hospital federal funding

nancy591
nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
I just spoke with a friend who was telling me if a hospital is federally funded that will influence their diagnosis and treatments. She bashed the hospital I am being treated at. She says she knows people who went there and were told they were terminal only to go for a second opinion and told they were not. She said in one case federal regulations would only allow one treatment. This gentleman then went to another cancer center and they were able to get the treatment he needed approved.

I thought treatment denials were based on a person's insurance.
Has anyone had their cancer treatment center bashed?

Comments

  • Lisa13Q
    Lisa13Q Member Posts: 677
    #2
    Dear Nancy
    MSKCC is THE place in NY for cancer treatment...Michael Douglas and Carol Channing and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are three of the people I KNOW who are being treated there. The head of the GYN/ONC division is Dr. Richard Barakat....who is one of the most respected gyn/onc surgeons in the USA. All doctors and hospitals have criteria they have to make decisions on, but I can ASSURE you that you are getting gold standard care. I can go into more detail about some of the restrictions, especially if you're in a trial....Now regarding second opinions and clinical treatment: Different cancer centers and doctors have different approaches toward ovarian cancer. For example, Dr. Tom Rutherford at Yale, Head of their gyn/onc area does 2 surgeries. He does not believe in the massive debulking that MSKCC and for example Mayo do. We have a friend who was diagnosed with stage 4, who went to him and is now NED. If you wanted a second opinion, he would be a great guy to see. However, you are in great hands and shame on your friend for bashing your treatment center because he had a bad experience. Also, please take with a grain of salt what someone says their doctor says...my mother and sister and I have left many an appointment having heard 3 different things. Every doctor has their own approach. What specifically, does your friend think you are not getting? I would start there. I think he'll be vague..... Also, ask Dr. Handsome..he'll give you an honest answer. But I assure you, they are not holding back treatment because of federal funding.
  • nancy591
    nancy591 Member Posts: 1,027 Member
    #3
    Lisa13Q said:

    Dear Nancy
    MSKCC is THE place in NY for cancer treatment...Michael Douglas and Carol Channing and Ruth Bader Ginsburg are three of the people I KNOW who are being treated there. The head of the GYN/ONC division is Dr. Richard Barakat....who is one of the most respected gyn/onc surgeons in the USA. All doctors and hospitals have criteria they have to make decisions on, but I can ASSURE you that you are getting gold standard care. I can go into more detail about some of the restrictions, especially if you're in a trial....Now regarding second opinions and clinical treatment: Different cancer centers and doctors have different approaches toward ovarian cancer. For example, Dr. Tom Rutherford at Yale, Head of their gyn/onc area does 2 surgeries. He does not believe in the massive debulking that MSKCC and for example Mayo do. We have a friend who was diagnosed with stage 4, who went to him and is now NED. If you wanted a second opinion, he would be a great guy to see. However, you are in great hands and shame on your friend for bashing your treatment center because he had a bad experience. Also, please take with a grain of salt what someone says their doctor says...my mother and sister and I have left many an appointment having heard 3 different things. Every doctor has their own approach. What specifically, does your friend think you are not getting? I would start there. I think he'll be vague..... Also, ask Dr. Handsome..he'll give you an honest answer. But I assure you, they are not holding back treatment because of federal funding.

    thanks
    Thanks Lisa. It becomes easy to doubt when fear gets in the way. I do believe I am in good hands. Just by reading this board I know my treatments are no different then what everyone else is receiving. Some people just respond better!!

    Thanks again.

    Let me know when you are heading back to NYC!!
  • Hissy_Fitz
    Hissy_Fitz Member Posts: 1,834
    #4
    nancy591 said:

    thanks
    Thanks Lisa. It becomes easy to doubt when fear gets in the way. I do believe I am in good hands. Just by reading this board I know my treatments are no different then what everyone else is receiving. Some people just respond better!!

    Thanks again.

    Let me know when you are heading back to NYC!!

    SK has an absolutely stellar
    SK has an absolutely stellar rep when it comes to cancer treatment, ranking right up there with MD Anderson. There are few hospitals in the US that do NOT federal funds. Those funds, and tax-free status, are what allows many hospitals to provide the very best level of care to their patients.

    If a patient is mistakenly diagnosed as "terminal", I think that is most assuredly a doctor issue, not a matter of hospital policy, or funding.

    MD Anderson also receives federal funding, by the way.

    Carlene

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