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 Big Bucks Being Made on Cancer PainPosted on Mar 12, 2006N.Y. Times: On Feb. 3, Joyce Elkins filled a prescription for a two-week supply of nitrogen mustard, a decades-old cancer drug used to treat a rare form of lymphoma. The cost was $77.50. On Feb. 17, Ms. Elkins, a 64-year-old retiree who lives in Georgetown, Tex., returned to her pharmacy for a refill. This time, following a huge increase in the wholesale price of the drug, the cost was $548.01. Ms. Elkins’s insurance does not cover nitrogen mustard, which she must take for at least the next six months at a cost that will now total nearly $7,000. She and her husband, who works for the Texas Department of Transportation, are paying for the medicine by spending less on utilities and food, she said. SHARE THIS TRUTHDIG ARTICLE:
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Clinton Pick Wins Conservatives’ Approval
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By R. A. Earl, March 13, 2006 at 8:52 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
100 years ago, I’m told, the average life expectancy was around 45 years. In some parts of the slums of cities, and some unfortunate aboriginal communities around the globe, life expectancy isn’t much improved from that figure even today.
If you are one of the unfortunate who are struck by disease in mid-life and who have a reasonably good chance to “beat” whatever ails you, then by all means, pull out all the stops and pay/do whatever is required to ensure survival.
But once you’ve lived 60-70 years, EXPECT TO DIE! I’m absolutely astounded by those who will go to any lengths - spend any amount of money - just to prolong life a few weeks or months. Sure life is precious… while it lasts! But ALL LIFE ENDS. Get over it.
For those over 60-70 who are facing the “end” and who want to spend their OWN money to stay alive a little longer, then fine. But to expect any insurance company or the public purse to fork over precious resources to assist in this futile effort is ridiculous.
I’ve long thought there’s something fishy about “cancer research.” BILLIONS have been drained from people to fund ivory towers full of highly paid “scientists” who, as far as I can tell, have, to put it bluntly, FAILED MISERABLY to find “solutions.” Almost all the money has gone into TREATMENT after cancer strikes.
So many millions are making a fine living in “cancer research” these days that I doubt a “cure” will EVER BE FOUND because THEY DON’T WANT TO FIND “IT!” They just find enough iddy biddy, and expensive, drugs and treatments to string us all along for as long as time will last.
It’s the same with the criminal justice system… research has documented effective crime PREVENTION techniques that work (you know, eliminate poverty, improve education and work opportunities, etc., etc.) but there are just too many people making a damned good living being cops, jailers, judges, lawyers, etc. for any significant or effective action even to be taken.
The only money I’ll donate is to those who will spend 100% of it on PREVENTION (this includes the shutting down of ANY industry found to be producting a contributing factor - I don’t care how important to the economy). I strongly suspect that if the BILLIONS had been invested in prevention in the first place, there’d be no need for this forum today.
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