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Arizona Medicaid's 'Inhumane' Policy Depriving Hep C Patients Liver Transplant
A controversial new policy by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System depriving hepatitis C patients coverage for liver transplants is effectively a death sentence that, left unchecked, could have far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans afflicted with chronic viral hepatitis, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) said today. The new coverage exclusion governing liver transplants took effect Friday as part of broader Medicaid coverage changes made by the state of Arizona in response to budgetary pressures.
"The Arizona Medicaid program's decision to deprive hepatitis C patients coverage for liver transplants is inhumane and will have devastating consequences for Arizona's Medicaid beneficiaries," said Ms. Lorren Sandt, NVHR Chair and Executive Director of Caring Ambassadors Program, based in Portland, Oregon . "NVHR recognizes that both public and private health care programs are struggling with the burden of rising costs and a challenging economic environment. However, the cruel costs associated with Arizona's Medicaid coverage changes do not appear to be based on sound science and far exceed any supposed benefit."
"The standard of care for centers and practitioners is to offer liver transplants to patients with hepatitis C. All insurance providers – including state Medicaid programs – need to provide coverage for what is the standard of care. With new curative therapies on the horizon, it is imperative not to discriminate against patients with hepatitis C when selecting patients for a liver transplant," said Robert G. Gish, M.D., Co-Director Center for Hepatobiliary Disease and Abdominal Transplantation (CHAT), University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Arizona Medicaid's transplant coverage exclusion is the first of its kind in the nation for hepatitis C patients. NVHR is deeply troubled that the new Medicaid coverage exclusion inflicts catastrophic consequences that go far beyond any supposed savings. According to news reports, Arizona faces a budgetary shortfall this year of as much as $825 million. The entire package of Medicaid benefit changes, including the hepatitis C liver transplant exclusion, is expected to yield about $5 million in savings – or about 1/2 of one percent of the projected budgetary shortfall.
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have been infected with chronic viral hepatitis B or C – and with most unaware of their infection, millions are at risk of developing life-threatening complications, especially African Americans and Asian Americans. Without detection and prompt treatment, chronic viral hepatitis leads to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure.
NVHR is a coalition of more than 170 public, private, and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity, and mortality from chronic viral hepatitis that afflicts more than 5 million Americans. www.nvhr.org
SOURCE National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503002&Itemid=29
"The Arizona Medicaid program's decision to deprive hepatitis C patients coverage for liver transplants is inhumane and will have devastating consequences for Arizona's Medicaid beneficiaries," said Ms. Lorren Sandt, NVHR Chair and Executive Director of Caring Ambassadors Program, based in Portland, Oregon . "NVHR recognizes that both public and private health care programs are struggling with the burden of rising costs and a challenging economic environment. However, the cruel costs associated with Arizona's Medicaid coverage changes do not appear to be based on sound science and far exceed any supposed benefit."
"The standard of care for centers and practitioners is to offer liver transplants to patients with hepatitis C. All insurance providers – including state Medicaid programs – need to provide coverage for what is the standard of care. With new curative therapies on the horizon, it is imperative not to discriminate against patients with hepatitis C when selecting patients for a liver transplant," said Robert G. Gish, M.D., Co-Director Center for Hepatobiliary Disease and Abdominal Transplantation (CHAT), University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
Arizona Medicaid's transplant coverage exclusion is the first of its kind in the nation for hepatitis C patients. NVHR is deeply troubled that the new Medicaid coverage exclusion inflicts catastrophic consequences that go far beyond any supposed savings. According to news reports, Arizona faces a budgetary shortfall this year of as much as $825 million. The entire package of Medicaid benefit changes, including the hepatitis C liver transplant exclusion, is expected to yield about $5 million in savings – or about 1/2 of one percent of the projected budgetary shortfall.
An estimated 5.3 million Americans have been infected with chronic viral hepatitis B or C – and with most unaware of their infection, millions are at risk of developing life-threatening complications, especially African Americans and Asian Americans. Without detection and prompt treatment, chronic viral hepatitis leads to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure.
NVHR is a coalition of more than 170 public, private, and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity, and mortality from chronic viral hepatitis that afflicts more than 5 million Americans. www.nvhr.org
SOURCE National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=503002&Itemid=29
Since some of my family lives in Arizona, I'm not surprised to hear of this latest example from the land of the vapid.
If you want to live in a place with compassion and concern for humanity, skip Arizona.
If you want to live in a place with compassion and concern for humanity, skip Arizona.
I appreciate your thoughts Brent, and you're right nobody deserves
this.
Many thanks dear friend !
Love and Hugs
Elaine
this.
Many thanks dear friend !
Love and Hugs
Elaine
Elaine,
I found the blog. What a complete tool! I couldn't believe it. Guys like that make me really angry. You can support a free society without being a BWFDB.
I couldn't help but think of you and Nick when considering all the people who are infected "by other means", and reflecting on the suffering caused by HCV. Nobody deserves that.
I wrote him an angry response but then filed it. I do not want to have anything to do with him.
I found the blog. What a complete tool! I couldn't believe it. Guys like that make me really angry. You can support a free society without being a BWFDB.
I couldn't help but think of you and Nick when considering all the people who are infected "by other means", and reflecting on the suffering caused by HCV. Nobody deserves that.
I wrote him an angry response but then filed it. I do not want to have anything to do with him.
It's OK to clear your mind:)
Hector,
I've heard nothing so far:(
Hugs to all
Elaine
Hector,
I've heard nothing so far:(
Hugs to all
Elaine
I didn't see the blog, but I think I get the drift.
I am a former "Army Man" and would consider myself somewhat of a "Red Pill" person, but I hope you all here do not think that those who are not ...uh.. "progressives" all think like the aforementioned @$$whole blogger. I assure you it is not the case.
Regardless of how one feels about IV drug users, I would have to ask him, what about all the people who contracted the disease via other means? There are lots who contracted the disease from tainted blood in the 70's and 80's, not to mention the rather obvious, if unacknowledged, actions of Uncle Sam.
The current transplant criteria exclude persons for whom the benefit of a donor organ would be significantly reduced. Drug addicts and alcoholics are not considered as viable recipients because of this. I should point out also that people of advanced age, or with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, are also rejected unless/until their underlying issues can be remedies. What makes these exclusions different than the rants of "Former Army Man" is that they are based on sound medical evidence and not some prejudice from a mind so simple that it has to deal with people based on broad, simple stereotypes rather than exercising some critical thinking.
As far as those who are currently addicts, they are already refused a place on the transplant list, but there is no justification to deny one a transplant based on how the disease was contracted (as if you could ever be 100% certain about that anyway). In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that anyone would think that a person deserves HCV because they ever used IV drugs.
I know I am probably wasting my words here; like preaching to the choir. I just felt like clearing my mind a little.
I am a former "Army Man" and would consider myself somewhat of a "Red Pill" person, but I hope you all here do not think that those who are not ...uh.. "progressives" all think like the aforementioned @$$whole blogger. I assure you it is not the case.
Regardless of how one feels about IV drug users, I would have to ask him, what about all the people who contracted the disease via other means? There are lots who contracted the disease from tainted blood in the 70's and 80's, not to mention the rather obvious, if unacknowledged, actions of Uncle Sam.
The current transplant criteria exclude persons for whom the benefit of a donor organ would be significantly reduced. Drug addicts and alcoholics are not considered as viable recipients because of this. I should point out also that people of advanced age, or with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, are also rejected unless/until their underlying issues can be remedies. What makes these exclusions different than the rants of "Former Army Man" is that they are based on sound medical evidence and not some prejudice from a mind so simple that it has to deal with people based on broad, simple stereotypes rather than exercising some critical thinking.
As far as those who are currently addicts, they are already refused a place on the transplant list, but there is no justification to deny one a transplant based on how the disease was contracted (as if you could ever be 100% certain about that anyway). In all honesty, I find it hard to believe that anyone would think that a person deserves HCV because they ever used IV drugs.
I know I am probably wasting my words here; like preaching to the choir. I just felt like clearing my mind a little.
Elaine,
Let us know if you get any responses. It should be interesting.
Peace
Hectorsf
Let us know if you get any responses. It should be interesting.
Peace
Hectorsf
Thanks !
I just had to open my mouth and post on that
blog....I could not help myself !!!
Hugs
Elaine
I just had to open my mouth and post on that
blog....I could not help myself !!!
Hugs
Elaine
mike, Hector: That news made me steam, but that blog just made my blood boil over.
The blogger is surely 'former army' because even the military didn't have any use for him, he's such an imbecile. My husband was a Marine who was probably infected in boot camp, or possibly during any number of the times he was wounded and still helped his bleeding fellow soldiers to safety, or perhaps when he was med-evacked and earned his purple heart. His service to his country may still take his life even though the war was over 40 years ago. Estimates suggest that as many has 50% or more of combat veterans from the Vietnam era have hcv -- obviously no humanity, empathy or compassion from a state being run by ignorance and prejudice...
The blogger is surely 'former army' because even the military didn't have any use for him, he's such an imbecile. My husband was a Marine who was probably infected in boot camp, or possibly during any number of the times he was wounded and still helped his bleeding fellow soldiers to safety, or perhaps when he was med-evacked and earned his purple heart. His service to his country may still take his life even though the war was over 40 years ago. Estimates suggest that as many has 50% or more of combat veterans from the Vietnam era have hcv -- obviously no humanity, empathy or compassion from a state being run by ignorance and prejudice...
It says posted by John J. Ray (M.A.; Ph.D.). Hey he is a genius!!! Or at least a Dr. so he says.
Apparently he is a card carrying member of "stop the aclu". (Beating Them With Their Own Sickle And Hammer). You can read more of his enlightening articles on that web sight also.
Have a great day! Just say "No" to drugs. :)
Hectorsf
Apparently he is a card carrying member of "stop the aclu". (Beating Them With Their Own Sickle And Hammer). You can read more of his enlightening articles on that web sight also.
Have a great day! Just say "No" to drugs. :)
Hectorsf
Exactly !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hector...still waiting......I need that blog !! ? OK? PLEASE !! :)
Hector...still waiting......I need that blog !! ? OK? PLEASE !! :)
This guy is an a@@.
I don't have HCV either, my son did and I don't feel this way at all,
not one bit. ! He was really innocent .
No one should have this disease in the first place. No one knew about it
in the first place ! Alcohol, drugs or whatever, they should still be allowed
to be a candidate for a TP , no life is a waste. What the heck is wrong
with some people? ????? yes indeed I wish I could see this guy face
to face !!!
OH.....Hector....give me the name of this blog ! :) pretty please?
I don't have HCV either, my son did and I don't feel this way at all,
not one bit. ! He was really innocent .
No one should have this disease in the first place. No one knew about it
in the first place ! Alcohol, drugs or whatever, they should still be allowed
to be a candidate for a TP , no life is a waste. What the heck is wrong
with some people? ????? yes indeed I wish I could see this guy face
to face !!!
OH.....Hector....give me the name of this blog ! :) pretty please?
" As a former army man, I have no sympathy for self-inflicted injuries so I see no point in wasting rare organ donations on such people."
Oh Cheesuz, give me "f" ing break. Wonder if you'd feel that way if it was 'yo mamma' or better yet your child a-s-s-h-o-l-e.
Oh Cheesuz, give me "f" ing break. Wonder if you'd feel that way if it was 'yo mamma' or better yet your child a-s-s-h-o-l-e.
Yes, you have to laugh (or cry) at the reasoning.
I'm waiting for all these ...ummm "ladies and gentlemen" to "walk the talk" and give up THEIR health-care benefits so they can avoid "the dangers of government-run health insurance". Somehow I have the feeling I'll be waiting long after I get my transplant or die because I don't get it.
Also, I wonder if macho man is an organ donor since he says he is so concerned about wasting rare organ donations? I wouldn't count on that either.
Luckily geniuses like this are not running things...yet.
Cheers fellow druggie’s!
Hectorsf
I'm waiting for all these ...ummm "ladies and gentlemen" to "walk the talk" and give up THEIR health-care benefits so they can avoid "the dangers of government-run health insurance". Somehow I have the feeling I'll be waiting long after I get my transplant or die because I don't get it.
Also, I wonder if macho man is an organ donor since he says he is so concerned about wasting rare organ donations? I wouldn't count on that either.
Luckily geniuses like this are not running things...yet.
Cheers fellow druggie’s!
Hectorsf
He just thinks he is. Wait until he actually gets tested. Could be a whole other ballgame all of a sudden.
"As a former army man, I have no sympathy for self-inflicted injuries .........."
I seem to recall the Military infected a bunch of people with their mass inoculations.
I guess this Army guy was one of the lucky ones.
Mike
I seem to recall the Military infected a bunch of people with their mass inoculations.
I guess this Army guy was one of the lucky ones.
Mike
From a (no politics please) blog...
"But the one exclusion that is generating all the outrage is the refusal to transplant livers into carriers of Hep C. Hep C is of course the druggie’s disease. As a former army man, I have no sympathy for self-inflicted injuries so I see no point in wasting rare organ donations on such people. Note that the virus universally recurs after transplantation. It is the many cutbacks on care for ordinary decent people that illustrate the dangers of government-run health insurance".
I guess we are not ordinary, decent people?
Alcohol induced ESLD= A-okay. Drugs induced ESLD= bad! Bad! BAD!!!
This has been mandated by the State of Arizona in response to budgetary pressures it has nothing to due with government-run health insurance. But let's not confuse this enlightened soul with the facts.
Look on the bright side. If you destroy your liver with alcohol or an overdose of meds you can still get a liver transplant through Medicaid in Arizona. So drink up an enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The new transplant exclusions took effect Friday as part of broader Medicaid coverage changes mandated by the State of Arizona in response to budgetary pressures. (Arizona's Fiscal Year 2010 enacted budget directs AHCCCS to eliminate various medical and health services for adults.).
"In addition to eliminating most organ-transplant coverage, Arizona's Medicaid agency also is eliminating most dental care for adults as well as coverage of podiatrist services; insulin pumps; percussive vests; bone-anchored hearing aids; cochlear implants; orthotics; gastric bypass surgery; certain durable medical equipment; "well" medical checkups; some non-emergency medical transportation; microprocessor-controlled lower limbs and joints; and it is limiting outpatient physical therapy to 15 visits per contract year".
self-inflicted and conflicted
:)
Hectorsf
"But the one exclusion that is generating all the outrage is the refusal to transplant livers into carriers of Hep C. Hep C is of course the druggie’s disease. As a former army man, I have no sympathy for self-inflicted injuries so I see no point in wasting rare organ donations on such people. Note that the virus universally recurs after transplantation. It is the many cutbacks on care for ordinary decent people that illustrate the dangers of government-run health insurance".
I guess we are not ordinary, decent people?
Alcohol induced ESLD= A-okay. Drugs induced ESLD= bad! Bad! BAD!!!
This has been mandated by the State of Arizona in response to budgetary pressures it has nothing to due with government-run health insurance. But let's not confuse this enlightened soul with the facts.
Look on the bright side. If you destroy your liver with alcohol or an overdose of meds you can still get a liver transplant through Medicaid in Arizona. So drink up an enjoy!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The new transplant exclusions took effect Friday as part of broader Medicaid coverage changes mandated by the State of Arizona in response to budgetary pressures. (Arizona's Fiscal Year 2010 enacted budget directs AHCCCS to eliminate various medical and health services for adults.).
"In addition to eliminating most organ-transplant coverage, Arizona's Medicaid agency also is eliminating most dental care for adults as well as coverage of podiatrist services; insulin pumps; percussive vests; bone-anchored hearing aids; cochlear implants; orthotics; gastric bypass surgery; certain durable medical equipment; "well" medical checkups; some non-emergency medical transportation; microprocessor-controlled lower limbs and joints; and it is limiting outpatient physical therapy to 15 visits per contract year".
self-inflicted and conflicted
:)
Hectorsf
Arizona Medicaid's transplant coverage exclusion is the first of its kind in the nation for hepatitis C patients. NVHR is deeply troubled that the new Medicaid coverage exclusion inflicts catastrophic consequences that go far beyond any supposed savings.
This is deplorable, inhumane and any other four letter word I can think of at
this moment. This makes it urgent for people from Arizona to move to other
states...making all states waiting lists longer, but what choice do they have.
Makes me wonder what the heck !!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean really???????
Are other states going to follow?
Blue/Red....a life is a life.
This is deplorable, inhumane and any other four letter word I can think of at
this moment. This makes it urgent for people from Arizona to move to other
states...making all states waiting lists longer, but what choice do they have.
Makes me wonder what the heck !!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean really???????
Are other states going to follow?
Blue/Red....a life is a life.
I will only say that I wasn't as surprised as I would have been if say NY had done this...or PA or CA and so on and so on.
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