UPDATE: At the Star Tribune, Briana Bierschbach has more in Late Rep. Jim Hagedorn's family sues his widow for medical expenses:
Family members of the late U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn are suing his widow, Jennifer Carnahan, to recoup medical expenses related to treatments he received in Arizona before his death.
Two lawsuits filed in district court Monday by Hagedorn's mother, stepfather and sister allege they helped pay for cancer treatments he received at Envita Medical Centers after he was told he had exhausted his options at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
If those treatments weren't successful, Carnahan made a "clear and definite promise" to use the inheritance she was to receive after his death to reimburse his family members, according to both lawsuits.
Carnahan, who is running to replace her husband in Congress, said in a statement that her husband's estate is required to go through the probate process in the courts to "determine the disposition of assets in accordance with Minnesota law."
"There is nothing further we are allowed to do at this time," she added. "I wish Jim's family well and know this time has been very difficult for all of us." . . .
Read the rest at the Star Tribune. [end update]
A Wednesday morning tweet by Blois Olson's Morning Take generated some discussion:
DEVELOPING: Congressional candidate Jennifer Carnahan is being sued for reimbursement of a loan taken by the family for cancer treatment received by the late Congressman Rep. Jim Hagedorn by Hagedorn's mother and step-father. #mn01
— Morning Take (@morningtake) May 18, 2022
FILING: https://t.co/quZ7kT2D0q
Here's the document:
This document and others related to the case can be found via Minnesota Court Records Online by entering case number 22CO2234.
While the attention on twitter was about the rift between the widow and the late congressman's mother and father-in-law, we were more taken by points outlining the reason for the loan to the Jim Hagedorn family:
2. In January of 2022, Decendent was informed by the Mayo Clinic that it had exhausted its options for treating his cancer.
3. Decedent and Defendant made the decision for the Decendent to obtain treatment at Envita Medical Centers in Scottsdale, AZ ("Envita")
4. Decedent's health insurance did not cover the costs associated with the treatment by Envita.
That made us pause. First, congressional members receive good health insurance benefits, though not as good as debunked internet memes assert.
Second it partly confirmed a tip that a source in Blue Earth County had sent shortly after Congressman Hagedorn's death: that Hagedorn had left treatment at the Mayo Clinic and gone to Arizona for other treatment. The Envita site publishes articles such as Insurance-Based Care Limits Personalized Precision Cancer Treatment Options. That matched the description of the care, though the source was more skeptical about the treatments.
We find ourselves pausing at Envita's Disclaimer:
Envita doesn't make any guarantee of outcomes. Results are not typical and will vary from person to person and should not be expected. The information provided on this Site is for educational purposes only. Envita makes no guarantees or promises. You should not expect the same outcomes as the patient testimonials. Please consult a physician before beginning any treatment program or making any adjustments in your healthcare, diet, and /or lifestyle. Do not remove yourself from any prescribed medications or treatments without consulting your doctor. Any and all dietary supplements or nutritional products and treatments discussed on this Site are not FDA- approved and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. The information contained in this website is for general information and educational purposes only. While we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied. None of the dietary supplements or nutritional products discussed on this Site are FDA-approved, and they are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or illness. Not all treatments provided by Envita are FDA approved for the diagnosis and treatment of any diseases. This Site and its services are for consumer educational use only. Nothing contained in this Site is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medicine. Users should always seek the advice of a physician with any questions regarding their health or medical conditions. Never disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical advice or following the advice of a physician because of something you have seen or read on this Site. Not all of Envita's treatments are available in the United States some treatment is offered to Hermosillo, Mexico. No guarantees are made for any of Envita's treatments anywhere. Please consult a physician or oncologist prior to starting any treatment.
In the Daily Beast article, Inside a Widow’s Scorched-Earth Bid for Her Husband’s Old Seat in Congress, Sam Brodey reports:
Despite being based largely in the Twin Cities in her political career, Carnahan signed up to be a delegate from Faribault County, where the town is located. It is possible to register as a delegate remotely, and Wear said that on Feb. 1, Carnahan was with Hagedorn in Arizona, where he was receiving treatment. . . .
Our source had claimed that Hagedorn had died in Arizona, but the Faribault County Register reported in Replacing Congressman Hagedorn that "Hagedorn died on Thursday evening, Feb. 17, in Rochester." Earlier it had reported on February 20 in Rep. Jim Hagedorn died last Thursday:
"“Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully on Feb. 17,” a statement from his campaign office stated. “He was surrounded by his wife, Jennifer, extended family, and friends."
We're glad he made it home to Southern Minnesota.
We've had many friends stricken with cancer, and some have sought alternative or non FDA-approved treatments when their physicians gave them grim news. Other than a Vietnam veteran friend in Philadelphia, none of these folks are still with us.
We can only feel sadness that Congressman Hagedorn's expense didn't do better than Mayo Clinic--and that his mother's loan has not been repaid.
Photo: The late Jim Hagedorn (foreground, red shirt) campaigning in Rochester during the pandemic. Source: Rochester Post Bulletin.
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