Manson Follower Susan Atkins Has $1.4 Million Hospital Tab Since March

[CatWoman]

While many Americans with brain cancer may be largely left to fend for themselves financially in the face of million-dollar treatments, the $1.4 million in medical costs that convicted murderer and former Manson follower Susan Atkins has incurred since March is a cost entirely covered by the state of California.

It's a situation that may leave many wondering what kind of medical care prisoners should receive and whether taxpayers should be stuck with the bill.

Last week, the California Board of Parole denied a request for a court hearing for Atkins' release from prison. Atkins, who has a brain tumor, is paralyzed on the right side of her body and has had a leg amputated.

The debate over her release has spurred the question: Does arguably the nation's second most famous brain cancer sufferer -- behind Sen. Edward Kennedy -- also receive the second-best care in the nation?

"I dare say that apart from the president and the members of Congress, the people with the best health care in this country are inmates," said Dr. Joshua Atiba, the medical director and CEO of Newport Oncology and Healthcare, which delivers cancer treatment to inmates in prisons in California.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5420251&page=1