Re: the ANA supporting this idea for health care reform?
CNA/NNOC has been supporting single payer health care reform too:
http://www.guaranteedhealthcare.org/node Top 10 Reasons For Enacting a Single Payer Healthcare System
One of the many reasons nurses are behind this is due to the every day situations/healthcare crises we frontline nurses deal with everyday for those who are faced with NO care for lack of insurance, denial of coverage or exhaustion of benefits just when one needs it the most.
This weeks patient stories that have crossed my home care agency desk:
25yo male with glioblastoma brain tumor who's SSI benefits put him $1,000 over Medicaid cap. Issues with pain mgmt and ongoing oral palliative chemo to suppress tumor growth. Desires Hospice care. Able to get chemo covered by drug company under compassionate usage BUT can not be involved in Hospice per drug company program guidelines. So Hospice unable to care for patient for free.
Hospitals own home health agency did not accept patient for coverage since no palliative care program.
46 yo with Massive CVA has minimal home healthcare benefit pays $50.00 visit toward home care (average visit cost is $120.00), limit of 100 visits /calendar year. Has $500.00 deductible. Only one discipline can visit per day. Needs SN, PT, OT, ST, HHA Family initially declined care due to co-pays. I talked them into accepting under our Charity care program since income less 250% above poverty line.
76 YO with Medicare Advantage program based in California ----but living in PA with daughter past 3 years. No out of state benefit for health care. Was involved in "Guest benefit program" allows care out of state: did not return paperwork in April so terminated effective 4/30/09. Has leg ulcers.
All of these persons would receive needed care in Canada, England and Australia ---but not in US.
Reform needed NOW.
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