It's become more difficult than ever for people to get the medical attention that they need. With health care costs on the rise, it can feel like it's a privilege to have care covered by an insurance company. In matters of life or death, the amount in a person's bank account can be brought into consideration for important decisions, as one Michigan woman has learned.
Hedda Martin is a breast cancer survivor. She underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatments in 2005. While it helped her beat the cancer, it also led to the deterioration of her heart. Hedda is now in the midst of heart failure. Hedda and her medical team determined that a heart transplant was the best chance she has at long-term wellness. There's just one problem: The heart transplant board denied Hedda's request because they weren't confident she'd be able to pay the $10,000 copay. They then recommended a fundraising effort and explained that she couldn't be approved for placement on the transplant list until the funds were secured.
Hedda Martin is a 60-year-old breast cancer survivor. The aggressive chemotherapy treatment she underwent in 2005 to beat cancer has taken a toll on her body.
Hedda is now suffering from doxorubicin cardiomyopathy, a form of heart failure. Although she is receiving various treatments, they are all short-term solutions.
As her heart began to deteriorate, Hedda consulted with medical professionals to determine the best long-term solution to her condition.
They determined that Hedda would benefit from a heart transplant and began the process of getting her on the transplant list.
Her hopes for a transplant were dashed last week after she received a letter from the transplant team denying her placement on the transplant list.
They explained that Hedda wouldn't be considered for the list despite her need because they weren't confident that she could afford the copay for the anti-rejection drugs she would need following the procedure.
They recommended a "fundraising effort" for the $10,000 necessary before she could be considered for the transplant list.
Hedda's situation is eligible for review by the transplant team again on March 26, 2019. Hedda has until then to prove that she has financial capability to afford the medications.
While family and friends helped Hedda as much as they could, her son created a GoFundMe page to raise awareness of not only Hedda's need but also her treatment by the health care system.
Alex Britt describes his mother as a hospitable woman and animal lover. She raised him on her own and has already overcome so much.
As people heard Hedda's story, they were understandably outraged.
Anyone could find themselves in Hedda's shoes. They should not have to depend on an outpouring of generosity from others to get necessary medical care.
Spectrum Health, which issued the decision in Hedda's case, released the following statement to Splinter on the matter. "While our primary focus is the medical needs of the patient, the fact is that transplants require lifelong care and immunosuppression drugs, and therefore costs are sometimes a regrettable and unavoidable factor in the decision-making process."
With Hedda's story going viral, she has thankfully raised over $30,000 via the GoFundMe page Alex set up. A very recent update states she'll be meeting with the transplant team soon and hopes for good news.
