Contents
Poems
of Comfort and
Inspiration
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Our Struggle
(continued)
Having a child involved with drugs is a nearly unbearable, unimaginable stress. Distraught, I couldn't fight the insurance company's denial on top of that stress. Katie's dad and I, and her brother were pursuing other avenues of getting help, but unfortunately, they take time. Time that Katie obviously did not
have!
Oddly, the insurance company stance on this had lulled me into a false sense of complacency that, once she had an OD, she would qualify for intensive, inpatient treatment, and recovery could then begin. Not every one survives that first OD. Katie didn't. What they required to get her treatment, killed her. To give some meaning to Katie's tragic death, I want to expose the widespread practice of making consumers battle the insurance companies for reasonable and appropriate care. It is my sincere wish that this deadly game be stopped before another family suffers the pain, anguish and sorrow that will haunt our family for the rest of our days. DASPOP, which stands for Drug & Alcohol Service Providers Organization of Pennsylvania, is an organization that is working hard to end the practice that prevented us from getting timely and appropriate care for our child. Our child who was literally begging for help. We have paid a price that no family should ever have to pay. Regardless of whether you were ultimately successful or unsuccessful, whether your loved one died or survived, DASPOP is interested in hearing from anyone who has ever had to fight with an insurance company to obtain covered Drug & Alcohol treatment benefits. If you are presently battling an insurance company to obtain these benefits, DASPOP can help. Letters may be addressed to: DASPOP at 2033 Linglestown Road, Box 230, Harrisburg, PA. 17110. Or, if you fear that your insurance company's resistance to providing appropriate treatment could soon result in your loved one's death, call DASPOP at (717) 657-7702. While this is not an emergency hotline, they will try to get back to you within a day if your need is pressing. If only I had known this a few months ago, my beautiful daughter could still be alive. I pray that this saves other lives. You can help by sharing your story with DASPOP. We MUST beat the drum of INSISTENCE to get the care that the insurance policies purport to cover. The drum beat must grow and persist until the insurance giant wakes up and realizes that consumers will no longer tolerate this needless and tragic loss of lives. If you would also like to share your story with me, or, if you knew Katie and would like to share your thoughts, memories, etc., please e-mail me at:  |
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