This is Inexcusable!!!

Avatar for ddnlj
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
This is Inexcusable!!!
19
Fri, 10-09-2009 - 12:52pm
This is the kind of healthcare conservatives want us to have. These are the types of companies they want to protect.

Just imagine if this were YOUR child.


 


 
Thursday, October 8, 2009

CIGNA Employee Flips Off Mother Of Girl Who Died, Denied a Transplant


You may recall the case of Nataline Sarkisyan, 17, who was denied a liver transplant by CIGNA, on the grounds that the operation was "too experimental." Nine days later, following a number of protests, the company changed its mind, but it was too late: Nataline died hours later, on Dec. 20, 2007.

Ten months later, Hilda and Krikor Sarkisyan went to CIGNA's Philadelphia headquarters, along with members the California Nurses Association, who have long supported Medicare for All, to confront CIGNA CEO Edward Hanway over the death of their 17-year-old child.

Naturally, they were not allowed to talk to Hanway. Far worse, however, was the fact that a CIGNA employee flipped the group off from a balcony. That finger may cost CIGNA dearly, despite a later CIGNA apology.

The Sarkisyans filed a wrongful-death suit againt CIGNA, but a Los Angeles judge threw out the suit, saying it was barred by a 1987 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that protects employer-paid health care plans from damages with regards to their coverage decisions. That's the bad news.

The good news, from U.S. District Judge Gary Allen Feess, is that the Sarkisyans could pursue damages for any emotional distress caused by the Philadelphia incident. Indeed, that's where the finger comes into play.

Essentially, as Hilda Sarkisyan admitted herself, it's ludicrous. They cannot sue because CIGNA denied treatment, essentially killing their daughter, but flipping the bird, that they can sue for. Admittedly, it would seem a jury would be sympathetic to the family.

The family is not interested in the money. They are interested in change.
"If you don't sue, you can't make changes," Hilda Sarkisyan said. "It's not about the money. It's about the principle. They are just going to keep denying people care if we don't stop them."
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Avatar for claddagh49
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Sun, 10-11-2009 - 5:56pm
Thank you. I don't think people on Medicare have as difficult of time as people who have For-Profit ins companies. What a racket they have going. I'd love for the CEO's of some of these major ins companies
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-2007
Sun, 10-11-2009 - 7:28pm

This is the precise reason that I HATE, HATE, HATE insurance companies. They have way too much power. And in this case even the power of life or death!! They should be regulated. I've had these feelings about

Avatar for ddnlj
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 10:31am

One of the hospitals I work for sees nearly 85% Medicaid patients. They receive far better care than I do as an employee. They are denied nothing, including dental care.


On the other hand, I have to twist and turn and jump through hoops to get the care I need, and even then I doubt it's the BEST care because my healthcare providers are limited by what my insurance allows them to do and the cost I'm willing to take on.


Here's a scenerio that I'm sure happens quite often with people who have to rethink their injury or illness before seeking treatment. Last Tuesday I accidently sliced my finger with a box knife. It was quite a gash and bled a lot. Here it is nearly a week later and it's still not healing because it's such a wide gash the edges of the skin won't come together.


It probably could have used a couple of stitches, but I've discovered butterfly bandages and I'm used those instead. Why?

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Avatar for ddnlj
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 10:40am

In the sea of the insurance industry,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2007
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 10:44am

I feel for you......it's too darn bad when something like what happened to your finger will go untreated due to the high cost of having it stitched up properly.


Let's hope it doesn't become infected. Keep it cleaned out and then covered (I know, I'm sounding like a preacher, and I'm sure you know what to do, but......).

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2002
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 11:34am
Yes, we've superglued some pretty gnarly cuts together. rather than go to the ER and deal with the costs. I think my nephews ER bill, when I took him in for stitches was over $900, about 10 years ago


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2005
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 3:15pm

For-profit health insurance companies are in business for one reason-to make a profit.

Avatar for claddagh49
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Mon, 10-12-2009 - 7:12pm

Try superglue. Do you know they are now in many cases using medical surgical glue to keep your flesh/skin together on the outside? then they place a saranlike topper on it. It will just eventually flake off! That's what they used on my hernia surgery. And the lumpectomy on my left axllia.


I had a Dr say to use supergule years ago to hold together cracked dry skin in the Winter when it splits open, clean it thoroughly, hold it tightly together, have someone put a dab of superglue on it, and then put a bandaide on it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-23-2008
Tue, 10-13-2009 - 11:32am
Yes, that is very sad.

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