No need for anyone with cancer to rely on either of us -- anyone with or without cancer who has questions about how to find insurance, how to access other resources in their state, what parts of law are in effect already, what will be coming, just needs to go healthcare.gov " target="_blank" rel="nofollow">towww.healthcare.gov and read for themselves. Can read entire law or excerpts, and btw nowhere is there is there any mention of health/death/ethics or other panels. the healthcare.gov site has links to what law means to you, how to find insurance in their own state (some states have programs, fedl gov back-up for those that don't),compare prices, and so on. Panels myth an outgrowth of an original recommendation -- cut before law was passed -- about having Medicare cover OPTIONAL counseling for seniors about living wills, DNRs, advanced healthcare directives so they'd have real facts instead of whatever vague ideas they got from friends or internet. The only panel or board mentioned in the law is the Independent Payment Advisory Board made up of doctors and medical professionals, economists and health care management experts, representatives for consumers and seniors tasked to find ways to reduce Medicare spending. BUT this board is -- by law -- prohibited from making any “recommendation to ration health care, raise revenues or Medicare beneficiary premiums … increase Medicare beneficiary costsharing (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments), or otherwise restrict benefits or modify eligibility criteria."
As I mentioned, CancerCompass site for HELPFUL advice for those with melanoma, and young man whose partner needed help accessing insurance was one I was reaching out to with my reply. Between info on that site -- and each state's own site that's linked to that site -- NIH clinical trials and drug company compassionate care programs that major hospitals can access on your behalf -- no reason anyone with melanoma should be denied care.
Not a paralegal. If you have melanoma, much healthier to focus on positives, not some phoney bogeyman. And if you don't have melanoma then you should not be using this as a political forum. Why are you set on frightening everyone with scenarios that won't happen? In 2014, if I'm still alive, I will still have the same health insurance I've had since 1979 except now I won't have to worry as I used to about a $1.5 million lifetime cap on costs. No upper limit thanks to law. Not surprised about your volunteer gig, but seems a real disservice to those with cancer to voluntarily become a tool of those spreading inaccuracies -- getting people who need and will benefit from law the most to think it says something it doesn't so insurance companies and rich folks can keep their money is so unethical and just plain uncharitable when it comes to scaring cancer patients in need of hope, not despair. If you have melanoma I wish you well but your outlook could use an overhaul. At least get the facts straight and you'll find life more enjoyable.