Remember the name Patsy Bates. It should be the rallying cry to end all that is wrong with the repubican culture of life, death, hate, and corporate greed.
Patsy Bates, 52, a hairdresser from Lakewood, had been left with more than $129,000 in unpaid medical bills when Health Net Inc. canceled her policy in 2004.
Health Net, Inc of California has been ordered to pay $8.4 million in punitive damages for cancelling a woman's policy while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
I couldn't even imagine how she felt after being persuaded to switch policies to Health Net based on cost savings for the policy.
There's a little bit more...
A hairdresser. With $129,000 in medical bills.
After her insurance comapny cancelled her policy -- for using it.
Cancer is the number two cause of death for women in the US and breast cancer is the second most-common form of cancer.
They led her to believe she could save money and then cacelled her when her life was in danger.
And not only did Health Net get its dirty grimy paws slapped with punitive damages, but also with damages for emotional distress.
Unfortunately, I don't think it's enough. but this provides me a little bit of hope:
Bates' attorney William Shernoff said he wanted other insurers to take notice of the award.
The health indistry is broken and it needs to be fixed -- and that won't happen simply by covering everyone. It's more complex than that.
NOTE: I am no NYCeve. I cannot do justice to this topic in the same manner.
NOTE: Two similar and very good diaries by DWG and The Bagof Health and Politics are getting little to no traction on this. Please give them both a tip and a rec.