Entries Tagged 'Cain't Afford to get Sick' ↓

I aged out of the system and no longer can get health-care…So I can’t afford to go to the eye doctor which is a really big problem because I have a really bad astigmatism, which basically means I am going blind, and I can’t see 6inches in-front of me without glasses or contacts. Well the dog got a hold of my glasses two days after my CHIPs ran out in January 2007. Luckily I had my contacts and then I ran out of contacts so I wore the same pair for 3months, you are only suppose to wear them for 1month but when you have no money and no health-care you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes. Eventually my eyes started to really hurt bad from wearing the same contact lenses. So I searched for some old glasses hoping to find some that would work the only ones I could find were 3years old bent up and held together with a bread tie its all I had so I had to wear them I couldn’t see good at all with them and they looked crazy but it was better then none after I filed my income taxes I called the eye doctor and got an appointment I have glasses and contacts now with the help of my mom who paid for my appointment and I paid for the glasses and contacts but the glasses and contacts alone are $200 which is cheap compaired to what it could be but it is only a six month supply of contacts. I do need the contacts I can see better with them, the glasses are just a back up but because I had to buy glasses and contacts I had to make a choice weather I needed to see or go to the doctor to see about a pain I have been having wear my gallbladder is and I chose sight because I can always go to the ER if it gets really bad and pay it off slowly over next 20 years but if I can’t see then well I wouldn’t be very much help to anyone and it would also be dangerous for me I would be falling downstairs I didn’t see and such. I shouldn’t have had to make that choice no-one should have to make that choice.  We need free universal health-care!!

Poor People have to make choices like this everyday…for example A lot of parents have to go without medical care because they simply cant afford it. I know a single mother that only has been to the doctor when she breaks something or she is really sick and isnt getting better. And when she goes to the doctor she has to make a choice what not to pay if she needs medication.

This is why I fight to end poverty no-one should have to make choices like these and I don’t want my little niece or nephew (that will be here this summer) to have to make these choices when they grow up. This is why I fight to end poverty it is for the future I don’t want them to have to make the same hard choices as so many people before them have had to make.

Well, today I am sick…. and without health insurance……will just have to tough it out.   Anyway, I wanted to spread the word about something going on.  Here is a blurb from a friend that gives all the details.

Help Patriots For Peace and Citizen Action Group

The web-based straw poll we are launching (VoteWV.net) will give West Virginia voters a chance to express their choice for a presidential nominee prior to February 5th, when the primary races may be effectively over.  In the process we are hoping to underscore the importance of the Iraq War, and its disastrous effects on the economy, as issues in this election.

By launching the website at the voter registration office, we want to stress the importance of West Virginians casting a real ballot on Election Day and participating in the political process at all levels.  The Voter Registration office will be closed on Sunday, but we intend our brief gathering there to call attention to the fact that many West Virginians feel closed out of the primary process because West Virginia is one of the last five states to hold their primary election.

Vote WV January 27 through February 5

So go visit the website and vote.  Let your voice be heard!!

Oh and by the way, even though I am really sick…….tomorrow I get to spend the morning at DHHR sifting through papers as part of our FOIA request regarding the “new Medicaid plan”.  Hopefully someone, somewhere has real numbers we can look at.

The new Medicaid, Mountain Health Choices, is rolling out in about 15 more counties.  It is very important that you make sure that families know they need to watch for the packet of information to come and that they need to choose Enhanced in order to get all their benefits.   

DAWG is working hard on this issue and needs your help. 

The new Medicaid has already rolled out in Clay, Lincoln, and Upshur.  I have already sent out flyers and surveys to Clay, Lincoln, and Upshur counties.  In the next couple of weeks I will be getting them ready to go out to the other counties that just rolled out.  In the mean time I could use your help. 

 Ways YOU can help right now 

• If you get anything from Mountain Health Choices or about Mountain Health Choices, I need to see it.  If you could make me a copy of everything including the envelopes the stuff comes in that would be really great.  Of course you can mark out your name, address, case number, and any other identifying information.  You can mail it to me at the address below.  If you need a large envelope and stamps to mail it send me an email by clicking here Evelyn with your mailing address and I will send you out the envelope and stamps to mail it.  If you don’t have access to a copy machine, you can send me the originals and I will make a copy and send it back to you.

 DAWG

PO Box 20079

Charleston, WV 25362

• Keep watching your email and this blog for more important information from DAWG about this issue. If you are not on the DAWG email list you can join by sending an email to The DAWG List
• Make sure and get the word out to your friends and neighbors that Mountain Health Choices is the new Medicaid program.  Not to throw away any large white envelope from Mountain Health Choices thinking it is junk mail.
• Let me know about any problems or issues that are coming up, like no help from DHHR or Mountain Health Choices in filling out the application, no one to answer questions, problems with doctors not signing the contract and truning it in on time, not being able to understand the packet that was sent to you or anything else.  I want to hear any and all problems/issues related to this new Medicaid. No matter how small the problem is I want to know about it.
• Volunteer with DAWG to get out the information in you community, distribute flyers, take surveys, etc.
• Send me an email and let me know how you can help out. Evelyn