A textbook case: what's wrong with our social safety net

[Cuban_Liberal]

I just bought a guy breakfast, and his 'story' just almost shames me to be an American.

'Bob' works for Paddy as a newspaper carrier; he has 3 separate routes with a total of 138 customers over an 8.6 mile-long route. He delivers (walks) papers 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and receives the magnificient sum of 11.3 cents per-paper in return. After he delivers his papers, he works as a handyman doing painting, plumbing, light carpentry, etc., as work is available.

Until about 3 years ago, Bob had a decent job (not a GREAT one, but a decent one) that provided him sufficient income to afford some very basic health insurance, as well as decent housing, etc. . Due to the recession, he was laid off, and not long afterwards, suffered a light stroke. Fortunately, he sought prompt medical care and got appropriate care, although he still has some residual problems as a result: he gets fatigued easily after strenuous physical labor, his speech slurs a bit when he gets extremely tired, and his left leg is not as strong as his right. Overall, though, you wouldn't know he'd had a stroke, just by looking at or talking with him. Now, because of reduced income, his housing is 'marginal'--- an older trailer, although he has lights and phone, and it's clean, just old. He has no 'luxuries', like cable TV or dish TV, etc.

Despite the stroke, he only missed THREE days work delivering his route! On the fourth day afterwards, limping the whole way and exhausted afterwards, he finished his deliveries, and hasn't missed one day since. Some days, when the weather is especially nasty, one of us will give him a ride, but he insists on giving us 'gas money' in exchange; we've tried to refuse the money, but he gets pretty touchy if we don't accept. Oddly, he will accept being treated to breakfast, so we usually use his gas money to do just that. *grin* Any way...

The only health-insurance the guy now has is an accident/loss of income (weekly debit) insurance policy Paddy provides to all his carriers. Last week, after much persuasion, Paddy convinced Bob to go apply for a Medicaid card. I drove him to the DHS office in Charleston and went in with him when he was interviewed by the intake caseworker; she took all his information, etc., then sighed and said (summarizing), "I've been here for almost 25 years, and you're exactly the sort of client I should be able to help--- but I can't help you. I can give you a Link Card (food stamps), but no medical assistance of any kind, because the way the law is written, it won't let me. You're single, have no dependent minor children and you're not technically disabled, according to Social Security... It's situations like this that make me want to turn in my retirement papers, when I can't help people I should by all rights be able to help." She looked genuinely upset.

Well, America, aren't you proud of 'welfare reform' now? A 46 year-old man who's lost the only decent job he ever had, who now works 2 part-time jobs despite having suffered a stroke, still pays his own bills, etc., but simply can't afford proper medical care, and we can't seem to provide him with any. Pardon me, while I go hang my head in shame...

:grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr::nuke::puke::grr:

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. Kick

[LynzM]

2. that is very sad....

I hate the fact that even people who are working two jobs (with no one else to support!) cannot afford decent health care in this country. Good for you guys for doing the little bit you can to help him on a regular basis.... But it still sucks, I agree.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. I'm just sick at heart about it.

What kind of nation are we, when 'welfare reform' prevents us from helping a good guy like this. I mean, he finds himself in a situation not of his own making, is trying desparately to keep body and soul together, yet he's just one illness away from a financial disaster. He said he didn't even really want the food stamps (he's able to afford food), yet the one thing he desperately needs but can't afford--- access to good medical care--- we can't seem to provide him.

Pathetic.... *sigh*

[leftyandproud]

9. Give the man some money!

Seriously...can you afford it? Put a little cash in an evelope and slip it under his door when he isn't home. He won't be able to refuse it then, and it will give him a nice little cushion and some breathing room.

[loudsue]

3. Millions will find themselves in this boat.....and very soon.

As the baby boomers age, there will be millions more who will find themselves in this exact same situation.

It's going to be far scarier than people realize, about the time they hit this wall. I have several friends who are older than I am, currently going through these terrible experiences with the medical system.

The wealthy won't have a problem. It's the other 95% of us that will suffer.

:kick:

[Cuban_Liberal]

5. I know.

The casewoker at DHS tells me that this situation is becoming a real problem, one that she sees every day, and that some nights she just cries from the sheer frustration that comes from not being able to do anything (or anything much) to help.

We have GOT TO have universal health-care, and sooner, rather than later.

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. Kick, because it's an important issue

[woofless]

7. I've got the other oar in the same boat as Bob.

Not exactly the same but scary anyway. I can't work due to lung disease and broken back.I have applied for help from DSHS and SS but no determination yet. I am NOT optomistic. Fortunately I have a partner who takes care of me. It is a blow to the pride of one who worked hard all his life and made a decent living in the printing trades. Here in Bellingham we have a place called the Interfaith Community Healthcare Center. It is a facility that is funded by donations and church groups. I was referred there by the hospital when I broke my back. I have recieved better health care there at reduced cost than I ever did when I had top of the line health care insurance. I get medications for next to nothing or free in a couple cases. Perhaps there is some group there in IL that is similar and might be able to help Bob out. It is worth looking into. Ask a Pastor or Priest of your acquaintance. Good luck and thanks for telling us about Bob. Best wishes, Woof

[Cuban_Liberal]

8. We have something similar.

We have a Civic Association here who will help with certain things, and our local hospital just voluntarily adopted liberal income guidelines entitling people to their full range of medical services at no or reduced cost. Paddy also called Bob's doctor on the QT and told him about Bob's financial state, which the doctor was unaware of; the doctor now gives Bob his medications in the form of samples he gets from pharmaceutical reps.

Still, I wonder about things like dental care and glasses, neither one of which are cheap, and I'm quite sure he can afford neither one.

[Bandit]

10. 138 customers @ 11.3 cents per customer is $15.60 per day

It would be very difficult to survive on that IMHO. $109.20 per week.