No Transplant for Woman in Religious Freedom Case

Associated Press - Wed 10:12 AM 07/25/2012

Kansas officials had argued that a bloodless transplant was not
a medical necessity.

Kansas officials had argued that a bloodless transplant was not a medical necessity.

A Kansas woman's victory in a religious freedom case came too late for her to get a life-saving liver transplant.

Mary Stinemetz of Hill City is terminally ill with chronic liver disease.

The 65-year-old woman is a Jehovah's Witness, a religion that forbids blood transfusions.

She won a legal battle last year that forced the state to pay for a transplant in Nebraska that did not require a blood transfusion.

Kansas officials had argued that a bloodless transplant was not a medical necessity, and Steinmetz's religion should not determine insurance coverage.

The Kansas City Star reported Tuesday the legal victory came too late for Stinemetz.

By the time she won, her condition deteriorated so much that she was not eligible for a new liver.

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evilklown

Wednesday 25 July 2012 10:54 Report this comment

So now the State is to bow before some pagan religious group's narrow minded views and use our tax dollars to accomplish it? You can't be too demanding when you need a transplant, either you want to live or die.

whitey51

Wednesday 25 July 2012 11:04 Report this comment

All's well that ends well!

GetAGrip

Wednesday 25 July 2012 17:43 Report this comment

I guess I don't get it. Why in the hell should taxpayer's be forced to fund an operation just because of someone's choice of religion. This person chose to be a JoHo, and should have known the restrictions of the religion. Taxpayers did not fund any of my families operations, we PAID and are still paying. BS if you ask me!

SalinaSenior

Thursday 26 July 2012 08:26 Report this comment

When you are stupid, you suffer for it.

SalinaSenior

Thursday 26 July 2012 08:28 Report this comment

It sounds as crazy as the mormons are. Romney 2012!

t-bone

Thursday 26 July 2012 11:08 Report this comment

screw romney and everybody that looks like romney and everybody that supports that liar, coniver, cheat, and all around evil man. who'd vote for someone tthat looks like butthead.

SalinaSenior

Thursday 26 July 2012 12:40 Report this comment

Mormonism is a such weird non-christian cult. I am not sure which one is crazier Mormons or Scientology. I rather have an atheist president over these cults, at least I would understand him/her a little.