Is High-Profile Convicted Killer Getting Better Cancer Treatments?

July 23, 2008— -- While many Americans with brain cancer may be largely left to fend for themselves financially in the face of million-dollar treatments, the $1.4 million in medical costs that convicted murderer and former Manson follower Susan Atkins has incurred since March is a cost entirely covered by the state of California.

It's a situation that may leave many wondering what kind of medical care prisoners should receive and whether taxpayers should be stuck with the bill.

Last week, the California Board of Parole denied a request for a court hearing for Atkins' release from prison. Atkins, who has a brain tumor, is paralyzed on the right side of her body and has had a leg amputated.

The debate over her release has spurred the question: Does arguably the nation's second most famous brain cancer sufferer -- behind Sen. Edward Kennedy -- also receive the second-best care in the nation?

"I dare say that apart from the president and the members of Congress, the people with the best health care in this country are inmates," said Dr. Joshua Atiba, the medical director and CEO of Newport Oncology and Healthcare, which delivers cancer treatment to inmates in prisons in California.

Atkins gained notoriety for her involvement in the murders of actress Sharon Tate and hairdresser Jay Sebring as a member of the Manson family -- a group led by Charles Manson, who is serving a life sentence for the murders. Atkins has spent the last 37 years in prison.

Messages left on the cell phone and in the office of Atkins' attorney, Eric Lampel, were not returned.

According to Terry Thornton, a public information officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Atkins has been hospitalized in an unnamed facility since March 18, when she was moved from the California Institution for Women in Corona, Calif. She is in serious condition and her prognosis is poor, but her vital signs are stable.

The practice of moving an inmate from a prison to an outside hospital is common practice when care cannot be provided inside the prison, Thornton said.

Atiba said that in this case it was likely done both because Atkins cannot move to take care of herself and to avoid mistreatment at the hands of other prisoners.

"Other inmates would beat her up," he said. "She requires around-the-clock care."

But he noted that the move to the hospital has undoubtedly increased the cost.