Medicaid: Real Issues, Real People
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-04-13 11:29:06.458447-04:00
Meet real people who rely on Medicaid — a health care necessity for one in every six Americans and an important safety net for all.
Medicaid does much more than help low-income Americans. By providing essential care for more than 40 million people, Medicaid is an integral part of the entire health care system. As such, caps or cuts that might produce short-term savings, in fact, only increase costs throughout the rest of the health care system.
The following stories are real examples of common situations faced by Medicaid beneficiaries who receive long-term care:
Mary C.
Kansas City, MO
Eight years ago, Mary's three grandchildren arrived at her home, malnourished and suffering from chronic colds. Her life was changed forever as she joined the rank of 4.5 million grandparents in America raising grandchildren. Today, Mary is the primary caregiver for her three grandchildren.
Now in her 60's, Mary continues to work at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO as part of the Family Friends Support Group. Her small monthly income of $1,500 is stretched to cover all of her family's expenses.
Mary's grandchildren are now 8, 9 and 11. They continue to struggle with health issues ranging from mental disorders to asthma; one of her grandchildren requires four medications a day just to function. Fortunately, each child is enrolled in the Medicaid program and is able to get the health care they need. Prior to receiving good parental guidance and medical treatment, the children were often suspended from school for behavioral issues. Today, they are regularly attending school and have hope for a brighter future.
Mary's 83-year-old mother also uses Medicaid assistance to cope with the costs of her medical conditions.
C. Lucille B.
Tukwila, WA
Lucille and her husband never expected to rely on Medicaid. But after her husband suffered from congestive heart failure and a stroke, Lucille was forced to place him in an assisted living facility. Lucille's health also began to deteriorate, and she ultimately had to go through two serious surgeries. Between her own medical issues and her husband's assisted living expenses, bills quickly piled up, but thankfully Medicaid was the safety net that helped them get through it.
Lucille is not enrolled in Medicaid, but her husband is. Without it, they would have a very difficult time taking care of their family's expenses. Although Lucille is 81, she is very active. She's a published author who enjoys poetry, painting, and scrabble. The help that Medicaid provides makes it easier for her and her husband to live a long and healthy life.
Carol M.
Perryville, MO
Carol has worked hard all her life, not only professionally but as a mother and grandmother of seven. Even so, Carol and her husband now take medicines that cost up to $1,800 a month and need Medicaid to help cover the costs. Without this safety net, she and her husband would not be able to survive.
Carol’s husband suffers from a range of complex health problems, including diabetes, kidney problems and macular degeneration. He also had a triple bypass and his doctors are discussing the possibility of amputating his legs because of his poor circulation.
Recently, Carol received a notice that she would no longer have access to Medicaid. Being resourceful, she talked to a social worker who helped her and her husband continue to receive vital health care benefits through Medicaid.
Carol’s sons help by periodically providing groceries, but they have their own lives and she respects that. While she and her husband have always “done things on their own,” continued Medicaid coverage is the only thing that will sustain her husband’s life.
Alice B.
Sherwood, MI
Since her husband's death, Alice has lived alone in her trailer in Sherwood, Michigan. Years ago, she was an aspiring singer and writer. Today, she has put those ambitions on hold to cope with a variety of medical conditions.
Starting in 1987, Alice began to develop a number of health problems that eventually included heart failure, gout, asthma and high blood pressure. Due to these and other various medical conditions, she frequently visits her doctor for tests and checkups. Her list of medications is extensive and quite costly.
Now, in her late 60s, Alice's only sources of income are Social Security and a small amount of survivor's insurance from her late husband. She also receives food stamps totaling approximately $568.00 a month. If she were not on Medicaid, Alice would not be able to pay for her medicine along with her other expenses. Everything from laundry to car insurance drains her funds; without this help, her basic needs would not be met.
A proud grandmother of 18 and great grandmother of six, Alice gets some help from her family – mostly with chores such as yard work and moving heavy objects. She values her independence, but acknowledges that she would not be able to make ends meet without Medicaid.
Get Involved. Stay Informed
Won't you help us preserve Medicaid eligibility and establish home- and community-based options to nursing home care for millions? Here's what you can do:
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