I'm not very political when it comes to the topic of Universal Healthcare.  Like Mongo from Blazing Saddles, I'm just a pawn in this game of life...

But as a media/news consumer, I know a potential tipping point when I see one.  And a sad story that makes you value a lot of the things you take for granted.  Especially during the holidays.

Here's the headline - "Health Insurance Company Denies, Then Belatedly Approves Liver Transplant That May Have Saved The Girl".   Here's a clip from CBStv in Los Angeles:

"A 17-year-old girl from Northridge died Thursday night, just hours after insurance giant CIGNA reversed itself and agreed to approve a liver transplant for the cancer survivor.

CIGNA originally declined to pay for the transplant for Nataline Sarkisyan because her plan does not cover "experimental, investigational and unproven services," her doctors said.

The reversal was announced at the rally attended by a crowd estimated by organizers at 150. Hundreds of telephone callers also clogged lines at CIGNA offices around the nation Thursday on Nataline's behalf.

"This is an incredible turnaround generated by a massive outpouring around the country that proves that an engaged public can make a difference and achieve results," said Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee, one of the rally's organizers."

Unfortunately, the reversal came too late:

"Nataline was diagnosed with leukemia at age 14. After two years of treatment the cancer went into remission but came back this summer, Sarkisyan told the Daily News.

When doctors said Nataline could use a bone-marrow transplant, the Sarkisyans discovered that her only sibling, Bedig, 21, was a match, and he donated his bone marrow the day before Thanksgiving, the newspaper reported.

However, Nataline developed a complication from the bone-marrow transplant and, because her liver was failing, doctors recommended a transplant, according to an appeal letter sent to CIGNA earlier this month, the Daily News reported.

The Sarkisyans filed an appeal with the California Department of Insurance, which sent a letter this week saying it needed more information."

So hug your family over the next couple of days as you celebrate Christmas or whatever holiday your faith recommends. 

A nice gift idea for you last minute shoppers?  How about a Carpe Diem T-Shirt to remind you and your loved ones that tomorrow isn't guaranteed?