treatment. So, it wasn’t about not getting treated ... it was about who was going to pay for it.

Most of these cases stem from someone having coverage, then losing the coverage they were happy with and were paying for and which covered more. Then getting bounced from "you can keep your doctor if you want" lie Obama told us. Thus having to apply for Obamacare "cold stick" with some exchange you don't know, and they don't know you like your old insurance company, then getting sticker shock that the plan Obamacare presents you is more expensive and covers less. That seems to be the issue with these cases.

Then again, the drones in the Beltway could have just passed a healthcare law which covers those who did not have insurance, one in which protects those with pre-existing conditions and just overwrite it under one program and leave everyone else alone. No but they had to take total control of our lives by passing the monster they created.

54 posted on 03/19/2014 9:37:26 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: lastchance
"Over the past two months, the Angrans have emptied their savings account and racked up $50,000 in debt. They signed up for the Affordable Care Act," says the local reporter, "but found it to be anything but affordable. It will cost the couple more than $800 per month, money they just don't have."

By the piece, he was already in the hole $50 grand.

55 posted on 03/19/2014 9:44:31 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: Pearls Before Swine; Star Traveler; Tired of Taxes
But they would say he had insurance. He just didn’t like the fine print. If he’d had a second heart condition, or an ulcer, he would have been fully covered. But for Stage 3 cancer with prior heart trouble, he wasn’t. I agree it sucks, by the way. But, they’d say that he had insurance.

Well the Lady from the North said it best:

G]overnment health care will not reduce the cost; it will simply refuse to pay the cost. And who will suffer the most when they ration care? The sick, the elderly, and the disabled, of course. The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's "death panel" so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their "level of productivity in society," whether they are worthy of health care. Such a system is downright evil.---Sarah Palin

56 posted on 03/19/2014 9:48:04 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: Mr. K
Obamacare will cover pre-existing conditions...PERIOD!

Not really. Obamacare will allow someone with pre-existing conditions to sign up and get healthcare. Jury is still out if they will COVER or approve treatments of your pre-existing condition. We already have accounts of cancer patients in the middle of treatments switching to Obamacare and then the exchanges not covering as much or any of the cancer treatments. I am sure these are just "glitches" in the system./s

57 posted on 03/19/2014 9:52:35 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: lepton

A pre-existing heart condition should have no bearing on treating someone for cancer. Unless the said treatments would cause his heart to fail. We have no indication of this.


58 posted on 03/19/2014 9:53:55 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: sheana
$1300 mnth and a $12k deductible, for the Silver plan.

Wow! $1300 a month and still a deductable of $12K per year! How can people afford such unless they expect to be really sick each year. No wonder the younger folk want to roll the dice. I think the people who supported this stupidity thought they were going to get free healthcare.

59 posted on 03/19/2014 9:57:34 AM PDT by redleghunter
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To: Flagpole Erectus

For the first time in my long Army career I am happy to say the military medical coverage TriCare is the best thing out there now. When I retire the plan is still going to be much better than anything out there now.


60 posted on 03/19/2014 9:59:15 AM PDT by redleghunter
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