According to the Post & Courier, when Raymond Johnson was diagnosed with breast cancer in July, he was refused coverage under the federal Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act. Why? Because in order to be covered, patients have to be diagnosed via specific early detection programs — and those programs are only open to women.
"Cancer doesn't discriminate," said Johnson, "so this program shouldn't discriminate." Although the South Carolina Dept. of Health and Human Services is behind him, uninsured Johnson is relying on non-profit aid for chemo.
While just over 2,000 men get breast cancer every year in the States, the figures are too low to warrant regular screening, as they are for women (either too young or too old) who fall outside of the scope of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act.
But surely anyone with cancer deserves (paid) treatment? Until universal health care is implemented in the US, Mr. Johnson will no doubt keep cropping up all over the country.
Oh, Canada! God keep our land -- and healthcare -- glorious and free...
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