Dying Woman's Electricity Stays On After CNN Viewers Contact Power Company

CNN viewers concerned about the welfare of a stage 4 cancer patient in Texas have paid her bill and prevented her power from being shut off.

Mabel Randon told CNN Houston affiliate KHOU Tuesday that she couldn't sleep because she's afraid her oxygen machine will be shut off by the electricity company before morning.

"I'm fighting for my life and I thought people at the power company would help me," Randon said. "I just thought they'd make some kind of exception for me."

Randon and her husband got behind on their electricity after her husband lost his job. She applied to CenterPoint Energy's "Critical Care Program," but was told she failed to meet the program's criteria because she could have bought a battery-operated oxygen machine.

CNN reported Wednesday that public outrage about Randon's situation has prompted the Public Utility Commission of Texas to review her situation. The commission told CNN that they will keep Randon's power on until they finish reviewing her case. CNN was unable to reach Randon's electricity company, Freedom Power.

In an effort to find out how readers could help Randon and express their concern for her situation, Impact contacted Freedom Power, now known as Penstar Power.

A spokeswoman for the company told Impact that they have had Randon's account on hold since July and have no plans to disconnect her power. "The disconnect notice was generated automatically," the spokeswoman said.

Penstar power received a mass of phone calls following Tuesday's broadcast and concerned callers who saw the CNN broadcast have also paid the $188.88 outstanding amount on Randon's account, the spokeswoman told Impact.

"For now the bill has been paid off and we're just going to continue to work with this couple."

Comments

[Sarazzara]

What Dems08 posted below bears repeating. For the activists among us:

Randon and her husband got behind on their electricity after her husband lost his job.

She applied to CenterPoint Energy's "Critical Care Program," but was told she failed to meet the program's criteria because she could have bought a battery-operated oxygen machine.

Care to let Centerpoint Energy know what you think about them denying Randon help through their critical care program?

http://www.centerpointenergy.com/about/contact/email/

Or better yet, call their corporate headquarters:

713-207-1111

[bflaska]

"In an effort to find out how readers could help Randon and express their concern for her situation, Impact contacted Freedom Power, now known as Penstar Power.

Freedom Power, now known as Penstar Power. (Dragnet music) I don't think they changed their name to protect the innocent.

[kareemachan]

She could have just gotten a battery-driven device? Where would she get the money to do that? Do these people actually think about what they say?

[Bacygirl]

I have never understood why the American people have allowed themselves to be terrorized by utility companies. The natural resources of a state should belong to all the people of that state. Just like all the people of Alaska share in the oil profits.

Since utilities started trading on the market, they've become profit driven entities just are just greedy and heartless. Except for maintaining their infrastructure, salaries and equipment, the power companies should not have exclusivity in the ownership and profit of mutually held natural resources.

That's my take on it.

Glad Mabel doesn't have that worry on her mind anymore. Thank God for the good, decent people who paid her bill.

[GrrlCanada]

Many good things can come out of such a story of potential tragedy: many people had a chance to practice compassion, the true colours of some people were suddenly seen by those who had been blind to it and this woman and her husbad got to experience God through the hands of many earthly angels.

God bless this woman, her family and all the people who came to her aid. You make this earth a place like heaven.

[Sarazzara]

A Special Note to Mabel Randon:

I'm sure I speak for many when I say we are truly sorry for your ordeal.

I hope you know you are in our hearts and take comfort knowing that so many people across the nation care about what has happened to you.

And many of us will continue to fight the good fight to ensure this doesn't continue to occur to other people in such tough spots.

[Peter Noble 2]

Beyond cruel to issue a notice of termination. In this Republic, electricity should never, ever be cut off. If we can find trillions for banks and wars we can find money for all our citizens.
It's just endless: the evil of American Capitalism....

[soulgirl]

GREED AT ITS BEST-HOW DO THESE BE CORPORATIONS AND COMPANIES LOOK IN THE MIRROR? MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT THIS WOMAN IS IN-MAYBE WE SHOULD BE SENDING OUR BILLS TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES AND HAVE THEM PAY THEM. THAT MIGHT WAKE THE GOPERS UP!

GREED, WITH, POWER, MONEY AND WAR HAS BROUGHT US HERE-WHO ?THE REPUBLICANS

[CentristScientist]

That's great that people want to help this woman and CNN is facilitating that.

However, why can't the same sympathy be roused for the millions of americans who are facing similar horrible situations where they literally are worried that their lack of money will cause them to die imminently?

[Sarazzara]

So this is what a free market and efficient "corporate model" yields. Unthinking, uncaring policy, lack of compassion for individual suffering. Outright cruelty.

Simply put, corporations don't have a conscience and we have not structured our free market economy with the requisite ethical underpinnings to allow it to take care of those in need.

As I posted elsewhere on this thread, we have come to the point in out society where we have to have an attention-getting media story and telethons to cover the basic, and often dire, needs of our fellow citizens.

Tax cuts for the rich? Is this how it's meant to work?

I am ashamed of what our society has become.

[AntiVIgilante]

Yeah the free market just paid her bill. It's not a magic wand. YOU HAVE TO USE THAT FREEDOM AND YOU CAN'T EXPECT OTHERS TO DO SO.

If you care use it. DON'T COMPLAIN THAT OTHERS DON'T CARE WHEN YOU'RE STUFFING YOUR FACE WITH POPCORN ON THE COUCH.

[Devilslakewoman]

Freedom Works: Healthcare Reform = Death Panels.

Freedom Power [or their new fancy Corporate name] = Actual Dealth Panel.

I say to BigCorp, as the Red Queen bellowed: "Off with their heads!" Just like a Palin turkey.

[Sarazzara]

A bit more about that fine soulless power company:

"Randon’s electric service provider is Freedom Power, a prepay company now owned by Penstar Power. According to the Texas Public Utilities Commission, the company tops the list in consumer complaints, and has amassed over 200 violations of Public Utility policies."

That's violations, not just complaints.

[sviolette]

What is a prepay company? You have to pay for it before you use it?

[TequilaMockingbird]

Another one of those companies engaged in the systematic persecution of the working poor.... Pay day loans, check cashing companies, finance companies etc.

[jurie]

Please every one stand up for what is right. We can make a differnce. Our voices can be heard out there. We must take a stand and do what we can to get this bill that's being held up by the US Senate for unemployment extentions passed. I am hoping it will not be by thanks giving or after that this bill is passed. That means no food on the table for us unemployed. We need help and we need it now. . Please sign this petition. Let your voices be heard. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/unemployment/

[GeoLee]

Meanwhile my niece's employer today dropped her salary by 200 dollars. He won't fire her because in Florida employers have learned to just keep cutting back until the person quits and you aren't
responsible for unemployment compensation that way. so I am sending money hoping to keep her above water working there until she can find a new job and then quit with as little notice as today's notice of a cut in salary that accompanied the check that was cut in salary. The inhumanity of people like her employer, who most likely votes republican, is appalling.

[GeoLee]

In the United Stated of America a big corporation would threaten this for a frikken hundred and eighty eight dollar bill? Well, in Texas we might expect this. Even if they do have a huge number of millionaires, they would go after the little people to save more for their rich folks profit. Does Barbara Bush serve on their board or what ?

[Emerald1943]

So let me get this straight...she could have bought a battery-powered unit and just let the power to her home get turned off??? I am sure that if she had the money to buy an expensive battery-powered O2 unit, she could have paid the light bill. She could have stumbled around in the dark, but at least she could breathe???

Wow! How cold can they get down there?

[bog]

mmm yeah, she would've had a battery operated unit that she couldn't recharge cuz she had no electricity.

[elizlucinda]

Unbelievable!!!!