24-Year Military Veteran Left To Die

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 25 Sep 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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"In January 2007 I experienced the worst day of my life," recounts Michael Baranik of Jennings, Louisiana. "My doctor informed me I had terminal cancer, and in the next breath he told me my insurance wouldn't cover the chemotherapy. I spent 24 years in the United States Navy, serving my country, and now my country is giving up on me.

"I thought my military insurance was good coverage and was accepted by most doctors. What I found out was most doctors are not accepting military insurance. I had to plead to my doctors to give me a chance to live. I was shocked, and will never in my life recommend any person join our armed services. Why should they? So they can get sick and be told 'Sorry, we know you fought for our country, but this is how we repay you?'

"I begged and begged one doctor who said he could only give me seven treatments because of inadequate insurance. This is what I get for serving my country. If I had known this when I joined, I would have left this country, given up my citizenship, and lived someplace where they respect the men and women who protect their freedom."

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Sponsored by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

Eighty-two percent of Americans think the U.S. healthcare system should be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt (Commonwealth Fund, Aug. 7, 2008). America's nurses know that only single-payer, improved and expanded Medicare for all will fix our broken system and the tragedy of our devastated families. HR 676, by U.S. Rep John Conyers, is the most comprehensive, cost effective way to achieve guaranteed healthcare for all.

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