Re: Universal Medicaid and Medicare Coverage for Provenge - We Need Your Help

[Guest guest]

:

Several weeks ago I started a thread titled " Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4

months? " on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an

opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money

they wouldn't do it.

The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a

society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive,

limited effect treatments.

Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed on

almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in

lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.

I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients but

who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant

improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no.

[Guest guest]

Hi Chuck,What a fantastic reply to 's post!Because of all the medications you have been fortunate enough to have been given to prolong your life, just look at all the people you have been able to help just on this forum.I wonder how many life's have been saved here, because of all the posts from yourself, A., Terry, Alan. just to mention a few.All you fantastic people, would not be here if it were not for the medications you were able to have access to, so I would rather see the money going to people like yourselves, than to General Electric, who I understand paid absolutely NO taxes last year on Billions of dollars in profit.

Information in the following indicates that some men can have their lives extended by as many as 4 years following administration of sipuleucel-T/Provenge, so the “4 months” of survival should not be the argument against its availability. http://www.cancernetwork.com/prostate-cancer/content/article/10165/1771420 It is much easier for those not in the circumstances of requiring Provenge to argue against its availability because of cost. Take the time to add up the cost of the medications involved in chemotherapy to prolong the lives of those with hormone/castration-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC/CRPC) – should we just take away chemotherapy to prolong lives as well? The same argument of cost would still apply. No, we certainly should not. I have been blessed with a prolonged life of over 18 years of prostate cancer and over 14 years of androgen deprivation to provide me that extended life. Add up the cost of medications over those years, and they, too, will reach unbelievable numbers. But I still live and still must look forward to other medications to prolong my life when my cancer becomes HRPC/CRPC. And I thank The Good Lord for my insurance covering these expenses. Talk about an economic disaster – my family would most certainly have faced such a disaster without insurance. And I pray daily for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have no insurance. Back in February I forwarded the below to this forum that leads to a very reasonable discussion regarding Provenge, its cost, how economics are playing a role in its availability, and how patients/families have clung to the hope of prolonging life. As I noted, a reasonable discussion, but somewhat saddening as well when we recognize the impact it can have on families and THEIR economics when health insurance fails to cover the medication. From: pcan-bounces@... On Behalf Of Kathy MeadeSent: Monday, February 07, 2011 10:05 AMTo: VPCCLegislativeAdvocacy; VPCC_BOARD ; VAPCACOALITION ; NASPCC ; Pcan; Patient Advocates in Research; 'Prostate Cancer Action'; 'PCa Roundtable'Subject: [PCAN] February 4, 2011 ~ Medical Cost-Benefit Ethics | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Provenge http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-4-2011/medical-cost-benefit-ethics/8092/ or if that won't open because of length, try http://tinyurl.com/477buzr Video about medical ethics with Provenge as an example. Kathy For those of us who are not in the shoes of those whose cancer has moved them to the “hope” of Provenge to give them either a month or years of continued life, we have no reason to make comment one way or the other over its expense. Chuck Always as close as the other end of your computer to help address any prostate cancer concerns. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." (Chuck) Maack/Prostate Cancer Advocate/Mentor Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOOBiography: http://www.ustoowichita.org/leaders.cfm?content=bio & id=1Email: maack1@...Chapter Website "Observations": http://www.ustoowichita.org/observations.cfm From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:05 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: Universal Medicaid and Medicare Coverage for Provenge - We Need Your Help :Several weeks ago I started a thread titled "Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4 months?" on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money they wouldn't do it.The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive, limited effect treatments.Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed on almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients but who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no..

[Guest guest]

I am sorry. I do not see the reference to "4 years following administration of sipuleuce-t" in the article cited. Hi Chuck,What a fantastic reply to 's post!Because of all the medications you have been fortunate enough to have been given to prolong your life, just look at all the people you have been able to help just on this forum.I wonder how many life's have been saved here, because of all the posts from yourself, A., Terry, Alan. just to mention a few.All you fantastic people, would not be here if it were not for the medications you were able to have access to, so I would rather see the money going to people like yourselves, than to General Electric, who I understand paid absolutely NO taxes last year on Billions of dollars in profit. Information in the following indicates that some men can have their lives extended by as many as 4 years following administration of sipuleucel-T/Provenge, so the “4 months” of survival should not be the argument against its availability. http://www.cancernetwork.com/prostate-cancer/content/article/10165/1771420 It is much easier for those not in the circumstances of requiring Provenge to argue against its availability because of cost. Take the time to add up the cost of the medications involved in chemotherapy to prolong the lives of those with hormone/castration-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC/CRPC) – should we just take away chemotherapy to prolong lives as well? The same argument of cost would still apply. No, we certainly should not. I have been blessed with a prolonged life of over 18 years of prostate cancer and over 14 years of androgen deprivation to provide me that extended life. Add up the cost of medications over those years, and they, too, will reach unbelievable numbers. But I still live and still must look forward to other medications to prolong my life when my cancer becomes HRPC/CRPC. And I thank The Good Lord for my insurance covering these expenses. Talk about an economic disaster – my family would most certainly have faced such a disaster without insurance. And I pray daily for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have no insurance. Back in February I forwarded the below to this forum that leads to a very reasonable discussion regarding Provenge, its cost, how economics are playing a role in its availability, and how patients/families have clung to the hope of prolonging life. As I noted, a reasonable discussion, but somewhat saddening as well when we recognize the impact it can have on families and THEIR economics when health insurance fails to cover the medication. From: pcan-bounces@... On Behalf Of Kathy MeadeSent: Monday, February 07, 2011 10:05 AMTo: VPCCLegislativeAdvocacy; VPCC_BOARD ; VAPCACOALITION ; NASPCC ; Pcan; Patient Advocates in Research; 'Prostate Cancer Action'; 'PCa Roundtable'Subject: [PCAN] February 4, 2011 ~ Medical Cost-Benefit Ethics | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Provenge http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-4-2011/medical-cost-benefit-ethics/8092/ or if that won't open because of length, try http://tinyurl.com/477buzr Video about medical ethics with Provenge as an example. Kathy For those of us who are not in the shoes of those whose cancer has moved them to the “hope” of Provenge to give them either a month or years of continued life, we have no reason to make comment one way or the other over its expense. Chuck Always as close as the other end of your computer to help address any prostate cancer concerns. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." (Chuck) Maack/Prostate Cancer Advocate/Mentor Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOOBiography: http://www.ustoowichita.org/leaders.cfm?content=bio & id=1Email: maack1@...Chapter Website "Observations": http://www.ustoowichita.org/observations.cfm From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:05 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: Universal Medicaid and Medicare Coverage for Provenge - We Need Your Help :Several weeks ago I started a thread titled "Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4 months?" on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money they wouldn't do it.The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive, limited effect treatments.Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed on almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients but who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no..

[Guest guest]

I now realize that Chuck meant to report that "one man" and not "Some men" can have extended survival Information in the following indicates that some men can have their lives extended by as many as 4 years following administration of sipuleucel-T/Provenge, so the “4 months” of survival should not be the argument against its availability. http://www.cancernetwork.com/prostate-cancer/content/article/10165/1771420 It is much easier for those not in the circumstances of requiring Provenge to argue against its availability because of cost. Take the time to add up the cost of the medications involved in chemotherapy to prolong the lives of those with hormone/castration-resistant prostate cancer (HRPC/CRPC) – should we just take away chemotherapy to prolong lives as well? The same argument of cost would still apply. No, we certainly should not. I have been blessed with a prolonged life of over 18 years of prostate cancer and over 14 years of androgen deprivation to provide me that extended life. Add up the cost of medications over those years, and they, too, will reach unbelievable numbers. But I still live and still must look forward to other medications to prolong my life when my cancer becomes HRPC/CRPC. And I thank The Good Lord for my insurance covering these expenses. Talk about an economic disaster – my family would most certainly have faced such a disaster without insurance. And I pray daily for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and have no insurance. Back in February I forwarded the below to this forum that leads to a very reasonable discussion regarding Provenge, its cost, how economics are playing a role in its availability, and how patients/families have clung to the hope of prolonging life. As I noted, a reasonable discussion, but somewhat saddening as well when we recognize the impact it can have on families and THEIR economics when health insurance fails to cover the medication. From: pcan-bounces@... On Behalf Of Kathy MeadeSent: Monday, February 07, 2011 10:05 AMTo: VPCCLegislativeAdvocacy; VPCC_BOARD ; VAPCACOALITION ; NASPCC ; Pcan; Patient Advocates in Research; 'Prostate Cancer Action'; 'PCa Roundtable'Subject: [PCAN] February 4, 2011 ~ Medical Cost-Benefit Ethics | Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly Provenge http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-4-2011/medical-cost-benefit-ethics/8092/ or if that won't open because of length, try http://tinyurl.com/477buzr Video about medical ethics with Provenge as an example. Kathy For those of us who are not in the shoes of those whose cancer has moved them to the “hope” of Provenge to give them either a month or years of continued life, we have no reason to make comment one way or the other over its expense. Chuck Always as close as the other end of your computer to help address any prostate cancer concerns. "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." (Chuck) Maack/Prostate Cancer Advocate/Mentor Wichita, Kansas Chapter, Us TOOBiography: http://www.ustoowichita.org/leaders.cfm?content=bio & id=1Email: maack1@...Chapter Website "Observations": http://www.ustoowichita.org/observations.cfm From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:05 PMTo: ProstateCancerSupport Subject: Re: Universal Medicaid and Medicare Coverage for Provenge - We Need Your Help :Several weeks ago I started a thread titled "Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4 months?" on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money they wouldn't do it.The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive, limited effect treatments.Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed on almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients but who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no..

[Guest guest]

,Based on this logic,which is flawed, then we should also not allow men coverage for either chemotherapy with taxotere or cabizitaxel as they both have a real cost for each additional month of life extension that exceeds the cost of Provenge! T Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.Director of Advocacy & Advanced Prostate Cancer ProgramsMalecarewww.malecare.comwww.advancedprostatecancer.net

:

Several weeks ago I started a thread titled "Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4 months?" on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money they wouldn't do it.

The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive, limited effect treatments.

Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed on almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.

I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients but who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no.

[Guest guest]

AMEN!

I can't say it any better than did.

The Best to You and Yours!

Jon in Nevada

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> Several weeks ago I started a thread titled " Spend $93,000 to extend life by 4

months? " on this forum as well as the PCa newsgroup. Of those that noted an

opinion 100% said that $93,000 was unreasonable and if it were their own money

they wouldn't do it.

>

> The medical industry can invent treatments much, much faster than we as a

society can pay for them. We have to put our foot down and say no to expensive,

limited effect treatments.

>

> Sure we can quibble about means versus medians and whether the study focussed

on almost terminal patients. The bottom line was very little improvement in

lifespan (versus a placebo) for a lot of money.

>

> I would welcome a well designed study that is based on HT resistant patients

but who have limited metastisis so we can see if there is any significant

improvement in lifespan for those with years to live. But until then, no.

>

>

>