Male breast cancer patient cannot obtain Medicaid coverage

Raymond Johnson is 26 and male breast cancer. who works for a small construction company that does its best to him, but does not provide health insurance. when turned to Medicaid for help covering the cost of treatments, was shot down. Medicaid rules vary by State and Johnson lives in South Carolina, where coverage for breast cancer treatment is offered only to women.

Johnson and his mother had to absorb the shock of his cancer diagnosis and then the jolt to cover expenses with no help from their state who hoped that lump in her breast was a cyst, but when it became big and painful, tried to help a biopsy confirmed her breast cancer which went to Charleston Cancer Center for surgery and to get help with other treatments. was there that he learned that he He was on his own to cover the cost, fortunately, he met a patient advocate, Susan Appelbaum, experienced in working with bureaucracy. State Appelbaum noted: "breast cancer is not exclusive to women, I know that there is not near as many cases [in humans] but is certainly not a problem to think about," he said. "What this man of 26 years is going to endure, with chemo, radiation and surgery, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. This guy is never going to recover financially. "

Currently, Johnson is having chemotherapy neo-adjuvant chemo before surgery when it is given on this program, doctors hope to reduce the tumor and can stop the spread of cancer. a small tumor means less patient trauma surgery-male or female, but chemotherapy drugs are making it impossible for Johnson to continue working, as side effects are debilitating. his medical bills are already over $ 4000only in the early stages of his treatment he refused. Medicaid twice, but his lawyer patient and hospital stays positive about helping with finances.

Appelbaum has appealed to Congressman Johnson and local organizations that might be able to help change the law and provide medical help costs. "is always a day at a time," said Appelbaum. "We will try our best because we want to help people, is our work". Meanwhile, the Bills of doctor and hospital bills keep coming in the mail. Johnson now goes to Roper St. Francis Hospital, a non-profit organization, for treatments, he will not be denied treatment, and no collection agencies will be sent to him for dogs to advocate patient "money Johnson will help work out a payment plan is adjusted for its current financial situation.

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