NATALINE SARKISYAN July 10, 1990-December 20, 2007 Memorial Page

[shireen]

When I heard about the Nataline Sarkisyan case, I wrote to Mark Geragos. Today, I was surprised to get a response from him, thanking me for my support. As a rule, I never post personal email correspondence, but in this case, I think it's OK, and besides, it's very short and generic.

Shireen, thanks for the email. We are setting up a memorial site attached to our website which you can access at Geragos.com. Your outrage is shared throughout the country and thanks for rooting for us. All the best Mark

The memorial page is at http://www.geragos.com/sarkisyan/news.html
There are some nice photos of her there, she was such a lovely vibrant young lady.

A fund has been set up in her name, for donations (in lieu of flowers). The funeral is tomorrow (Friday, December 28, 2007) at St. Mary's Armenian Apostolic Church,
500 South Central Avenue, Glendale, California

If you'd like to send a message to the Sarkisyan family, send it to [e-mail]

This case received a lot of publicity because Nataline's parents and friends protested in front of Cigna's headquarters and attracted media attention, and someone at dailykos.com started an email campaign. (I think the California Nurses Union or some similar-sounding organization was also involved in protests.) But this happens all the time; some DU'ers even posted their own horror stories when this story first hit DU. THIS HAS TO STOP NOW!

[caligirl]

1. The California Nurses Association is the professional and labor association

of registered nurses throughout California. They are actively going after other cases like Nataline's. This won't be the only case they champion in the traditional role of nurse as patient advocate. They bring patient advocacy to a whole new level in this campaign. I am a former member.


From the CNA homepage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McGm00Mvakc&eurl=http://www.calnurses.org/

Community Demands CIGNA Authorize Transplant
For Teen but sadly she passed away that same day

In a stunning turn around, insurance giant CIGNA has capitulated to community demands, and protests that the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee helped to generate, and agreed to a critically needed liver transplant for Nataline Sarkisyan, a 17-year-old girl in the intensive care unit at UCLA Medical Center. Unfortunately, Nataline passed away just after six o'clock the same day of the massive protest.


* TAKE ACTION FOR HEALTHCARE *

Join Our Patient Revolt by Telling Your Story Here!

Read the press release following Nataline's death

Read the approval letter from CIGNA
on the day Nataline died (PDF)

RNs pledge to be there for patient care!



Nataline Sarkisyan Vigil Sunday
Press Release 12/22/07

RN's Statement on Death of Nataline Sarkisyan: 'CIGNA Should Have Listened to Her Doctors And Approved the Transplant a Week Ago'
Press Release 12/21/07

CIGNA CAPITULATES TO PATIENT REVOLT - Following Massive Protest, Insurer Authorizes Transplant for 17-year-old Nataline Sarkisyan
Press Release 12/20/07

Whittier Hospital RNs Choose CNA/NNOC In Landslide 87% Election Victory
Press Release 12/20/07

Life Denied: Nurses, Family of Sick Teen March on Health Insurance Company Thursday - 17- year-old girl needs liver transplant, CIGNA denies
Press Release 12/19/07

Time Runs Out for Transplant Teen
ABC News 12/21/07

Family blames HMO for teen's death
Los Angeles Times 12/21/07

Study: Insured Cancer Patients Do Better
Associated Press 12/20/07

Insurer urged to cover girl's surgery
LA Daily News 12/19/07

Time to Pull the Plug on the Flawed California Health Care Deal
California Progress Report 12/17/07

Organize with CNA/NNOC:

CNA 101 - A Guide for
with the CNA

NNOC 101 - A Guide for Organizing with the NNOC

Download the report: Market Based Healthcare

IHSP - Market Based Healthcare: Big Money, Politics, and the Unraveling of U.S. Civil Democracy


AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS


National Nurses Organizing Committee
Caregiver and Healthcare Employees Union
American Association of Registered Nurses
Southern Arizona Nurses Coalition
California Nurses Foundation

http://www.calnurses.org/