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A woman in Grand Rapids needs a new heart, but the 60-year-old mother was rejected as a transplant candidate because she did not have the money to pay for follow-up care. (Alex Britt / GoFundMe)
A woman in Grand Rapids needs a new heart, but the 60-year-old mother was rejected as a transplant candidate because she did not have the money to pay for follow-up care. Spectrum Health's Richard DeVos Heart and Lung Transplant Center rejection letter asked the sick woman to begin a "fundraising effort" and then reapply for a heart transplant.
Hedda Martin posted on Facebook the rejection letter received from the Grand Rapids clinic, which became viral.
"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 coverage of immunosuppressive drugs." The committee recommends a fundraising effort of $ 10,000, "says the letter dated November. 20.
Martin's son launched a campaign on GoFundMe Sunday that raised close to $ 28,000 on Monday afternoon.
The hospital system refused an interview with Newschannel 3, but sent a written statement.
Spectrum Health acknowledged in the statement that a candidate's ability to pay is a determining factor in transplant decisions.
"While we 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 quality of care possible," said Spectrum in its statement. "Although our main focus is the patient's medical needs, the fact is that transplants require lifelong care and immunosuppression medications, so costs are sometimes a regrettable and unavoidable factor in the process of taking decision. "
Martin has developed congestive heart failure due to a complication related to chemotherapy treatment.
The $ 10,000 needed is to cover a 20% share of anti-rejection drugs rejected at 20%.
"The transplant team does not want to" waste "a vital organ if it can not afford drugs for heart rejection." Says Martin, GoFundMe page. "However, they are not even willing to put her on the list, knowing that it would give her plenty of time to raise money for about a year through her family."
Martin and his son did not respond to interview requests on Monday.
In a Facebook post on Monday morning, Martin wrote that she was asking for her case to be brought to the Spectrum Transplant Committee on Tuesday, now that she has raised more than $ 10,000 to pay for post-transplant care.
Spectrum Health's full statement regarding the patient seeking a transplant:
"Although we 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. . 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 compassion, 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 assistance. 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 fully understand their specific situation. "
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