Was Bogus Story That Bogus?

04/08/2008 07:13:52


WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton has stopped telling a story of a pregnant woman's medical tragedy after an Ohio hospital challenged its accuracy last weekend.    

But recent accounts of the episode have omitted key details that suggest there was more truth in the essence of Clinton's tale than her critics acknowledged.    

The New York senator has often spoken about 35-year-old Trina Bachtel, a young Ohio woman who began having problems with her pregnancy. She said the woman was twice turned away by a local hospital because she had no health insurance and could not pay a $100 minimum charge.    

The woman's aunt, Susie Casto, says Bachtel did have health insurance when she and her baby died.    

But at an earlier time, Casto says Bachtel lacked health insurance and ran up unpaid bills when treated at a clinic near her home in Middleport.

When she returned for treatment when pregnant, the clinic demanded $100 per visit to help retire the outstanding debt. Her aunt said because Bachtel could not afford the fees and found it difficult to travel, she postponed receiving treatment.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
   APTV-04-08-08 0131EDT

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