Denial of service? Check. Turning people away? Check. Rationing of mammograms? Check. Waiting lists? Check. Government in charge? Check. Poor Turned away from cancer screenings? Check
As the economy falters and more people go without health insurance, lowincome women in at least 20 states are being turned away or put on long waiting lists for free cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.
In the unofficial survey of programs for July 2008 through April 2009, the organization found that state budget strains are forcing some programs to reject people who would otherwise qualify for free mammograms and Pap smears. Just how many are turned away isn’t known; in some cases, the women are screened through other programs or referred to different providers.
“I cried and I panicked,” said Erin LaBarge, 47. This would have been her third straight year receiving a free mammogram through the screening program in St. Lawrence County. But the Norwood, N.Y., resident was told she couldn’t get her free mammogram this year because there isn’t enough money and she’s not old enough.
New York used to screen women of all ages, but this year the budget crunch has forced them to focus on those considered at highest risk and exclude women under 50.
Aaaaaaaaand this is what we have seen happen time and time again in those countries with government run health care. Rather than looking at real market solutions to making health insurance affordable, when we put government in charge, things go wrong. Because we all know that government is extremely responsible with the money they take at the barrel of a jail cell, right?
Gee, do you think Erin LaBarge, 47, would now call this an Obama Death Panel decision?