Teen dies hours after liver transplant approved

[Oceanbreeze]

"Mark Geragos, attorney for the girl's family, said he plans to ask the district attorney to press murder or manslaughter charges against Cigna HealthCare in the case. The insurer "maliciously killed her" because it did not want to bear the expense of her transplant and aftercare, Geragos said."


It won't bring her back, but I hope the family milks Cigna BIG TIME.



http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/12/21/teen.liver.transplant.ap/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

[cassandra]

:cry

[April15]

The article fails to say if a liver or living donor was available

[crazycase]

Thats really sad :(

[Oceanbreeze]

The article fails to say if a liver or living donor was available

True. But,

"Despite the reversal, CIGNA said in an e-mail statement before she died that there was a lack of medical evidence showing the procedure would work in Nataline's case."

I'm flipping FED UP with insurance CEO's thinking that they can decide what will and won't work for patients. I have ZERO respect for insurance companies. :soapbox

[Trueblue]

Cigna took her off the transplant list. :mad

[Oceanbreeze]

I PRAY this is the wake up call for ALL insurance companies to quit messing with people's lives. It's just really sad a 17 year old had to lose her life.

[McLovin]

Unfortunately this girl lost her life. :( I know a lot about transplants. My mother died in 1999 after receiving a liver transplant. She had to pay $250,000 up front to even get on a list. And since this is the "paid" list she got a donor in less than 6 months where some people wait YEARS & die because no donor is available. It's a sad, sad fact, but you basically have to pay for your organs.

Oh & Cigna is my heath care provider so I hope I never need an organ. :para

[Oceanbreeze]

:hug Lola. I'm sorry you lost your mother. :hug

[Trueblue]

Same here, Lola.