need to add title here

The Clinic Is Closed

April 6, 2009 1:41 AM

The current economic recession is affecting our nation's most vulnerable. Scott Pelley reports on a county hospital in Nev. that is closing an outpatient cancer clinic due to budget cuts.

Recent Segments
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Add a Comment See all 35 Comments
by snelson922004 September 20, 2009 8:44 PM EDT
It was very interesting to see your story about the cancer patients and the clinic that closed in Vegas. More important to me was you had Roy Scales in the article. I knew Roy when he lived in Wichita Ks and dated him in 1973. I found this story thru my son Roy Scales Jr. who was looking for some family history. It was amazing that my 33 year old son had a chance to see his father again after 19 years. More interesting is the fact that his daughter Francine Scales died in 1990 from cancer. Roy flew to Wichita to see his daughter and spent 1 hour with her before disappearing in the night. She died July 16, 1990. He never made contact with his son nor did he attend the funeral. My only wish is that he would have made peace with his son before his death. I hope that the people he left behind are a peace and will keep them in my prayers.
Reply to this comment
by Renee_E_B June 8, 2009 1:48 PM EDT
Roy Scales has passed away -- thank you for helping me get in touch with him.
Reply to this comment
by Ray3299 April 30, 2009 10:48 AM EDT
Sirs; Did you not run a story on 60 minutes, about the middle of 2008 about a doctor in this country who flew into a small community near Knoxville, Tenn. to offer free medical attention, to anyone who requested it free of charge, and at all at his own expense ??? He could only remain there about a week, and unfortunately had to turn away many. I would like to learn more about this wonderful person, and his team.
Reply to this comment
by wivan713 April 14, 2009 5:27 PM EDT
For individuals that suffer from Breast and Cervical Cancer but do not qualify for traditional Medicaid, there exist a special program that is available. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 - Public Law 106-354 provides a option for states to provide medical care. Please see link http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidSpecialCovCond/02_BreastandCervicalCancer_PreventionandTreatment.asp.
Reply to this comment
by number1beancounter April 13, 2009 6:47 PM EDT
What an ugly situation, our country sure has some mess up priorities ...... invaid a country and start a war because of ......... reasons the didn't exist??? ........ provide foreign aid to governments that have little respect for us ........... but we don't have $$$$$ to provide healthcare to our own population because they have no coverage ......... unless of course ....... YOUR IN "JAIL " !!!! The bottom line is "if you need healthcare bad enough, get yourself tossed into jail and you have full healthcare coverage"
Reply to this comment
by jdylag April 9, 2009 12:27 PM EDT
you have only scratched the surface of this mess. The whole story is on how UMC went from making a profit of $15 to 25million a year in the decade before to losing $50 million now. They took the money and started paying doctors millions instead . These doctors were giving big dollars to politicians[Harry Reid, etc].
This needs to be investigated. It's a shame!
Reply to this comment
by MichelleSeattle April 8, 2009 7:01 PM EDT
If you are in need of chemotherapy drugs or other drugs but cannot afford them you may find this resource helpful. www.needymeds.org. This web site lists drugs by there name and links you to assistance programs for free or low cost drugs. Many companies that make these drugs offer assistance programs. There is help out there. Don't give up!
Reply to this comment
by mmgold123 April 8, 2009 6:07 PM EDT
Dr. Nick Spirtos who was featured as a 'good guy' on your April 5th story THE RECESSION IMPACT: CLOSING THE CLINIC has bilked his gynecological oncology group of Doctors of $4 million, has multiple lawsuits against him and you can check the warnings he has received from the FDA. It is our opinion that you could do a better job of investigating the people you feature.
Reply to this comment
by PLF351 April 7, 2009 2:48 PM EDT
This is very disheartening as a Las Vegas resident. For all you weepers out there that opposed the Clinton health reforms and are opposing the current presidents efforts, here is what you have you have sown.

As far as Nevada goes, it is the second largest gold producer on the planet, yet can't or won't take care of its sick.

Shameful
Reply to this comment
by sbrarbop April 7, 2009 1:56 PM EDT
I am reliably informed that the situation is not as dire as reported. There are several for-profit hospitals across the state that take Medicaid and other indigent or low income patients. That is still no excuse for cutting services at a public hospital.
Reply to this comment
by MareIBCF April 7, 2009 1:32 PM EDT
It's so difficult to comprehend what I watched on 60 minutes a few days ago about the State of Nevada. My heart sank and I've never been able to understand why the United States has not taken care of their own before taking care of other countries. After watching this .. and thank you for airing this segment, it made me feel like we're living in a third world country. I'm speechless! How very sad and helpless I feel.
Reply to this comment
by MichaelaDvorak April 7, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
It is a shame that our nation is unable to take care of our own people. We have no qualms about going to another country and spending billions of dollars and yet we have no money for our own people. Show poor governmental management.
Reply to this comment
by pawsglo April 7, 2009 1:45 AM EDT
This truly is sad and my heart goes out to these patients. I will truly lift them up in prayer. America has failed them seriously somewhere something went wrong. God Bless
Reply to this comment
by pumpu2da April 7, 2009 1:18 AM EDT
This country has sunk to new lows. NO ONE should ever go hungry or homeless or denied medical care in this country! We are our brothers keeper. Shame! ....on the waste and greed of the wealthy and powerful, SHAME!...on the law makers that allow all this pain and suffering! BE informed, get involved, ..........band together. Help someone! If you can. Love one another.
Reply to this comment
by blacklab93534 April 7, 2009 12:03 AM EDT
"Dr. Nick Spiritos"
How can we reach this man and help him with donations? His sacrifice is something that should be recognized and duplicated across this nation.
Reply to this comment
by noskidnow April 6, 2009 10:03 PM EDT
One-trillion dollars in Iraq and counting. Only time will tell the ultimate outcome over there, but what is clear is that one-trillion dollars could have gone a long way toward insuring that any Amercian, no matter the size of his or her bank account, could get the same medical care as members of congress. Shame on the politicians who run the United States of America.
Reply to this comment
by RWeint April 6, 2009 9:24 PM EDT
Who could have ever imagined that something so horrendous could be happeneing in a country so great as ours. It truly boggles the mind when you consider all the money and aid we so generously give to people and countries outside of our nation. Is it possibe that a hospital thats so desperately needed is turning away from those so desperately in need. Not intentionally, they're given no choice. It seems that the choice to bailout the rich and powerful leaves the most important part of our nation to fall victim to what should be a basic entitlement, health insurance.Why isn't there money for hospitals? How can we keep giving Billions to banks yet we can't keep a hospital open to treat sick people who are dying. The priorities of our leaders are backwards to say the least. It seems that money ironically comes out of the woodwork again and again for the same lame ducks. I think The folks in Washington should put there thinking caps on and save this hospital and the people who are so dependent on it. Maybe it's time.that as Americans we be given the power to say who gets bailedout and who dosen't. Think about it, if we can vote for the next american idol using a cell phone why not a vote for the next bailout. I would like to send my heartfelt wishes to all the people seen on 60 minutes. I hope and pray that the story that 60 minutes brought to us sends a loud message, that it's time to help the people of our nation. This should NOT be happening
Reply to this comment
by JerseyGeoff April 6, 2009 3:25 PM EDT
Yet another obscenity in how we treat our fellow citizens. ONLY HR 676 S. 703 will cure this mess - single payer health care for all, paid for by all- everybody in and nobody out.
for more see healthcare-now.org.
We won't get it unless you call and write your legislators and demand they sign on to the bill.
Reply to this comment
by rick_coh April 6, 2009 2:17 PM EDT
Dr. Spiritos reminds us what we can do for each other, not just to ameliorate the impact of the current crisis but also to avoid another one. We need each other. That was the conclusion, and still is the driving force, of a few people (now a few hundred) who came together a year ago in Las Vegas to consider the question: When it comes to the health of the community, does it matter? Find out how this work continues (and how to be part of it) in Las Vegas and growing number of other communities at: www.communitiesofhealth.org.
Reply to this comment
by mysticlady2255 April 6, 2009 11:51 AM EDT
Shame on the medical community . Shame on us. How can we let the medical insurers, pharmaceutical corporations & the government get away with this type of treatment of our fellow citizens? This is what happens when people believe politicians & right wing talk radio hosts spout garbage about "reducing big government" & how we have to take responsibility for our own health care through their health insurance/corporate donors. Wise up folks, it's only going to get worse. It is good to see a doctor like Dr. Spiritos who honors his Hippocratic oath.
Reply to this comment
See all 35 Comments
  • Rooney Not Negative? Rooney Not Negative?

    1:58 November 29, 2009

  • The Great Explorer, Part 2 The Great Explorer, Part 2

    9:21 November 29, 2009

  • The Great Explorer, Part 1 The Great Explorer, Part 1

    14:13 November 29, 2009

  • Congo's Gold Congo's Gold

    13:23 November 29, 2009

  • Web Extra: Greed and Chaos Web Extra: Greed and Chaos

    1:17 November 29, 2009

  • Web Extra: A Blind Eye Web Extra: A Blind Eye

    0:51 November 29, 2009