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Hawaii Insurer Denies Woman Transplant Because of Pot Use

Waimea, Hawaii, resident Kimberly Reyes died July 27 at Hilo Medical Center, 10 days after her insurance provider denied the liver transplant she needed because she had tested positive for marijuana in a series of toxicology tests. Reyes was not a registered medical marijuana user, but her family told the Honolulu Advertiser she had used it to deal with nausea, pain, and disorientation caused by the hepatitis that killed her.

Reyes' attorney, Ted Herhold of San Francisco, told the Observer that the diagnostic test results were the sole basis for Hawaii Medical Service Association's (HMSA) denial of transplant coverage. Reyes' husband Robin, and her mother, Noni Kuhns, said the decision was based on failure to comply with HMSA's policy forbidding drug use, but that neither HMSA nor her doctors had told her just what that policy was.

"Just because someone takes a hit off of a joint doesn't mean that it should be the end of their life -- this is not a reason to deny life," said Kuhns.

HMSA has refused to comment or provide its policies on drug use and transplant approval.

Denial of transplants to marijuana users has happened before. Last year, Seattle-area musician Timothy Garon died after being refused a transplant because of doctor-recommended medical marijuana use. In 2003, Oregon resident Dave Myers was removed from a transplant list merely for Marinol, a prescription medicine related to marijuana.

Marijuana: Hawaii Insurer Denies Woman Transplant Because of Pot Use | Stop the Drug War (DRCNet)

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bluecheese

That's imposing the death sentence for using pot.

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cheese

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P3nelope

witness the extinction program in progress
"an it harm none" with informed consent damned hypocrites!!

twisted :s
P3n

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reederx

This makes me want to scream.

Rot in Hell, Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Rest in Peace, Kimberly Reyes.

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swordfish

I believe it's actions like these that will cause future domestic terrorisim. Our own country will create the monsters that someday soon will result in many fatalities when a Hep-c patient who's been denied, decides to open up a full clip of ammo in the lobby of one of these establishments. Alot of innocent people could die in the process.

It would be sad though if they brought down a hospital with alot of innocents for this type of cause, when the situation could have been prevented.

I have Hep-c and I would not accept this decision. If I had any strength left in me I would take care of business with the people who decided my fate, rest assured.

Rest in peace Kimberly Reyes, someday soon their kind will drop and die. Could happen sooner than expected, for your sake anyway. Hope there would be some solace for you in heaven if you new those people who ended your life were not capable of making decisions any longer.

Hep-C patients should form militias, where can I sign up?

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potato salad123

sign me up.

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