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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Revels Etcetera Backpage Hot Topics Most Viewed Forum Photo Galleries Video Readers Polls O-Zone Online Games Movie Preview Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Top Galleries: December 13, 2006 Uninsured woman deals with bills, surgery By Alan Panebaker Ashland Daily Tidings Shani Di Stefano As if the threat of cancer wasn't enough of a crisis, Shani Di Stefano, also faced $12,000 in medical bills without medical insurance, while still grieving over the death of her step-son. The synergistic tragedies haven't broken the Ashland woman. Instead, they served as a catalyst of healing and friendship that will culminate with a benefit concert at the Historic Ashland Armory, organized by her son's fiancee. Di Stefano spent years coping with severe dysplasia spotted on her uterus, fearing cervical cancer. She finally went to a specialist in November and had surgery Nov. 29. While both she and her husband work full-time, neither receive health insurance benefits. Kate Williams, who was engaged to be married to Di Stefano's step-son, Evian Di Stefano, stepped in to organize the benefit concert on Friday to help raise money for Shani's medical bills. Evian, who was a leader at Ashland High School, died this spring on a remote road in the Columbia River Gorge. The state medical examiner's office ultimately reported he died of an overdose of hydrocodone — a painkiller frequently sold under the brand name Vicodin. "Everyone's had a really tough time," Williams said. "The most beautiful thing is how we've come together, even though the price was high." After Evian's death, friends worked on small steps to carry on his memory — like a tribute Web site and bumper stickers with his favorite Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., quote "Everything was beautiful, and nothing hurt." When Williams found the family faced yet another hardship, she got to work, booked the armory and found local artists who were willing to play for free to raise money for Di Stefano. As Shani Di Stefano recovers from her surgery, she said the magnitude of the year is fading away, and she is grateful for Williams and the community's help. BENEFIT PERFORMANCE When: Friday, Dec. 15 Time: 6 p.m. Where: Historic Ashland Armory (208 Oak St.) "It's just been an overwhelming year with losing Evian and everything," Di Stefano said. The frustrating part, she said, is the fact that she works full-time, but she and three children who live in the home are uninsured. Di Stefano, 38, could not afford health insurance on her own but makes too much money to receive subsidies. "It's ridiculous for us who are holding on to the middle class but aren't considered in need," she said. Plight of the uninsured Di Stefano is among about 600,000 Oregonians without health insurance and about 30,000 Jackson County residents, according to estimates from the state department of human services. At the county level, about 80 percent of physicians participate in a voluntary physicians access to care program that offers health care to people in need. Di Stefano said she did not qualify for the program. Jackson County Commissioner Dave Gilmour, a physician himself, said the number of people in the county who are under-insured appears to be growing. "Almost every week, I have patients who want medications called to pharmacies without coming in to be seen since they have lost insurance and can not afford office visits," Gilmour wrote in an e-mail to the Tidings on Tuesday. "That approach is obviously substandard care." Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, who chairs the Senate Commission on Health Care Access and Affordability and is also a doctor, said the health care system in Oregon produces too many patients like Di Stefano who wait to see a specialist because they cannot afford it. The commission just released a draft plan to re-vamp the way the health care system in Oregon works. "There's enough money in the system to insure everybody, it's just being misused," Bates said. Bates and Sen. Ben Westlund, I-Tumalo, are also working with former Gov. John Kitzhaber and the Archimedes Movement to make sure every Oregon resident has access to health care. Bates said the system needs to focus on more preventative care so that every woman has access to complete physical examinations and so people who are diagnosed with cancer do not simultaneously have to worry about losing their assets. The commission's plan and proposed legislation, Bates said, would pool all of the money that goes into the Oregon health care system into one large pool which would be overseen by an 11-member Oregon Health Care Trust Fund Commission. If the 2007 Legislature approves the commission's proposed plan, it would give every Oregonian a health card that could be used to buy a complete health care package — including dental, mental health and vision coverage — for less than most businesses and individuals now pay, commissioners said. The commission's plan will be refined into a bill that will go to a Senate committee early next year for further debate. Commission members will be asked to keep meeting as the bill works its way through the Legislature. If the bill passes, it will establish only the trust fund commission and a small semi-independent agency that will work out details for the plan, including costs, Bates said. Then, after about 18 months, the Legislature would have to pass another bill to put money into the fund. Proposed legislation could offer relief for Di Stefano and her debts, but not any time soon. Oregonians may not see health cards before 2009, depending on the legislative process. But with Williams effort and the success of the fund-raiser on Friday night, more immediate help is at hand, leaving Di Stefano with some hope that the dark clouds of the previous years, could finally be lifting. "She's just amazing that she's done this," Di Stefano said of Willams. "I've only known her for a year and a half." Staff writer Alan Panebaker can be reached at 482-3456 x 227 or [email protected] . Current Comments: I love you Shani and hope that there is an excellent turnout! Amy - Ashland - December 13th, 2:16 PM Shani is a great woman, who has raised beautiful and amazing children. It is unfortunate what she and many other Americans have to face with health care. Shani and her family are some of the most amazing and strongest people I have ever met and I am so glad our community is coming together and doing this for her family, as they have struggled enough this year. Thanks Kate, and anyone else involved. I will definitly be at the concert friday! http://www.wecandobetter.org Marie - Ashland - December 13th, 3:06 PM This is a terrible thing that is happening. Blame it on the corridor or whatever, but really, police should ride bikes and get on foot a little more and patrol closer. I have a gps tracking device in my car, if it gets stolen, i go online and there it is. It's happened twice, I almost gave the theft a heart attack, them I turned him in. Those interested in mobile gps systems can email me and I'll tell you more about them. Mark ( [email protected] ) - Talent, OR - December 13th, 4:00 PM Please let me know when and where the concert is and we will get a mention in the talent times so the town of Talent is aware. Brian ( [email protected] ) - Talent, OR - December 13th, 4:04 PM You Go Kate!!! Sara - Portland,OR - December 15th, 5:41 PM Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.