Copyright ibtimes
US President Donald Trump has intervened to help Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams, who issued a public plea for assistance in obtaining urgent cancer treatment after what he described as dangerous delays by his healthcare provider. Adams, 67, who is battling advanced metastatic prostate cancer, turned to Trump on social media after his doctors allegedly failed to arrange an approved drug infusion that could extend his life. Trump Responds to Desperate Plea In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Adams said Kaiser Permanente of Northern California had authorised him to receive Pluvicto, a recently approved treatment for advanced prostate cancer, but had not scheduled the procedure. He described the situation as 'dire' and told followers he was 'declining fast.' Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly acknowledged Adams' post, writing that the president was eager to help. Trump then took to Truth Social, sharing a screenshot of Adams' message with the caption: 'On it.' According to reports, Trump contacted Dr Mehmet Oz, the former television host and now administrator of the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to intervene directly. Discussions reportedly followed between Oz, Adams and Kaiser representatives to expedite the treatment. Adams' Battle with Cancer Adams revealed earlier this year that his prostate cancer had spread to his bones and that doctors told him there was no cure. However, the new drug Pluvicto offered hope of slowing the disease's progression. On his YouTube channel Real Coffee with Scott Adams, the cartoonist has spoken candidly about his worsening condition, saying he now relies on a walker and suffers from constant pain. Despite his health struggles, he continues to broadcast regularly, discussing politics, current events and his illness. Adams compared his own diagnosis to that of Joe Biden, who reportedly completed treatment for prostate cancer earlier this year. He said he expected his health to deteriorate further but was determined to pursue every available medical option. From Comic Strip Fame to Controversy Adams is best known as the creator of Dilbert, the hit comic strip that became a global phenomenon for its sharp satire of corporate life. First published in 1989, Dilbert appeared in thousands of newspapers and inspired books and a short-lived TV series. His career, however, was derailed in 2023 when he made racially charged comments during an online broadcast. The remarks led major newspapers and publishers to cut ties with him. Since then, Adams has maintained a loyal online following through social media and YouTube, where he comments on culture, politics and personal growth. Before his cartooning career, he worked in corporate management, a background that inspired the workplace themes that made Dilbert a household name. Debate Over Healthcare Red Tape Adams' public appeal has reignited debate over bureaucracy in American healthcare, particularly when patients face urgent, life-threatening conditions. His experience highlights how administrative delays can endanger lives even when treatment has been approved. Trump's rapid response has drawn fresh attention to his Right to Try initiative, a policy he introduced during his first term to help terminally ill patients access experimental or hard-to-obtain treatments. Supporters hailed the move as a decisive show of leadership in the face of red tape. Critics, however, said it was troubling that public influence or political power might still be needed to prompt action from healthcare providers. Adams' plight has prompted an outpouring of sympathy and frustration online. Many questioned why a patient approved for an FDA-cleared cancer drug should have to appeal to the president simply to receive treatment. Others called for reforms to ensure that compassion and urgency, rather than bureaucracy, guide medical care. The case has since become a flashpoint in the wider debate over equity and access to healthcare in the United States, exposing how even high-profile patients can struggle within a system often criticised for inefficiency and red tape. Originally published on IBTimes UK
