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by Rachel Glaser | Newschannel 3
A Grand Rapids woman needs a new heart, but her 60-year-old mother was rejected as a transplant candidate because she did not have the money to pay the bills follow-up care. (Alex Britt / GoFundMe)
A Grand Rapids woman needs a new heart, but her 60-year-old mother was rejected as a transplant candidate because she did not have the money needed . pay for follow-up care. Heart and Lung Transplant Center Refusal Letter Richard DeVos of Spectrum Health instructed the sick woman to start a "fundraising effort" and then reapply for heart transplant
Hedda Martin published the rejection letter received from the Grand Rapids clinic.
"The decision made by the committee is that you are not currently applying for a heart transplant because you need a safer financial plan for immunosuppressive drug coverage." recommend a fundraiser of $ 10,000, "says the letter dated November 20.
Martin's son launched a GoFundMe campaign on Sunday that raised close to $ 28,000 on Monday afternoon.
The hospital system refused an interview with Newschannel 3, but had a written statement.
Spectrum Health recognizes in the statement that a candidate's ability to pay is a determining factor in transplant decisions.
Do not comment on specific patient situations to protect their privacy. Spectrum Health cares deeply about every patient who comes in and provides everyone with the best possible quality of care, "Spectrum said in a statement. "Although our main goal is to meet the medical needs of the patient, the fact is that transplants require lifelong care and immunosuppression medications. As a result, costs are sometimes a regrettable and unavoidable factor in the decision-making process. "
Martin developed a congestive heart failure due to a complication related to chemotherapy treatment.
The $ 10,000 required is intended to cover a 20% share of anti-rejection drugs.
"The transplant team does not want to" waste "a vital organ if it can not afford drugs for heart rejection." Martin's GoFundMe page says. "However, they are not even not willing to put her on the list knowing that it would still give her time to raise money for about a year through her family. "
Martin and his son were not allowed to pay. did not respond to interview requests on Monday. [19659005] In a Facebook post on Monday morning, Martin wrote that she had asked that her case be brought before the Spectrum Transplant Committee on Tuesday. which means that she has raised more than $ 10,000 to pay for post-transplant care.
Spectrum Health's complete statement regarding the patient in search of a transplant:
[19659005] "Although we did not discuss specific patient situations in order to To protect their privacy, Spectrum Health cares deeply about every patient who comes in and provides everyone with the best quality care possible. Although it is always disturbing to be unable to provide a transplant, we have an obligation to ensure that transplants are successful and that donor organs remain viable. We carefully examine candidates for cardiac and pulmonary transplantation procedures with care and compbadion, decisions that are often very complex and difficult. Although our primary goal is the medical needs of the patient, the fact is that transplants require lifelong care and immunosuppression medications. As a result, costs are sometimes a regrettable and unavoidable factor in the decision-making process. We work in partnership with our patients throughout their care and work closely with them to identify opportunities for financial badistance. Our clinical team maintains an ongoing dialogue with patients about their eligibility, holding frequent face-to-face meetings and informing patients in-person to make sure they understand their specific situation. "
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