-
Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >> Heavy consumption of diet soda can damage teeth as badly as methamphetamine or crack cocaine, a new study contends.More >> Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >> Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >> Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >> Kids who eat fast food at least twice a week are 50 percent less likely to use calorie and nutritional information than kids who eat fast food less often.More >> The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >> The American Cancer Society, which is celebrating on Wednesday a century of fighting a disease once viewed as a death sentence, is making a pledge to put itself out of business.More >> In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >> In the aftermath of this week's deadly tornado, many people in Oklahoma are not only struggling to care for children and relatives, but also their pets.More >>
-
Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >> Teen birth rates in the United States are dropping sharply, especially among Hispanic teens, according to a new government report.More >> The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >> The overall health of Americans isn't improving much, with about six in 10 people either overweight or obese and large numbers engaging in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, heavy drinking or not exercising.More >> When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >> When a classmate commits suicide, teens are more likely to consider or attempt suicide themselves, according to a new study. More >> Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.More >> Pregnant women with specific alterations in two genes may be at increased risk of suffering depression after giving birth, a small new study suggests.More >> Although spring arrived late this year in parts of the United States, the summer allergy season will still be strong, according to a sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.More >> Although spring arrived late this year in parts of the United States, the summer allergy season will still be strong, according to a sinus expert at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.More >>
Cloetis Vickery visits the Blood & Cancer Center of East Texas each week. Earlier this year, Cloetis found out she has colon cancer and needs 18 rounds of chemotherapy. She says she chose to get her treatment here at Dr. Gary Gross's center, instead of a big clinic, because of the personal attention she receives.
"I feel like I am the most important person he has. He gives you that feeling of safety. That you don't have to be concerned because he's taking care of it," she says.
But she may have to find another doctor, and another treatment center thanks to proposed medicare cuts. Texas cancer care centers stand to loose 477 million dollars in federal funding.
"My goodness if they are going to cut that -- how can he possibly stay in business," questions Cloetis.
Dr. Gross says he couldn't. More than half of the 100 patients he sees each week are on medicare.
"If the medicare changes are made as now advertised we would not, we would be out of business - we would not be able to take care of our medicare patients with cancer at this facility," says Dr. Gross.
"It would be terrible. It is like having a death sentence," explains Cloetis. "I am sure if they (Congress) had cancer and were on medicare it would be a different story. They'd be wanting to fund more money."
Mrs. Vickery and Dr. Gross are trying to convince congress not to make the medicare cuts. Both are writing members of congress asking for support.
"I think if congress really made the effort to understand the issues in cancer care they would want to support a bill that simply pays more fairly for cancer services -- and if they do that we will be able to stay in business quality of care will improve," says Dr. Gross.
The cuts wouldn't just effect Texans. Nationwide cancer centers stand to lose 16 billion dollars in funding if congress passes the cuts. Congress is also considering legislation that would benefit cancer care centers.
