The Childhood Cancer Ombudsman Program provides complaint investigation and resolution
for families of children with cancer and adult survivors of childhood cancer. We provide
information and research options to families so that they may better exercise their rights
in making decisions in the areas of medical treatment, schooling, rehabilitation,
employment, and insurance coverage.
We work with and refer to local cooperating attorneys in some cities, cancer and other
disability organizations, protection and advocacy organizations, independent living
centers, state departments of vocational rehabilitation, regional developmental
disabilities centers, the President's and governors' committees on the employment of
persons with disabilities, regional ADA centers, and medical and other specialists in
academic medical practice who have volunteered to provide medical record reviews and
answer specific questions about treatment options and alternatives.
You can contact us directly or ask your nurse, social worker, or physician to contact
us. We serve all 50 states and US territories and US citizens working abroad.
We research and answer questions on The Americans with Disabilities Act, The
Rehabilitation Act, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, social security
programs for disability insurance and Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, including
community based waivers, Cobra, family medical leave laws and certain state medical leave
acts, health and life insurance policies -- analysts and application, individualized
education plans and related services including OT/PT (occupational and physical therapy),
psychotherapy, transportation, technology assessment, technical assistance to attorneys
who represent families, parents and childhood cancer survivors, job search assistance,
information on paratransit and transportation services (aviation, train, or bus) for
survivors, and for families in the military we answer questions on Champus and programs
such as Exceptional Family Member.
We are a resource for disability attorneys and advocates, government attorneys,
schools, pediatric oncology clinics, departments of vocational rehabilitation, primary and
oncology physicians and caseworkers. We can provide disability awareness, medical,
psychosocial and legal literature, information on late effects, and analysis on informed
consents, terms and conditions of health plans and access to a volunteer second
opinion/record review by specialists in many areas of medicine. We are happy to provide
information and training referrals to these public and private entities.
How we work
We interview you and request copies of documents that will enable us to analyze your
issue. As an alternative we can provide intake forms for you to fill out and send back
with the necessary documentation. Your privacy is protected. Your concerns and
documentation are shared only with the professionals who will be helping provide you with
the information you need in your particular situation. If you meet our guidelines we will
provide assistance to you. Your cooperation and communication with us is essential if we
agree to take your case. Case by case analysis means that your case is different than
other families cases, so the outcomes may be different. We do not provide financial
assistance or pay attornes fees. We never provide health insurance or money for medical
treatment. We cannot help you look for private health insurance unless you are off
treatment for your cancer. We do not take cases where you have another authorized
representative handling your matter. You must disclose whether another attorney or other
representative is working on you problem. We may be able to assist your representative but
this is determined on a case by case basis.
Who we are
Grace Powers Monaco is an attorney with over 30 years of experience in
health/medical care law and problem solving for families of children with cancer,
including insurance access and discrimination, employment issues, health fraud and
misrepresentation, and informed consent. She is the elected public trustee for the United
States Pharmacopoeia Convention which sets drug formulation standards and provides health
information for physicians and the public. She has served as the consumer/public
representative on the Food and Drug Administration's Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee.
She also serves on the Data Monitoring Committee and Tissue Bank Committee for the
Pediatric Oncology Group. Her daughter, Kathleen Rea, died at age four of leukemia in
1970.
Gib Smith, Esq., is an adult survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and
a law school graduate whose areas of specialty are insurance reimbursement, second
opinions, the ADA and the military. He has spent the last several years advocating for
families of children with cancer and adult survivors of childhood cancer. He has also
coordinated several fund raisers for area charities, including The Childhood Brain Tumor
Foundation, Make a Wish Foundation, and the NIH Pediatric Oncology wing.
We can be contacted through CBTF by phone, mail, or e-mail.