Cancer Story Stands Out at White House Forum
Participants at the first White House Regional Forum on Health Care Reform heard from many people who have horror stories about their health care.
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One participant was Adrian Campbell Montgomery. The young mother told the crowd about her battles with cancer. At 22 she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, but was denied a common treatment because she was too young. The surgery doctors wanted for her was only recommended was patients 26-years-old or older.
Montgomery was able to recover, but 4 years later she is still in debt from the treatments. Montgomery, who has no health insurance, has also been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She says the diagnoses alone has already put her another $10,000 in debt.
Montgomery’s wasn’t the only story told at today’s forum. A nurse told the crowd that while she is fully insured her son isn’t covered.
These White House forums are designed to help the President’s staff prepare a health care reforms, with the idea to have a package ready for his signature by the fall. Today’s event was hosted by Governor Jennifer Granholm and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. Melody Barnes, President Barack Obama’s Domestic Policy Council director, was there representing the White House.
In addition to the forums, the White House has set up a website that you can send your story too.