JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 9/11 first responder struggling with degree 4 most cancers mentioned he can’t manage to pay for scientific therapies after shedding advantages from the International Industry Middle Well being Program.
This system covers eligible first responders and survivors of the September eleventh terror assaults without charge.
Jeffrey Brown helped get well and take away our bodies on the Pentagon. He mentioned the WTC program paid for his most cancers therapies up till final week. It’s an issue he claims may be going down to different first responders.
“I believe that everyone says by no means put out of your mind however I feel it was once forgotten fast,” Brown mentioned.
Whilst on the Pentagon convalescing our bodies — Brown was once uncovered to poisonous particles. Final yr he was once identified with degree 4 prostate most cancers, which the International Industry Middle Well being program verified as an immediate results of his restoration efforts at flooring 0.
Up till final Tuesday, he mentioned WTC lined all of his therapies on the Baptist MD Anderson Most cancers Middle, however stopped after this system was once taken over through a brand new fitness care carrier.
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“MD Anderson advised me as a result of they may be able to’t take this insurance coverage or my non-public insurance coverage, I might be liable for the $17,500 for that one remedy, and as well as, I’ve to take drugs each month that’s every other 3,000 greenbacks,” Brown mentioned.
WTC lists its new in-network suppliers on-line. Brown mentioned he referred to as however nonetheless couldn’t discover a position that took the brand new insurance coverage.
“After I reached out to this system, they mentioned that they’re sorry they’re going via this and that they’re running on it and I nonetheless haven’t heard again from them even now,” Brown mentioned.
Determined to get remedy, he employed legal professional Woody Igou to assist get solutions. Igou despatched a letter to this system’s directors and a case employee a couple of days in the past. The letter is pleading for one thing to be finished and stresses the truth that this may shorten Brown’s existence.
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“They didn’t do their due diligence and do their jobs in regards to the switch and now other folks with degree 4 most cancers like Jeff and he’s now not the one particular person are all a minimum of going to be every week past due on their lively most cancers chemotherapy radiation,” Igou mentioned.
The Nationwide Institute for Occupational Protection & Well being (NIOSH), the group in control of the International Industry Middle’s fitness program, reached out to Brown on Wednesday and has arrange an appointment for an infusion subsequent week.
He mentioned there was once no point out of his drugs or long run infusions.
News4JAX reached out to NIOSH for remark — Right here’s the reaction we won on Wednesday:
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