So no one's even bothered!.....
________________________________________
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Feb 17;2:CD007511.
Laparoscopic versus open surgery in small bowel obstruction.
Cirocchi R, Abraha I, Farinella E, Montedori A, Sciannameo F.
Clinica Chirurgica Generale e d'Urgenza, Azienda Ospedaliera di Terni, Terni, Italy, 05100.
BACKGROUND: Acute intestinal obstruction is one of the most common surgical emergencies. The small bowel obstruction (SBO) is the site of obstruction in most patients (76%) and adhesions are the most common etiology (65%). Laparoscopy in SBO has no clear role yet as it may have a therapeutic and diagnostic function. In some settings laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted surgery is considered feasible and convenient more than conventional surgery for SBO; however little is known if laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted surgery is more suitable with respect to open surgery for patients with SBO. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review is to assess whether laparoscopic or laparoscopy-assisted surgery is feasible and safe for acute SBO, and whether laparoscopic and laparoscopy-assisted surgery present advantages compared to open surgery in terms of short-term and long-term outcomes. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched for published randomised and prospective controlled clinical trials without language restrictions using the following electronic databases: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (1950 onwards) and EMBASE (1980 onwards). SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials and non randomised controlled prospective trials evaluating laparoscopic and laparoscopy-assisted surgery versus traditional open surgery for acute SBO were considered. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We conducted the review according to the recommendations of The Cochrane Collaboration and the Cochrane Colorectal Group as well, using Review Manager 5 to conduct the review. MAIN RESULTS: No published or unpublished randomised controlled trials or prospective controlled clinical trials comparing laparoscopy with open surgery for patients with SBO were identified. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Although data from retrospective clinical controlled trials suggest that laparoscopy seems feasible and better in terms of hospital stay and mortality reduction, high quality randomised controlled trials assessing all clinically relevant outcomes including overall mortality, morbidity, hospital stay and conversion are needed.
PMID: 20166096 [PubMed - in process]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20166096?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=14
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Rep. John Murtha dies after surgery complications
(CNN) -- Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a longtime fixture on the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending, died after complications from gallbladder surgery, according to his office. He was 77.
The Democratic congressman recently underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to remove his gallbladder. The procedure was "routine minimally invasive surgery," but doctors "hit his intestines," a source close to the late congressman told CNN.
Murtha was initially hospitalized in December and had to postpone a hearing with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the administration's strategy in Afghanistan. The congressman returned to work after a few days in the hospital and helped oversee final passage of the 2010 defense appropriations bill.
More:http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/08/john.murtha.obit/index.html?hpt=T2
The Democratic congressman recently underwent scheduled laparoscopic surgery at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to remove his gallbladder. The procedure was "routine minimally invasive surgery," but doctors "hit his intestines," a source close to the late congressman told CNN.
Murtha was initially hospitalized in December and had to postpone a hearing with Defense Secretary Robert Gates on the administration's strategy in Afghanistan. The congressman returned to work after a few days in the hospital and helped oversee final passage of the 2010 defense appropriations bill.
More:http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/08/john.murtha.obit/index.html?hpt=T2
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Surgical gel gets blame for pain
By RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post
NATALIE SLADE/Dominion Post
SCARRED: Carla Gardiner had to have a four-hour operation to remove the scar tissue caused by anti-scarring gel during her initial surgery
Related Links'Scarring more painful than original illness'
A surgical spray gel that may have left hundreds of New Zealand women with painful internal scarring and fertility problems has been modified but doctors have not been told why.
Wellington gynaecologist Hanifa Koya, who first raised concerns about Confluent SprayGel in 2005, accuses the manufacturer of evading its responsibility toward "millions of women" worldwide who have been potentially injured by the gel.
The blue gel renamed SprayShield was supposed to prevent scarring during gynaecological surgery, but left some women with their reproductive organs "super-glued" together.
Up to 1200 New Zealand women were treated with the gel between 2004 and 2008.
Mrs Koya has learned that Covidien, which manufactures and distributes the gel, has replaced the suspect dye, methylene blue, with a vegetable dye. "The fact they withdrew it voluntarily suggests they know there was something wrong with it."
She began using the gel in October 2002, but stopped in April 2006 after her rate of repeat keyhole laparoscopies went from under 2 per cent to 10 per cent. Since switching to an alternative product, she has not repeated any laparoscopies, but patients were still returning from four years ago with "sheets of scarring".
She complained to American manufacturer Confluent Surgical and wrote repeatedly to MedSafe the Government's drug safety agency and professional bodies asking for action, but says she was stonewalled.
Medsafe investigated but accepted the manufacturers' assurances that the product was safe and that clinical trials were continuing.
"[But] methylene blue has never been tested on humans and the gel has never been approved for use in the United States," Mrs Koya said.
At the World Congress on Endometriosis in Melbourne last year, Mrs Koya was appalled to meet other specialists who had stopped using the gel because of complications.
ACC has not accepted any claims by victims for treatment injuries. Most of her patients' repeat operations which cost between $6000 and $12,000 have been covered by insurance, and she has waived her own fee for those with partial cover.
"That's a huge cost to the health system, it leads to increased insurance premiums and makes it harder for people to have their claims accepted. Ultimately it's patients who pay the price."
Health Minister Tony Ryall declined to be interviewed, referring comment to Medsafe.
Medsafe group manager Stewart Jessamine said because the gel was classified as a medical device under the Medicines Act rather than a drug, the legislation did not allow Medsafe to assess its safety or efficacy before it entered the market.
"However ... it has been assessed to very high standards by medical device regulatory authorities in Europe and Australia."
Some studies had showed increased rates of complications, including those described by Mrs Koya, he said. "However, there was no evidence that the rate of adverse effects was significantly different from that expected historically."
TIMELINE
2001: American-made Confluent SprayGel approved for use in Europe and subsequently Australia and New Zealand but not the United States.
OCTOBER 2002: Wellington gynaecologist Hanifa Koya begins using the gel.
2005: Mrs Koya first notices patients coming for repeat surgery and contacts the company, which tells her the product is being monitored in clinical trials.
APRIL 2006: Mrs Koya stops using the gel because of ongoing concerns. She alerts the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Centre for Adverse Reaction Monitoring. Both refer her to Medsafe, the Government's drug-safety body.
FEBRUARY 2007: Mrs Koya complains to Medsafe.
NOVEMBER 2007: After reviewing international literature, Medsafe finds some reports of complications similar to those described by Mrs Koya. It asks the company include "additional precautions" on packaging but says the product is still safe.
DECEMBER 2007: Mrs Koya writes to the college again with her concerns.
JANUARY 2008: The college says Medsafe appears to have investigated the issue thoroughly.
FEBRUARY 2008: An affected patient talks to The Dominion Post and Mrs Koya speaks publicly about her concerns.
APRIL 2008: Mrs Koya writes to Medical Assurance Committee of the college.
JUNE 2008: Pharmaceutical company Covidien Tyco takes over distributing the gel in New Zealand from Intermed Medical.
AUGUST 2008: Mrs Koya writes to the health and disability commissioner, but is told the matter is outside the commission's jurisdiction.
OCTOBER 2008: Covidien relaunches the product as SprayShield Adhesion Barrier, which uses a vegetable dye instead of chemical dye methylene blue. The gel is available in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand but still not approved for use in the US.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2480461/Scarring-more-painful-than-original-illness
NATALIE SLADE/Dominion Post
SCARRED: Carla Gardiner had to have a four-hour operation to remove the scar tissue caused by anti-scarring gel during her initial surgery
Related Links'Scarring more painful than original illness'
A surgical spray gel that may have left hundreds of New Zealand women with painful internal scarring and fertility problems has been modified but doctors have not been told why.
Wellington gynaecologist Hanifa Koya, who first raised concerns about Confluent SprayGel in 2005, accuses the manufacturer of evading its responsibility toward "millions of women" worldwide who have been potentially injured by the gel.
The blue gel renamed SprayShield was supposed to prevent scarring during gynaecological surgery, but left some women with their reproductive organs "super-glued" together.
Up to 1200 New Zealand women were treated with the gel between 2004 and 2008.
Mrs Koya has learned that Covidien, which manufactures and distributes the gel, has replaced the suspect dye, methylene blue, with a vegetable dye. "The fact they withdrew it voluntarily suggests they know there was something wrong with it."
She began using the gel in October 2002, but stopped in April 2006 after her rate of repeat keyhole laparoscopies went from under 2 per cent to 10 per cent. Since switching to an alternative product, she has not repeated any laparoscopies, but patients were still returning from four years ago with "sheets of scarring".
She complained to American manufacturer Confluent Surgical and wrote repeatedly to MedSafe the Government's drug safety agency and professional bodies asking for action, but says she was stonewalled.
Medsafe investigated but accepted the manufacturers' assurances that the product was safe and that clinical trials were continuing.
"[But] methylene blue has never been tested on humans and the gel has never been approved for use in the United States," Mrs Koya said.
At the World Congress on Endometriosis in Melbourne last year, Mrs Koya was appalled to meet other specialists who had stopped using the gel because of complications.
ACC has not accepted any claims by victims for treatment injuries. Most of her patients' repeat operations which cost between $6000 and $12,000 have been covered by insurance, and she has waived her own fee for those with partial cover.
"That's a huge cost to the health system, it leads to increased insurance premiums and makes it harder for people to have their claims accepted. Ultimately it's patients who pay the price."
Health Minister Tony Ryall declined to be interviewed, referring comment to Medsafe.
Medsafe group manager Stewart Jessamine said because the gel was classified as a medical device under the Medicines Act rather than a drug, the legislation did not allow Medsafe to assess its safety or efficacy before it entered the market.
"However ... it has been assessed to very high standards by medical device regulatory authorities in Europe and Australia."
Some studies had showed increased rates of complications, including those described by Mrs Koya, he said. "However, there was no evidence that the rate of adverse effects was significantly different from that expected historically."
TIMELINE
2001: American-made Confluent SprayGel approved for use in Europe and subsequently Australia and New Zealand but not the United States.
OCTOBER 2002: Wellington gynaecologist Hanifa Koya begins using the gel.
2005: Mrs Koya first notices patients coming for repeat surgery and contacts the company, which tells her the product is being monitored in clinical trials.
APRIL 2006: Mrs Koya stops using the gel because of ongoing concerns. She alerts the College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Centre for Adverse Reaction Monitoring. Both refer her to Medsafe, the Government's drug-safety body.
FEBRUARY 2007: Mrs Koya complains to Medsafe.
NOVEMBER 2007: After reviewing international literature, Medsafe finds some reports of complications similar to those described by Mrs Koya. It asks the company include "additional precautions" on packaging but says the product is still safe.
DECEMBER 2007: Mrs Koya writes to the college again with her concerns.
JANUARY 2008: The college says Medsafe appears to have investigated the issue thoroughly.
FEBRUARY 2008: An affected patient talks to The Dominion Post and Mrs Koya speaks publicly about her concerns.
APRIL 2008: Mrs Koya writes to Medical Assurance Committee of the college.
JUNE 2008: Pharmaceutical company Covidien Tyco takes over distributing the gel in New Zealand from Intermed Medical.
AUGUST 2008: Mrs Koya writes to the health and disability commissioner, but is told the matter is outside the commission's jurisdiction.
OCTOBER 2008: Covidien relaunches the product as SprayShield Adhesion Barrier, which uses a vegetable dye instead of chemical dye methylene blue. The gel is available in Europe, the Middle East, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand but still not approved for use in the US.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2480461/Scarring-more-painful-than-original-illness
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Adhesion Barrier return on investment
INVESTORS BEWARE!
As IHRT contemplates the desperation of consumers to have adhesion barriers provided in their surgeries and industries willingness to provide them, we are disheartened.
Patients aware of adhesion barriers or indeed adhesions are a slim minority.
Adhesion Barrier Market to Skyrocket to Over $550 Million by 2013PR Newswire (press release), NY - Feb 2, 20092 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research Group's (MRG's) US Markets for Surgical Hemostats, Internal Tissue Sealants, and Adhesion Barriers 2009 ...
As we reflect on this headline, one wonders where this number comes from?
IHRT then looks at the source of this press release.
IRONICALLY, Millennium Research Group is based in Waltham, MA, home of Confluent SprayGel and SprayShield !
If an effective adhesion barrier were found and put into use….the number would be enormous!
Here is an example of a guess on what that number might truly be.
_____
Cesarean Fact Sheet - Childbirth.org
Some facts about cesarean sections from Childbirth.org. ... The latest statistics indicate that 967000 cesareans were performed in the US in 1989. ...www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
_______
Lets say each of these c-sections had and adhesion barrier applied at the cost of $200.00 per procedure. We feel that this would be a very conservative estimate. The cost would be $193,400,000 for just one procedure in which the number of c-section has increased dramatically since this statistic was reported…
Take the history of Spraygel to it’s current incarnation as SprayShield TM.
All IHRT can think to say is, “return on investment”.
Here is an example to see.
_____
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Falling apart over Omrix
When I added Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:OMRI) to my portfolio, tracked by "Globes", I noted that it was a profitable biotechnological company in a most interesting niche - biosurgical sealants for the prevention of hemostasis in surgery - and that it was not an all or nothing company, like Pharmos Corp. (Nasdaq: PARSD), for example, where one failed trial can wipe almost an entire investment.
_____________
The founder of Confluent Surgical knew his product would not pass FDA standards so the product was taken out of clinical trials….
Somehow, with fraudulent information SprayGel got it’s CE mark and was used throughout the world as an anti-adhesion barrier. Those in the United States remained safe.
IHRT was founded by the victims of ongoing study of Spraygel until we realized we were being experimented on and paying for the pleasure. In of all places Germany!
The gig was up and Confluent was sold to Tyco which was then sold to Covidien.
As IHRT continues to watch Covidiens stocks fall we become more concerned about them seeking a quick return on their investment!
_____
Top of Form
COV (Common Stock)
Exchange
NYSE(US Dollar)
Price
$34.46
Change (%)
0.69 (1.96%)
Volume
1,019,293
As of 02/26/09 11:23 a.m. ETMinimum 20 minute delay
Bottom of Form
http://investor.covidien.com/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=207592&p=irol-alerts
_____
It looks like Covidien may have learned to save money by moving it all offshore just as Confluent did.
Is it the old lets see if it works ON THEM and then go to the FDA?
The same scenario is happening again with of all people, Kruschinski and Mettler. In of all places Germany!
http://www.or-live.com/covidien/2457/Pre-clinical%20Data.pdf
Kruschinski D, Homburg S, D’Souza F, Campbell P, Reich H.
Adhesiolysis in severe and reccurent cases of adhesions related
disorder (ARD) - a novel approach utilizing lift (gasless)
laparoscopy and SprayGel™ adhesion barrier. Surg Technol Int.
2006;15:131-9.
Mettler L, Audebert A, Lehmann-Willenbrock E, Schive-Peterhansl
K, Jacobs VR. A randomized, prospective, controlled,
multicenter clinical trial of a sprayable, site-specific adhesion
barrier system in patients undergoing
______
Somehow the bogus science in the above studies are being used once again to tout a product and way after the fact are we learning how the bogus studies of SprayGel made thing worse for us for all of us. Victims of this fraud would tell you there are things worse than death....
It is IHRT’s opinion that until there are actually surgeons learned enough to perform an adhesiolysis that needs no barrier, these products are just a panacea…
Skill is what’s needed and compensation for the time it takes to perform a successful adhesiolyis.
Until then we fell everyone’s just kidding themselves and no product can compensate for, quick or ultra conservative surgery.
So think hard and do your research, be careful of patients who claim this is the best or only way.
_____
...and then you have Karen Steward!!!! Beware!
How many doctors (surgeons) encourage those who are sick to contact his former patients? No doubt, Dr. Kruschinski has raised the bar of excellence when it comes to "treating" a patient. See: Patient List
Thanks Dr. Kruschinski. Our daughter has regained her life due to your brilliance, commitment and compassion for those who suffer from this dread disorder.
http://www.adhesionpain.net/2008/09/five-yearsthank.html
This is what IHRT calls “Harvesting” a dreadful practice that can lead a person to an unwanted intervention.
_____
Remember that these biomedical companies and surgeons are expecting a return on their investments and patients are a dime a dozen. We must remember always “people are willing to profit from others pain”. Our capitulation to the adhesion barrier craze just seems to make us “a return on investment”
As IHRT contemplates the desperation of consumers to have adhesion barriers provided in their surgeries and industries willingness to provide them, we are disheartened.
Patients aware of adhesion barriers or indeed adhesions are a slim minority.
Adhesion Barrier Market to Skyrocket to Over $550 Million by 2013PR Newswire (press release), NY - Feb 2, 20092 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Millennium Research Group's (MRG's) US Markets for Surgical Hemostats, Internal Tissue Sealants, and Adhesion Barriers 2009 ...
As we reflect on this headline, one wonders where this number comes from?
IHRT then looks at the source of this press release.
IRONICALLY, Millennium Research Group is based in Waltham, MA, home of Confluent SprayGel and SprayShield !
If an effective adhesion barrier were found and put into use….the number would be enormous!
Here is an example of a guess on what that number might truly be.
_____
Cesarean Fact Sheet - Childbirth.org
Some facts about cesarean sections from Childbirth.org. ... The latest statistics indicate that 967000 cesareans were performed in the US in 1989. ...www.childbirth.org/section/CSFact.html - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
_______
Lets say each of these c-sections had and adhesion barrier applied at the cost of $200.00 per procedure. We feel that this would be a very conservative estimate. The cost would be $193,400,000 for just one procedure in which the number of c-section has increased dramatically since this statistic was reported…
Take the history of Spraygel to it’s current incarnation as SprayShield TM.
All IHRT can think to say is, “return on investment”.
Here is an example to see.
_____
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Falling apart over Omrix
When I added Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (Nasdaq:OMRI) to my portfolio, tracked by "Globes", I noted that it was a profitable biotechnological company in a most interesting niche - biosurgical sealants for the prevention of hemostasis in surgery - and that it was not an all or nothing company, like Pharmos Corp. (Nasdaq: PARSD), for example, where one failed trial can wipe almost an entire investment.
_____________
The founder of Confluent Surgical knew his product would not pass FDA standards so the product was taken out of clinical trials….
Somehow, with fraudulent information SprayGel got it’s CE mark and was used throughout the world as an anti-adhesion barrier. Those in the United States remained safe.
IHRT was founded by the victims of ongoing study of Spraygel until we realized we were being experimented on and paying for the pleasure. In of all places Germany!
The gig was up and Confluent was sold to Tyco which was then sold to Covidien.
As IHRT continues to watch Covidiens stocks fall we become more concerned about them seeking a quick return on their investment!
_____
Top of Form
COV (Common Stock)
Exchange
NYSE(US Dollar)
Price
$34.46
Change (%)
0.69 (1.96%)
Volume
1,019,293
As of 02/26/09 11:23 a.m. ETMinimum 20 minute delay
Bottom of Form
http://investor.covidien.com/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=207592&p=irol-alerts
_____
It looks like Covidien may have learned to save money by moving it all offshore just as Confluent did.
Is it the old lets see if it works ON THEM and then go to the FDA?
The same scenario is happening again with of all people, Kruschinski and Mettler. In of all places Germany!
http://www.or-live.com/covidien/2457/Pre-clinical%20Data.pdf
Kruschinski D, Homburg S, D’Souza F, Campbell P, Reich H.
Adhesiolysis in severe and reccurent cases of adhesions related
disorder (ARD) - a novel approach utilizing lift (gasless)
laparoscopy and SprayGel™ adhesion barrier. Surg Technol Int.
2006;15:131-9.
Mettler L, Audebert A, Lehmann-Willenbrock E, Schive-Peterhansl
K, Jacobs VR. A randomized, prospective, controlled,
multicenter clinical trial of a sprayable, site-specific adhesion
barrier system in patients undergoing
______
Somehow the bogus science in the above studies are being used once again to tout a product and way after the fact are we learning how the bogus studies of SprayGel made thing worse for us for all of us. Victims of this fraud would tell you there are things worse than death....
It is IHRT’s opinion that until there are actually surgeons learned enough to perform an adhesiolysis that needs no barrier, these products are just a panacea…
Skill is what’s needed and compensation for the time it takes to perform a successful adhesiolyis.
Until then we fell everyone’s just kidding themselves and no product can compensate for, quick or ultra conservative surgery.
So think hard and do your research, be careful of patients who claim this is the best or only way.
_____
...and then you have Karen Steward!!!! Beware!
How many doctors (surgeons) encourage those who are sick to contact his former patients? No doubt, Dr. Kruschinski has raised the bar of excellence when it comes to "treating" a patient. See: Patient List
Thanks Dr. Kruschinski. Our daughter has regained her life due to your brilliance, commitment and compassion for those who suffer from this dread disorder.
http://www.adhesionpain.net/2008/09/five-yearsthank.html
This is what IHRT calls “Harvesting” a dreadful practice that can lead a person to an unwanted intervention.
_____
Remember that these biomedical companies and surgeons are expecting a return on their investments and patients are a dime a dozen. We must remember always “people are willing to profit from others pain”. Our capitulation to the adhesion barrier craze just seems to make us “a return on investment”
Saturday, February 14, 2009
No health insurance? Get help here
From CNN
Click below for full story.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/ep.health.insurance.help/index.html
Negotiating with doctors and hospitals is just one thing you have to learn how to do when your insurance disappears, says Steve Luptak, executive director of an assistance group called Healthcare Advocacy. "I've had so many people who've just been laid off coming to me for help because they've lost their insurance. They're so stressed, they're so depressed, they feel like it's the end of the world," he says. "But there are things you can do. It's not a futile situation," he says. Watch for more tips for the uninsured »
If you want to try to get new, affordable insurance, or find programs that offer you financial help for doctor's visits, prescription drugs and more, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get good advice
When you get laid off and lose your health insurance, you may need someone in your corner. Several places specialize in helping people find new, affordable insurance and free care:
Healthcare Advocacy
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Services Incorporated
Step 2: Search for affordable insurance
With advice from experts at the groups above, begin your search for affordable insurance. Start with COBRA, which means you continue with your employer's insurance, except now you're paying the entire premium on your own. You can learn about COBRA at the Department of Labor's Web site.
If you can't afford to go on COBRA, you're in good company; a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that only nine percent of people who are offered COBRA actually use it. Sometimes it's less expensive to buy your own insurance policy rather than going on COBRA. You can compare prices at ehealthinsurance.com.
Step 3: Get your child on SCHIP
Even if you have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, your children may qualify for SCHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Here's a state-by-state directory of SCHIP programs.
There are other government programs, too. Your entire family may qualify for insurance from a state high-risk pool if you live in a state that has one.
If you think you might quality for Medicaid, see this state-by-state Medicaid directory.
Step 4: Get help with prescription drugs
If you can't afford health insurance -- or if your insurance doesn't include good prescription drug benefits -- look for $4 generic drugs at many major supermarkets and drug stores. Also, your state may offer a discount drug program (after you click, scroll down to see Table 2). You can also check these private groups that offer prescription assistance.
HealthWell Foundation
FamilyWize discount drug card
Needy Meds
Rx Assist
Rx Hope
Chronic Disease Fund
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Access Project
Step 5: Find financial assistance for your particular disease
Many diseases have specific foundations that offer financial assistance.
Heart Disease: Heart Support of America
Kidney Disease: American Kidney Fund
HIV/AIDS: The Access Project
Hepatitis: The Access Project
Cancer: see this Empowered Patient for a list of services
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder, Huntington's Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Caring Voice Coalition
Other rare diseases: National Organization for Rare Diseases
Vision Care: EyeCare America and Vision USA
Step 6: Find free clinics
Federally funded health centers offer free care in both urban and rural areas. Put in your address here and find one near you.
Click below for full story.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/02/12/ep.health.insurance.help/index.html
Negotiating with doctors and hospitals is just one thing you have to learn how to do when your insurance disappears, says Steve Luptak, executive director of an assistance group called Healthcare Advocacy. "I've had so many people who've just been laid off coming to me for help because they've lost their insurance. They're so stressed, they're so depressed, they feel like it's the end of the world," he says. "But there are things you can do. It's not a futile situation," he says. Watch for more tips for the uninsured »
If you want to try to get new, affordable insurance, or find programs that offer you financial help for doctor's visits, prescription drugs and more, follow these steps:
Step 1: Get good advice
When you get laid off and lose your health insurance, you may need someone in your corner. Several places specialize in helping people find new, affordable insurance and free care:
Healthcare Advocacy
Patient Advocate Foundation
Patient Services Incorporated
Step 2: Search for affordable insurance
With advice from experts at the groups above, begin your search for affordable insurance. Start with COBRA, which means you continue with your employer's insurance, except now you're paying the entire premium on your own. You can learn about COBRA at the Department of Labor's Web site.
If you can't afford to go on COBRA, you're in good company; a recent study by the Commonwealth Fund found that only nine percent of people who are offered COBRA actually use it. Sometimes it's less expensive to buy your own insurance policy rather than going on COBRA. You can compare prices at ehealthinsurance.com.
Step 3: Get your child on SCHIP
Even if you have too much money to qualify for Medicaid, your children may qualify for SCHIP, the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Here's a state-by-state directory of SCHIP programs.
There are other government programs, too. Your entire family may qualify for insurance from a state high-risk pool if you live in a state that has one.
If you think you might quality for Medicaid, see this state-by-state Medicaid directory.
Step 4: Get help with prescription drugs
If you can't afford health insurance -- or if your insurance doesn't include good prescription drug benefits -- look for $4 generic drugs at many major supermarkets and drug stores. Also, your state may offer a discount drug program (after you click, scroll down to see Table 2). You can also check these private groups that offer prescription assistance.
HealthWell Foundation
FamilyWize discount drug card
Needy Meds
Rx Assist
Rx Hope
Chronic Disease Fund
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
The Access Project
Step 5: Find financial assistance for your particular disease
Many diseases have specific foundations that offer financial assistance.
Heart Disease: Heart Support of America
Kidney Disease: American Kidney Fund
HIV/AIDS: The Access Project
Hepatitis: The Access Project
Cancer: see this Empowered Patient for a list of services
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, Chronic Granulomatous Disorder, Huntington's Disease, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Caring Voice Coalition
Other rare diseases: National Organization for Rare Diseases
Vision Care: EyeCare America and Vision USA
Step 6: Find free clinics
Federally funded health centers offer free care in both urban and rural areas. Put in your address here and find one near you.
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