Cleveland Clinic: Woman championed by Obama is eligible for Medicaid

[Bluebear]

CLEVELAND – A woman championed as the Obama administration's emblem for health care reform does not have to choose between her home and her health, according to officials at the Ohio hospital where she is being treated.

With a self-reported annual income of about $6,000, Natoma Canfield is a prime candidate for financial aid in the form of Medicaid — the federal health care program for low-income and disabled people — or charitable assistance.

And the Cleveland Clinic said it has no intention of putting out a lien on Canfield's house — or letting the billing process interfere with her treatment.

"It appears that I think she'll be fine," said Lyman Sornberger, the hospital's executive director of patient financial services. "By nature of the fact that she was not early on rejected by either program, that's a key indicator that she will most likely be eligible."...

Obama is not wrong in saying that a patient in Canfield's situation might have to choose between her home and health care, said Eileen Sheil, a spokeswoman for Cleveland Clinic. "But this patient is probably not the best example of someone in that situation, although we've have patients in that situation who haven't yet qualified for Medicaid, or didn't have the resources" to pay for care, Sheil said.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100317/ap_on_he_me/us_health_care_ohio_woman

MEDICARE BUY-IN FOR ALL.

[Cleita]

1. She probably didn't know that. Many people don't know what they qualify

for and no one helps them until somehow they stumble on to what they can qualify for. But I think our pols should have before they made her a show case. Big boo boo maybe?

[Nikki Stone1]

33. The WH should have told her that.....but then they wouldn't have a talking point

...

[Caliman73]

38. True

In my experience, hospitals and clinics do not usually assist anyone in applying for public benefits unless they don't think they will be paid. Otherwise they have just given the person the care, then sent them bills later. I have had to advocate and fight with people to apply for benefits for some of the developmentally disabled people I work with for them to get put on the Medicaid program from the hospital. I have helped many to apply for benefits when they had just gone into the County offices and were sent away. Perhaps the President's information was not entirely accurate, but getting benefits is not easy and by the time you qualify, you maybe have lost your home.

[REP]

2. Oh, okay then. No medical coverage crisis here, folks!

Do I need to add





:sarcasm:

[Bluebear]

4. see response 3

[defendandprotect]

3. Good news . . . but there should be only ONE system . . . everyone equal . . .

everyone entitled to health care as a human right!!

Everyone gets the same care -- no INCOME testing - no one becomes a "charity" case --

[Cleita]

5. You've got that.

Too bad we aren't getting that.

[Bluebear]

6. That's what I'm talking about.

:toast:

[leftstreet]

7. +1

[progressoid]

20. That's waaay too simple and sensible.

[Lugnut]

26. K&R for this post.

It's not at all complicated.

[OHdem10]

8. The choice she made which Obama described was maintaining

her Health Insurance and her home. She dropped Insurance
and later developed Leukemia. Going to Emergemcy room in
a acute stage, it is not uncommon for Hospitals to check
out possible sources for payment--especially, person's
eligibility for Social Programs.

Good news.

[Mimosa]

9. Shoot, why can't we have what the French have? n/t

[MercutioATC]

19. Because we don't want to pay draconian taxes?

...just a thought.

[Mojorabbit]

21. There was a post today

which made the case that we pay as much or more in the end for a whole lot less. Found it.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=7925429

[Mimosa]

22. GREAT LINK, Mojorabbit!

I had read it. Everybody should. :)

[kenny blankenship]

34. here's a thought for you: THEY PAY LESS FOR HEALTH CARE . AND LIVE LONGER.

WE are the ones who live under a "draconian" system that bankrupts and kills people.

[defendandprotect]

36. We are paying "draconian" taxes . . .but it all goes to the military!!!

... just a thought -- wake up!

[MercutioATC]

40. Not even close to what they pay in France.

...and, while they DO get more than we do in social services, I don't believe it's necessary to provide the same level of services they do.

[defendandprotect]

41. Yeah . . . why don't we keep America in a downward spiral?

They pay more, they get substanitally more -- including keeping their unions going --

And what services don't you think should be provided? General or medical?

[defendandprotect]

43. Again, the only thing we get in return is a MIC . . . our infrastructure is collapsing ...

and we are becoming "third world America."

Wake up!

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. She is at the RIGHT place under the NATIONAL spotlight

not only is that a top four hospital... but they are pretty good about things like that.

Partly, not that many know this. the Cleveland Clinic is not truly for profit and all staff are under salary.

[Bluebear]

12. I'm so happy for her & wish her the best. CC is an excellent facility

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. I know that is where I spent the last month

with dad.

Brother is a doctor at the place...

A side benefit, the place is so damn huge I managed to get my exercise almost every day... walked the skyway every day... two or three rounds.

[ecstatic]

11. A lot of the top doctors don't accept Medicaid

And in Georgia you do have to give up your assets to qualify for certain medicaid programs.

[Bluebear]

13. That's a great reason for National health care without state-by-state exceptions

Thanks!

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. That is why she is lucky as can be... CC docs are on salary

they are among the top docs in their field. Their motive ain't profit.

That should be the national model...

Now that takes me into some of the ahem discussions I had with bro... one of the CC's doctors... talk about clueless on the general medical system, but that is another matter. If you look at the US system from his perch... well it works like peaches. And truly if the system was based on the Clinic it would.

This is why the CC and the Mayo were set as models by the Administration when it looked like they wanted to actually do some real reform.

[mmonk]

14. Seems all a little fraudulent then.

I'm glad she was able to access Medicaid, a government run health care system for the poor. We need something for everyone.

[ecstatic]

15. There are other Natomas out there, believe it or not

and until Medicaid reviews all of her info, signs her up, and begins paying claims--the issue is not settled.

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. In her case it will be streamlined

some worker bee at medicaid will be checked, somebody is watching. But for the rest, you are absolutely right.

I saw one similar situation... where people in high places asked questions. Nothing like that to ahem grease the wheels

[peace13]

23. Pick me then Mr. President.

I have a small business and three employees, our MONTHLY health insurance bill is $2400.00! If one of us gets sick we ALL will lose our health insurance and the scenario starts all over. Yes this woman gets Medicare. She has nothing, no savings, no income because the system bleed her dry. Are you saying that it is a good system if you have to be broke and your family has to be broke to get chemo. Really this is the problem. People with small business pay double Medicare double Social Security and can be denied insurance if someone gets sick after years of being bleed dry by the insurance companies. When these businesses go under who do you think is going to pay for the folks sucking up the SS and Medicare today? How many times does it have to be spelled out for you?

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Fraudalent HOW?

If anything this highlights what is WRONG with the system.

[mmonk]

27. She is able to access an existing government program.

The HCR Bill is private for profit. Others that need help don't qualify for the program.

[mzmolly]

25. Can you keep your house if you qualify for Medicaid?

:shrug: What about other assets?

[Political Heretic]

28. It varies from state to state, but short answer - yes.

[mzmolly]

30. Seems like a no if it varies

from state to state. :shrug:

[Political Heretic]

31. Fair point. Thanks for that.

:thumbsup:

[Raine]

35. I think you can LIVE in your home

but when you die your heirs (like your children) may have to give it up to pay off Medicaid.

[Toots]

29. I have been told that my income did not matter because I owned a home

Just owning a home disqualified me. If I sold my home then of course I would be eligible because I don't make hardly any money..Apparently they are going to give this gal a waiver because Obama got involved..

[Political Heretic]

32. It varies from state to state, and to make matters worse, often times the answers you get are BS

Sadly, half the time what someone tells you is wrong.

If you've only talked to one person, I'd recommend speaking with someone else. If you are familiar with any sort of community non-profit in your area, maybe one that offers some low-income services - ask to speak to a case worker. In many instances case-worker types know best how to get around BS and get you connected to resources you need - including things like medicaid.

Ok having said all that, medicaid is a very problematic system no question - which is why I hate it when people say "poor people have medicaid, what's the big deal!" If reveals some class ignorance.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

37. So the person featured by the administration --

to illustrate why this health insurance bill is important actually illustrates the need to expand government run programs like Medicaid and Medicare! :D Too funny.

[Cleita]

39. I love the irony too.

:rofl:

[Bluebear]

42. lol....why, YES, that is indeed the case, apparently!

[Canuckistanian]

44. So Canfield DIDN'T check to see whether she was eligible?

I find that hard to believe.

If I were threatened with losing my house, I'd be on the phone to EVERYBODY IN THE PHONE BOOK, asking if there was an alternative.

I really can't believe she's only now smacking herself in the forehead, saying "D'Oh!"