Above: Ian Waldie (Getty)
Note: Another example of why we need National Improved Medicare for All. Join our campaign, Health Over Profit for Everyone. KZ
Here is an American story. Hedda Martin needs a heart transplant. She applied for a heart transplant. Shortly before Thanksgiving, the Spectrum Health Richard Devos Heart and Lung Transplant Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, got back to her to say that she could not have a heart transplant, because she doesn’t have enough money to pay for the immunosuppressant drugs she would need to make sure her body accepts the new heart. The hospital recommended that she should set up a “fundraising effort.”
Martin’s story started to go viral on Saturday, a few days after she posted a public update on her condition to her Facebook page, largely because it’s a perfect example of how the for-profit health insurance system is destroying American lives. Congresswoman-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has campaigned for Medicare for All, picked up the post as well.
Insurance groups are recommending GoFundMe as official policy – where customers can die if they can’t raise the goal in time – but sure, single payer healthcare is unreasonable.
h/t @DanRiffle pic.twitter.com/zetPW0MgDd
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) November 24, 2018
In her post, Martin said she’s due for a procedure to get an assistive device on Monday, but what she needs is a heart transplant. The hospital is essentially prescribing that she set up a GoFundMe so she can prove she has the money to afford the care after it. So far, she hasn’t set one up, but she’s previously raised $4,600 for her treatment.
Per her Facebook post:
I will not be put on the transplant list until I fulfill a requirement of $10,000 set aside. Only when I have raised that required amount, will I then be “reconsidered” for heart transplant. Not automatically added to list but reconsidered. This is new.
In my September hospital stay, I did not get listed because I did not have Medicare part D prescription coverage. So, I went home and had coverage started November 1st.
So now, with my 20% copay for the pharmaceuticals under Part B (that’s right part B- medical not part D pharmaceutical) it will cost me about $700 a month for my part B copay for anti rejection drugs . Once I reach my $4500 annual my cost is $0. So they want me two show I can cover my $4500 deductible by saving $10,000…which I will do.
I reached out to Martin and to the hospital involved, and I’ll update this post if I hear back.
Update 5:52 p.m.: Martin has set up a GoFundMe for her current fundraising attempt. It’s currently raised $360 of the $10,000 goal.