Cost of cancer drugs crushes all but hope

This USA Today article shows the reality of the outrageous costs of health care, particularly cancer treatment. Cancer is one of the largest contributors of deaths in America. Even Steve Sailer had a fight with cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) around 1996.

While Sailer was lucky to survive his cancer a decade ago, the reality is health care and cancer treatment continues to skyrocket out of control. Even worse for Sailer, Bush and the Republicans whom Sailer supports have no sympathy for non-rich cancer patients like him 10 years ago. Bush and the Republicans receive too much campaign contributions from pharmaceutical and HMO companies too keep prices high so they can maximize profits while America gets screwed with the high bill.

Some real examples of cancer treatment costs.

Tom Reek - 72 - leukemia patient taking a drug called Gleevec.

The only downside to Gleevec, Reek says, is the cost: $3,100 a month. Reek went back to work four years ago as a truck driver, delivering blood tests and lab results to medical offices. With insurance, his pills cost only about $50 a month.

Tarsha Echols - 34 - breast cancer patient taking Herceptin.

Tarsha Echols, 34, a flight attendant in Memphis, began taking Herceptin last year to keep her breast cancer from returning. That was before her employer cut her salary 35%. She plans to stop taking the drug Monday — a year early — because her health plan now requires her to pay 20% of her medical costs, or about $800 a month. That's more than her rent. "I hope that whatever I've gotten so far is enough," she says.

Steve Sailer, your faithful Republican Christian hypocrites still promote affordable health care through faith-based prayer healing. So, Steve Sailer, if your cancer ever returns and you can't afford these cancer treatment drugs (which we know you can't), you can pray for a merciful, dignified death instead.