SPLC lawsuit: Tennessee deprives residents of Medicaid coverage (Southern Poverty Law Center)

[hue]

http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-lawsuit-tennessee-deprives-residents-of-medicaid-coverage#.U9ETI9nZn68.facebook

Earlier this year, a high blood pressure episode put April Reynolds in the hospital. In fact, doctors told the mother of three that she could have died if she had waited any longer to seek medical treatment.

Reynolds put off going to the hospital because she didn’t have a way to pay for medical treatment. She had been trying to get coverage through Tennessee’s Medicaid program, but the state’s policies have deprived thousands of people like her the coverage they need even though they are eligible.

Now, Reynolds owes $20,000 in medical bills and needs monthly checkups. But she has been to the doctor only once since the episode because she’s afraid of accruing more debt.

Today, the SPLC filed a federal class action lawsuit against Tennessee for adopting policies that break its decades-old promise of health care to Reynolds and other vulnerable residents.

[archaic56]

1. the lack of response

speaks volumes BUT then I am probably the only Medicaid recipient here. Let's clear one thing up; Medicare and Medicaid are the worst health care you can get. IT is WORSE than the VA and if not for five honest docs out of fifty dishonest ones, I'd be dead. IN fact it is because of these dishonest docs that I am disabled. WE spend millions causing folks to become ill. When are we going to start acting as if those who are poor have a right to live as well.? OR , let me guess, I'd be wondering if fifty percent of you were not avid EUGENICS supporters.. kill the poor and the dark skinned.. after all they don't pay taxes..(sarcasm)

I've come up with at least five ideas on how to make it empowering instead of herd thinning the way of our health care. Yet I am not holding my breath waiting for a phone call. .However the guys in DC don't want solutions. The RETHUGS hate us and the Democrats patronize us. Might be nice to actually poll the recipients at some point and ask us what we need. WE do have dreams and plans and goals as well as you do.. Geez what a surprise. Yet, due to our knowledge of the RESERVation system we know that any program ostensibly designed to help us, is in fact there to help us die slow and in pain while someone else makes a huge profit

[Fawke Em]

2. The Medicaid issue in Tennessee has been a hot potato for our governor.

On the one hand, strengthening and expanding Medicare/aid would benefit our hospitals and they have gone all out to pressure our pro-business governor to do just that; however, our governor is a Teapublican-leaning good ole boy who doesn't want to upset his base - at least until after the election.