My best friend died two days before Christmas because her arthritis meds were denied by her insurance company

Carolyn
Lincolnville, Me
Heathcare Status: Employer Insured

My best friend had rheumatoid arthritis. She managed well on embrel until her insurance forced her to switch to IV meds. Her veins could not tolerate the IV meds, so she had a port implanted. This resulted in a staph resistant systemic infection within a week. She never recovered, but spent the next several months in hospitals and nursing homes. She had an ileostomy, a feeding tube, a vent, and open heart surgery. She had over 100 pounds of fluid after her kidneys and liver shut down. She died at the age of 54, two days before Christmas. She was a Registered Nurse who was killed by poor health care. The United States prefers to save dollars on prevention and ends up spending millions on useless treatment. I left nursing 2 years ago because I can't stand to be a part of it. It should be illegal to make money off of the sick. It certainly is unethical.

Submitted on January 5, 2008 - 11:38am.