I was reading with great interest about Kaiser’s radiation services and came across what I have been wondering about for the past few weeks.
How is that a healthcare provider like Kaiser has only two(yes 2) radiation equipped facilities in all of Southern California?
At this is not a new complaint.
Here’s a few postings from the Yahoo
Kaiser Permanente Medical Care
(909) 988-0379
2295 S Vineyard Ave, #A, Ontario, CA 91761

Kaiser’s ability to provide Radiation Oncology service to its members is miserable at best. Only 2 centers to provide services for a service area that is over 100 miles in diameter. With the cost of gas and the traffic on freeways. this is a NON acceptable service. Someone should alert the Department of Health Services and Medicare that this is asking people too much for treatment.

Ronald M

I couldnt agree with you more! My parents are on a fixed income and have been going back and forth to the Dr’s now for 3months (this is when my dad had been first diagnosed with lung cancer) Still to this day it has been nothing but back and forth back and forth and they still have not even started any radiation or chemo! The price of gas and wear and tear on the car from Victorville to Fontana to Ontario is absolutely ridiculous! I Think they figure the longer they go maybe they wont have to treat him at all! This is very poor healthcare and it will only get worse if we get the Universal Health Care that the Democrats so badly want. (talk to people in Canada about their Universal Healthcare and how long it takes them to even get to see a Doctor!) We need to work on the healthcare system we have now not start from scratch on a whole new system, this will only delay what could possibly be a great system,if the right people get in their to fix it.

Nancy
There is actually a mileage reinbursement program via the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345). Also, if you call that number, they also may be able to hook you up wth volunteers within the community who transport patients w/cancer diagnoses to/from appointments. I know there are 2 shuttles that transport patients as well, but am uncertain where the shuttles come from. Contact the social worker there and he/she will be able to assist you.

– the reimbursement program is only if you have to drive 50 miles or more.
Here’s the info:
Transportation Reimbursement
1-800-ACS-2345
Lincoln 402-423-4888
Patient must be actively undergoing
treatment for cancer and reside 50 miles
or more from the closest treatment
center. Provides mileage reimbursement
for cancer patients receiving treatment at
the rate of $.05 per mile, up to $150, for
trips taken in the current fiscal year.
Only trips for treatment (radiation,
chemotherapy, and surgery) are
reimbursable. Check-ups, blood tests,
and follow-up visits are not eligible.

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