Why We Need Healthcare Reform

Today's post is from a week or to ago but I felt it needed to be seen. My wife and I are currently expecting a baby girl. When we found out she was pregnant, her doctor suggested we apply for WIC and a medical card to supplement our current healthcare plan, a high deductible HSA. So we did. The state of Kentucky denies us based on the fact that since we already have some form of healthcare coverage on my wife that we must make less than $1,555 dollars a month combined in order for her to get a medical card.

That is equal to rent, daycare and gas to work and school. How can a family of four live of of that type of income and only be asking for assistance on a medical card? That would mean we would also however qualify for food stamps if we only made that much money a month. I don't want to be on food stamps. I am fairly proud of the fact that both my wife and I work and go to school and still make time to spend with our kids who participate in academic team and youth soccer.

I call back to appeal the case and end up speaking to a supervisor at our local community based services office.  We verify the numbers as well as the coverage we already have and our incomes. She said the denial is valid and I ask what would need to be different in order for us to get assistance. We are already seeing lab work and doctor visits of $500+ after our insurance discounts and payments for prenatal care. She is hesitant to answer and it comes to me. I very plainly ask that if my wife was not covered by my insurance could she then receive a medical card vs receiving a medical card now as a supplement to offset the costs paid for by my insurance. Again my HSA is designed that once the deductible is met then they cover 100% of our medical costs. She can't answer that but we both now the answer.

Of course I don't plan on dropping my insurance coverage but it goes to show a lot wrong with our current healthcare system if the state of Kentucky is unwilling to cover the small offset cost that our insurance is picking up upfront and rather help to cover someone who is unwilling to work, unwilling to better their situation and unwilling to seek their own coverage. Someone who would prefer to milk the system and get unnecessary coverage and benefits.

I do understand that there are those who can't work, who have viable and necessary reasons for receiving benefits. This is nothing against them nor does it have to do with them. This is for all the other situations that are uncalled for and cost a family who is truly needing the small help that can't get it. THIS IS WHY HEALTHCARE NEEDS REFORM...