Late Tuesday evening PacifiCare caved.

That's right, PacifiCare was shamed by you and the immense outpouring of citizen outrage and activism, into authorizing the medically necessary treatment for Nick Colombo.

Here's a brief clip from the demonstration yesterday at the headquarters of PacifiCare in Cypress, California.

As you read this, keep in mind the power of citizen outrage and citizen activism.  I've been told in several emails that our power is being carefully scrutinized by the insurance industry, they're even getting rather nervous.

The sleeping giant American people are finally waking up.

Patient Revolt works.

Pacificare folds, just like Cigna did with Nataline. Hopefully this time it won't be too late. Say a prayer tonight for 17-year-old Nick Colombo.

Health insurer PacifiCare reversed its denial of advanced radiation treatment for a Placentia teenager, but the youth's supporters went ahead with a scheduled demonstration while waiting to see the company's decision in writing.

The family of 17-year-old Nick Colombo was notified last night that PacifiCare would pay the estimated $100,000 bill for radiation treatment at the Mid America Sarcoma Institute in Kansas City. The family is hoping treatment can begin by next week.

But word of PacifiCare's decision came on the eve of a planned protest, after news of the boy's plight spread and friends started helping raise money for the treatment.

PacifiCare, according to Liz Jacobs of the California Nurses Assn., "capitulated when (Nick's story) went all over the Internet."

Here we go again.

Is it about one per quarter now? If this goes as well as the first did - maybe buried in election hysteria instead of Christmas (the distraction that worked so well last time) - maybe they can squeeze in two or three more before Christmas '08.

What a quarter that will be!

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Nyceve wrote [another] very important diary today.

Pacificare denies 17-year-old cancer patient lifesaving treatment

Remember Nataline Sarkisyan?

Well here we go again.

We're facing an eerily similar situation.  A phone call from you may help save another child's life from the depraved indifference of Pacificare.  Who owns Pacificare? Who else?  UnitedHealth.

The family and the nurses are  urgently appealing to the public to call PacifiCare at 714-828-1821 or Tyler Mason, the UnitedHealth/Pacificare spokesperson at 714-226-3530 and demand they provide the care Nick needs.

It was my first news of this action by Pacificare.

Remember Nataline Sarkisyan?

Well here we go again.

We're facing an eerily similar situation.  A phone call from you may help save another child's life from the depraved indifference of Pacificare.  Who owns Pacificare? Who else?  UnitedHealth.

Here's the background.

I've received several urgent emails from the heroes at California Nurses Association about this developing situation.

Today I'm going to tell you about Nick Columbo. Nick is only 17 years old and has Ewing’s Sarcoma (bone cancer). His insurer, Pacifi care death, is denying him a treatment which doctors think may save his life.

The family and the nurses are  urgently appealing to the public to call PacifiCare at 714-828-1821 or Tyler Mason, the UnitedHealth/Pacificare spokesperson at 714-226-3530 and demand they provide the care Nick needs.