Conclusion
[Narrator]
There are so many different stories about how people have managed to find and get cancer care in spite of their lack of insurance. It is impossible to include examples of every problem. But, the survivors' stories that have been shared here do give helpful hints and ideas for coping with common problems that arise when people without insurance face cancer. Any or all of the six basic skills described in the Cancer Survival Toolbox can play major roles, depending on the problems that arise, in finding and getting quality cancer care - even without health care insurance. In plotting out a plan for finding and paying for care, consider using the six basic skills in a step-wise order. First step: Tell or talk to others about what problems might come up - or describe hopes, fears, and frustrations. This allows family members, friends, and members of the health care team the chance to offer help. Second - find solid, accurate information, or find someone to help you get this information. Find out what the possibilities are, and clearly identify your wishes and what it is that you need. Third, use your problem-solving skills to work through difficult situations, and help you go on to the Fourth step of making good decisions. A fifth step might involve negotiating - a sort of "give and take" process. Negotiation skills help you bargain with others - and in that process, clearly define roles and responsibilities as you deal with the cancer diagnosis and treatment. All of these skills combined are critical to knowing and standing up for your rights, the sixth skill, as a cancer survivor. It is true that finding and getting this care might mean that the survivor, the survivor's friends or family members, or anyone on the "health care team" will need to step up and take on some extra tasks to secure these important health care services. But, help is there, and so is quality cancer care.
