Texan wants a fighting chance

DENNIS FIVECOAT, PA-C

552 Thoreau Trail • Schertz, TX 78154 • 702.497.1921 • Den5Coat@yahoo.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Texan wants a fighting chance; Birth defect is causing liver failure

Dallas, TX October 26, 2010 - Health care costs are a major political issue this election. While insurance companies wait for politics to prevail, one Texan finds himself caught in the middle - with his life at stake.

Stephen Dikovitsky needs a new liver. That is not because he abused alcohol or illegal drugs. Stephen was born with a condition known as biliary atresia – a problem with the common bile duct of the liver. A surgical procedure performed as an infant provided him with borrowed time. Stephen is now 23 years old and his time is running out.

To be placed on a waiting list for a suitable liver, a patient must get the costs approved by an insurance company… or submit a down payment of $300,000. After a transplant, the medical costs continue to go up.  Prescription drugs are needed to prevent his body from “rejecting” the organ. There will also need to be follow-up care and steps to prevent other illnesses that weaken the liver.

For now, Stephen just hopes to get on the waiting list. Stephen and his father Mike are trying to maintain positive thoughts. Mike tells us, “Medicaid says they will consider our case. However, every day we wait is a threat to Stephen’s survival. It gets complicated and it takes time. After all that, they can still say no. It’s a lot of money.”

If you ever get mad when thinking about your medical insurance options, talk to someone born with a liver defect. It is difficult to get even the most basic coverage. Insurance companies do not want to take on costs that are categorized as “pre-existing conditions.” The more costly the pre-existing condition, the more likely you are to be denied coverage. Even “guaranteed” medical insurance from an employer is no guarantee. If you can get coverage, it can be just about impossible to afford.

Although it is illegal for an employer to consider medical coverage as criteria for hiring, it happens all the time – and is difficult to investigate and prosecute.

If you ever want to feel better about your resume or job prospects, talk to someone born with a liver defect.

“I wanted to join the military or maybe become a police officer,” says Stephen. “I would like to be one of those people who help others. Sometimes that kind of thinking just makes things worse. I guess I just always looked up to my dad. Of course I work when I can, but no one has offered me a job that covers me medically.”

Stephen’s father, Mike Dikovitsky served in the US Army and then worked as a Dallas area police officer.  He now owns US Small Arms Training School – a small business that provides firearm training to military, law enforcement, and private citizens. “Stephen can often help me,” Mike says. “He has good days and bad days. He has earned several training certifications and he really excels at maintaining our good safety record. I just can’t find him coverage for his condition.”

When asked about the upcoming election, Mike’s face takes on a look only a parent would recognize. “I try not to blame anyone,” he says. “I wish I could talk to Governor Perry or someone who is running this time.  I would like to tell them about my son’s situation. I know they are busy and we are just regular people. I can’t help them get elected. I just want my son to be OK. I would do just about anything.”

Legend has it that on March 5th, 1836, Colonel William Travis drew his sword upon the ground of the Alamo. There he challenged his men to cross a line in the sand, and stand beside him for the Texan cause.  Texans all know this story since about the time they could understand words. The desperate and heroic decision inside the Alamo has touched us all at an early age.

Now, Texas has a young man that did not decide upon a line in the sand. His situation was thrust upon him –

and he too, just wants a fighting chance.

For information:Contact: den5coat@yahoo.com or Dikovitsky@sbcglobal.net

Phone: 702-497-1921

Send checks payable to:

Stephen Dikovitsky

Liver Donation Fund

C/O Bank Representative

Heather Warren or

Angie Castillo

Wells Fargo Bank

557 E Ovilla Road

Red Oak, TX 75154

Or

Jennifer T. Wells, MD

Liver Transplant Specialist

Baylor Hospital Dallas

214 820-8500