Late Tuesday evening PacifiCare caved.
That's right, PacifiCare was shamed by you and the immense outpouring of citizen outrage and activism, into authorizing the medically necessary treatment for Nick Colombo.
Here's a brief clip from the demonstration yesterday at the headquarters of PacifiCare in Cypress, California.
As you read this, keep in mind the power of citizen outrage and citizen activism. I've been told in several emails that our power is being carefully scrutinized by the insurance industry, they're even getting rather nervous.
The sleeping giant American people are finally waking up.
I'd like you to meet Nick Colombo, the young man all of you so generously helped.
Before Daily Kos and the California Nurses became involved, the Colombo Family, like so many other American familes, was trying to raise money for his treatment with cake sales, through their church, and with small donations. Despite being insured, this is what the family was planning in order to pay for the treatment Nick's insurer PacifiCare was denying.
Cake sales, raffles, and begging for contributions is the status quo in the United States--even for insured Americans. This is some depraved way to run a healthcare system.
Thankfully, netroots activism and the harsh media glare, forced PacifiCare to give-in and reluctantly approve the treatment.
I'd like to share the comment of Nick's very grateful brother, Ricky Colombo. I just found out Ricky is a new and great Kossack.
This was the comment Ricky Colombo posted in the original diary.
You all are great
I am Nick Colombo's Older brother and I have heard how all of you guys flooded PacifiCare with calls and questions. Thank you so much for your support. If you didn't hear, PacifiCare is giving us the money for the treatment. I assume they didn't like all the calls :-)...becuase now they find the proceedure "medically necessary." There was press from every news station there along with CNA (California Nurses Assosiation). The press really put the pressure on this morning and it was great. We went there to make sure that PacifiCare will back us up with what they said and for the millions of other Americans suffering from poor healthcare situations. It is not right that we have to go through a business to get a proceedure. Change is happening, and you guys helped start it :-).
I couldn't have done it without all your guys help. I will never know how to thank you enough :-).
Peace and Love,
Ricky Colombo
by rcolombo on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 06:48:21 PM PDT
I also want to mention that I've been advised from a very reliable source that we're likely being invaded and monitored by insurance industry troublemakers, so please be on the lookout for this. Anyone here long enough to remember ahipfactchecker?
Here's the message I received, for obvious reasons I'm keeping the identity of the writer anonymous.
It sure looks to me like someone like AHIP is watching Eve's diaries and has an organized plan to attack them. There were two posters in the comments who had way more time and energy for the fight than anyone would have who was not being paid to do it and a way more right point of view than I'm used to seeing on Kos.