Ohio parents plead guilty in son's cancer death

[unapatriciated]

35. what happens when you suspect your child is seriously ill...

and the hmo doctor refuses to do a simple blood test....nothing. In May of 1990 I requested my son be tested for Lupus do to rashes and fatigue (also family history of Lupus). I still remember his words on the many times I would take my son in. "Don't worry it's growing pains" or "it's a reaction to your detergent". The best one was "stop playing detective and let me be the doctor". He finally did the test I had requested in late December. I still remember that phone call telling me my son had systemic lupus. This turned out to be an incorrect diagnosis but at least we were referred to Childrens. He was diagnosed with dermatomyositis and it had been active for almost a year. On the second day of my son's three month stay at Childrens, this same doctor tried to have him released. He stated that there was nothing more they could do for him and he would be better off at home with his family. My insurance company than started a battle of denials and delays, that would last for ten years. If my son had been treated early on he would not have endured as much pain and might have not lost as much muscle as he did. The disease is controllable (with little or no damages) in most cases involving children when caught early.

Insurance Companies do not belong in the business of for profit health care. Our health gets in the way of their profits and we lose.