Names of the Dead

In January, 1991, my mother, who had a medicare hmo administered by Blue Cross, was admitted to the hospital by her family physician because of undiagonised severe pain throughout her body. After tlhree days in the hospital, and after several tests, the Blue Cross "Patient advocate" nurse came and reviewed her chart. She determined that since the pain was still not diagnosed, there was no further reason for her to continue to stay in the hospital; she announced that Blue Cross would no longer pay for her stay - so she was discharged. Three days later my mother was stilll in such severe pain that my dad took her back to the hospital emergency room - where she DIED an hour later. Don't tell me about a public option "run for your life granny" problem - this problem ALREADY exists in the private insurance business. How an insurance case worker can override a doctor's orders in absolutely unconscionable! Jim Pitton