By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Southern Nevada cancer patients who can't afford treatment often turn to UMC for help but now that medical help won't be there for them.
Clark County commissioners voted to stop all outpatient oncology services at UMC as of Dec. 31, 2008. Some are calling Tuesday's vote a death sentence.
Already UMC has stopped taking on new patients. The impact will be felt by people diagnosed with cancer who don't have insurance and can't afford to pay for health care.
After a brief presentation from the head of UMC, county commissioners voted to do away with a number of hospital services, including outpatient oncology care. UMC's CEO Kathleen Silver went into detail about each program and what kind of savings the county-run hospital would gain from the cuts.
Representatives from local cancer centers, along with the Susan G Koman for the Cure organization spoke out in the meeting. Jackie Brown, a cancer survivor herself, was hoping the commissioners would vote against the cuts but that didn't happen.
“People will die with the decisions made today. UMC outpatient oncology care is closing and the people we work with, the uninsured, lower income people of the community, will have no options,” said Brown.
“Where will poor people go? We want an answer if you have one. Where will the poor people go? Are we saying we'll just sit back and watch people die?” questioned Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly.
Although Weekly asked some tough questions, in the end he voted with the rest of the commissioners to close the program.
Other cuts at the hospital were also approved.
WHY IS IT THAT OUR GOVERNMENT TAKES CARE OF PEOPLE IN OTHER COUNTRIE’S, BUT CAN’T SEEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES? I THINK THAT IS VERY SAD. IS THERE AN ANSWER FOR THIS?
Comment by LOUISE SCHUMAKER — November 24, 2008 @ 8:53 pm
The Nevada Cancer Institute has received millions of dollars in funding from the State of Nevada. They also receive millions of dollars in donations from the casino industry due to their close casino ties. Many other wealthy supporters also grace Nevada Cancer Institute’s contributor list on their website.
I find it appalling that the state continues to support an organization who already receives generous funding by the gaming industry, among others, while UMC, the community hospital, is left out to dry. Furthermore, the opulent Nevada Cancer Institute is the very organization who has prematurely terminated their contract in providing services at the UMC clinic.
Comment by lv4445 — November 25, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
As a 3 time cancer survivor I find this action by the besat with coruption hospital unbelievable. Just because UMCs top executives are believed to have stolen or defrauded millions and put the hospital finances even deeper in the hole, just can’t justify this most egregious move. This is a public hospital, not a private, for profit facility. I have excellent medical coverage, and my treatments and care were fully covered. Without the chemo and radiation I had, I would have positively died. My heart goes out to those who can’t afford the necessary treatment to save their life.
County Commissioners: You are the most heartless SOBs that currently draw a breath. You can’t tell me that funds to continue outpatient oncology can’t be found in the Clark County budget. My outrage is so great that I can’t continue…….
Comment by Retired person — November 30, 2008 @ 12:39 pm
Are you kidding me???? What kind of sick world do we live in. I don’t know if these people have lost a love one or they themselves have EVER experienced what it like to deal with this disease. This is not an illness caught by doing something wrong. How could you Ever turn anyone away whose only chance for survival could be treatment.
These people who made this decision should be ashamed.
Just remember Karma’s A Bitch!!!!
Comment by Stephanie Garfias — December 4, 2008 @ 10:29 pm
Isn’t it sad that the people who initiated this and voted to take this health care away from the unfortunate ALL have good insurance. They can afford it. They must all have no conscience about our present economy and the unfortunate circumstances of people who have just lost their jobs. We are going to see a lot of suicides and even more heartbreak.
Are these the people who hired the last director of UMC? What’s in it for them? I suppose something.
I work, I have insurance, I am fortunate, but I am completely appauled at this action to hurt the unfortunate even more.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!
Comment by M. Lyttle — December 5, 2008 @ 12:14 am
I am a recent cancer survivor. I have sympathy for those infected with this disease. I however get tired of my tax dollars supporting free services provided to those who can;t afford it. I work hard for my money and worked hard while going thru chemo in order to keep my insurance benefits. The hospital needs to do what other organizations do and solicit donations from the wealthy and casinoes. I have been to the casinoes and they are making money. Look to the multimillion airs like Wynn for support.
Comment by Jeff — December 5, 2008 @ 1:11 pm
I am ashamed of these people you think that the only way to save money is to punish the ones who cannot pay. I have lost a few friends and relatives to cancer and it is not a pretty way to die. But these people have just put a death sentence on them, as surely as if they were judged quilty of a crime. They should forced to look them in the eye and say sorry but I do not want you to live. There are times like this I wonder where the kindness and help our country was built on. We will go out of our way to help other people in nations that hate us and want us destroyed. But we will not help the ones in our country who we should be helping first. But it’s the same old damn story, ” let some one else help not me.” Well some day one of your friends or family will be diagnosed with this dease. What will you tell them ” sorry I cannot afford to help you.” I really try some times to look at things with these people outlook. But I have this problem I am unable to get my head up my butt.
Comment by Dennis Cripe — December 10, 2008 @ 6:32 pm
I can not believe how horrible this Hospital could be to a human being this is outrageous. I don’t know how they can sleep at night SHAME ON THEM
Comment by Linda — December 12, 2008 @ 8:21 am
Well my last post looks to be deleted, so I’ll try again.
UMC losses a ton of tax payer dollars running these programs. If you want to help people so bad vote to reduce your taxes so you can give voluntarily and not by the force of the state. UMC is poorly managed like most state/county/federal programs. Let’s do better then 30 cents on the dollar and give our money to the people who use it efficiently. (Churches, charities, mutual aid society, etc…)
Don’t you want to help 70% more people!
Comment by ed — December 14, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
So who wil be taking care of the patients? There are many facts about what the UMC clinic is going to do but no direction for the people in need.
Comment by janine — December 15, 2008 @ 3:25 pm