Conspicuously absent from the current health care reform debate are the patients and families most directly impacted by our health care system. As politicians argue about how many millions of people may or may not be insured, they are missing the point of why we need action now.
We at the American Cancer Society believe it's time to look more closely at the people behind the numbers and ask that you put yourself in their shoes.
These are people like Craig Lemke of Fond du Lac. Craig, 35, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last September, not long after he was laid off from his manufacturing job. Unemployed, uninsured and fighting cancer, Lemke was out of options. He moved in with his parents, fought his illness and now is fighting to free himself from thousands of dollars of medical bills. Craig has wiped out his life savings and wonders, "How am I ever going to get out of this hole when I can't find a full-time job?"
Craig is not alone. According to a survey conducted for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), fully 1 in 5 cancer patients report using all or most of their life savings fighting the disease and 1 in 4 report skipping or delaying cancer care in the past year because of cost. This is exactly what worries Roslyn Thony of Rio.
Thony, 60, has been fighting stage III Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma since January. Aggressive chemotherapy has not killed the cancer, and now Thony must undergo a bone marrow transplant or risk having the cancer kill her. The problem is a bone marrow transplant will leave her unable to work for six months, likely causing her to lose her job and her insurance. With no income, no insurance and massive medical bills, Thony worries about her and her husband's future.
"I wonder if I live, will we be in worse condition than if I die?"
This is a question no one in our country should have to ask, and is why the American Cancer Society believes strongly that winning the war on cancer depends on expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
Society research shows that people with no insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer and to die from the disease than those with insurance.
Twenty-five million Americans with insurance are estimated to be underinsured, meaning their insurance is inadequate for cancer care.
And even when a cancer patient becomes a survivor, many are denied or charged excessive amounts for their insurance because of their "pre-existing" condition.
We're not suggesting the entire system be designed solely for cancer patients. However, the system obviously isn't working for everyone - especially those who need it the most.
Let's refocus this debate and start by looking at Craig and Roslyn and asking what can be done to make sure you or the people you love don't face a similar situation.
We need action now, not later, on health reform.
- Jari Johnston-Allen is chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division.
We at the American Cancer Society believe it's time to look more closely at the people behind the numbers and ask that you put yourself in their shoes.
These are people like Craig Lemke of Fond du Lac. Craig, 35, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last September, not long after he was laid off from his manufacturing job. Unemployed, uninsured and fighting cancer, Lemke was out of options. He moved in with his parents, fought his illness and now is fighting to free himself from thousands of dollars of medical bills. Craig has wiped out his life savings and wonders, "How am I ever going to get out of this hole when I can't find a full-time job?"
Craig is not alone. According to a survey conducted for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), fully 1 in 5 cancer patients report using all or most of their life savings fighting the disease and 1 in 4 report skipping or delaying cancer care in the past year because of cost. This is exactly what worries Roslyn Thony of Rio.
Thony, 60, has been fighting stage III Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma since January. Aggressive chemotherapy has not killed the cancer, and now Thony must undergo a bone marrow transplant or risk having the cancer kill her. The problem is a bone marrow transplant will leave her unable to work for six months, likely causing her to lose her job and her insurance. With no income, no insurance and massive medical bills, Thony worries about her and her husband's future.
"I wonder if I live, will we be in worse condition than if I die?"
This is a question no one in our country should have to ask, and is why the American Cancer Society believes strongly that winning the war on cancer depends on expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.
Society research shows that people with no insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage cancer and to die from the disease than those with insurance.
Twenty-five million Americans with insurance are estimated to be underinsured, meaning their insurance is inadequate for cancer care.
And even when a cancer patient becomes a survivor, many are denied or charged excessive amounts for their insurance because of their "pre-existing" condition.
We're not suggesting the entire system be designed solely for cancer patients. However, the system obviously isn't working for everyone - especially those who need it the most.
Let's refocus this debate and start by looking at Craig and Roslyn and asking what can be done to make sure you or the people you love don't face a similar situation.
We need action now, not later, on health reform.
- Jari Johnston-Allen is chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, Midwest Division.
