Color Me Appalled

I think of the state of California has some of the most progressive (and craziest) laws and regulations. I also think of California as a state full of all types of people and as being inclusive and recognizing so many of its diverse constituents. I also realize that the state has had some huge health insurance gaps in the past and the majority were resolved with the Affordable Care Act.

But I am absolutely appalled by what I recently learned about state funded breast and cervical cancer treatment program. Currently the program has these limits:

• Women under 40 are not eligible for free mammograms in the program. So if a woman with no history of cancer in her 20's or 30's found a lump, she would have to pay for her mammogram out of pocket. 
• Breast cancer treatment is limited to 18 months for young women. So if you haven't finished treatment in that period of time you are out of luck.
• Does not offer treatment if a young woman has a recurrence in the same area. 

I have to figure out why this program actually exists for young women. These limitations are insane. It provides no coverage.

So the Komen foundation (doing good for once) actually introduced a bill last year to get rid of these limitations. Actually I should not be sarcastic about the Komen Foundation (for the cure) here as this is a good example of the other types of work they do - besides sticking a pink ribbon on everything. 

The bill is making its way through the government and should eventually become law. I am just stunned that it is needed in this day and age.

Call Me Appalled!

Yesterday was a long complicated day. It ended with me leaving the emergency room of a local hospital I rarely go to around 7pm. (I am fine, a friend needed some stitches). We were there for several hours and saw people coming and going.

As I was leaving, I noticed a woman taking her husband back to the car in a wheelchair. I saw them there when we got there several hours before. Her husband was groaning and in a lot of pain. She was steaming mad. And I don't blame her.

After they were there for hours, they were heading to another hospital as they were just told that hospital does not do surgery on weekends. Could you imagine? Why couldn't they have told them earlier?

I realize it would probably be a doctor to make the decision that he needed surgery but couldn't the triage nurse do anything about it so they were seen sooner before sitting there in obvious pain? I am appalled. I did recommend another hospital to her where I know they do surgery on weekends.