Matthew’s mother sent an update. Remember that Matthew is the baby born with a defective heart. His daddy is a police officer in Las Vegas, and the family has good health insurance. But Matthew has enough problems that the family is now facing the limits on health insurance coverage, and they are scared.
Matthew’s mother is fighting hard for him, but look at the choices she is forced to make. Our government should be ashamed.
Here’s her email:
Hello Elizabeth …
I was on your blog this evening …. and read your article “Get Sick, Go Broke.” It was very very good. It all makes me sick. I wish we did have National Healthcare ….. I don’t think any human being should be forced to lose everything over healthcare issues.
No one should ever go without prescriptions or medical care. No one CHOOSES to be sick. Since we have only about $80,000 of insurance left for Matthew … we are holding off on an MRI of his brain, a Catscan on his heart and his kidney reflux surgery … Of course, if the doctors said it was urgent … we would do these things now … but if it can wait .. we are waiting ….. and hoping get more insurance money. It is a shame that it has to be that way!
What CAN I DO to get someone’s attention about this ???? It is such a horrible place to be for Mike and I. (And other families, too.) I have talked on the phone personally w/ the Governor of Nevada … I have been in contact w/ Senator John Ensign’s office…. w/ my Congressman, my Assemblywoman, different Senators here in Nevada. They all say “we’re looking into it.” It is like everyone knows something needs to be done, but no one can or wants to do anything about it. I even e~mailed John Kerry, Ted Kennedy and Mit Romney. (I was desperate.)
I will be going to Carson City in February to testify before the Nevada legislators. We got a call from the Undersheriff’s office yesterday … he wants us to come and meet the Board of Trustees next Thursday. I believe they will be voting again to raise the lifetime insurance cap. I am hoping we can make a difference and pull some heartstrings. I have some compelling pictures ready!!
I will let you know next week how it works out. If it does work out for us and the LV Metro PD raises the cap… I will continue to fight for affordable healthcare. It is not right that we go thru this financial worry ALONG with the pain & worry about the life of our child. It really is almost unbearable.
I don’t know if I’ve told you … but a local news agency is coming over on Monday to do a story on our story! Once it airs, I will send you the link. Channel 3 wants to help us get some kind of “high risk pool” or a Medicaid “buy in” here in Nevada. Exciting!
Thank you for e~listening!
Terri
Link to Matthew’s blog Matthew’s story on the Congenital Heart Information Network
