'Insuring the Children' & "We're Begging For Help" (Sicko!) -- 'NOW' - PBS - 8 pm EST

[Breeze54]

About the Show
Streaming video of this program will be available online after broadcast

Insuring the Children

Why is Congress poised to limit health insurance for poor children?

GO-->

http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/327/index.html

While 45 percent of all children in the United States are receiving some form of public medical
assistance, nine million children are not covered by either public or private health care.
The State Children's Health Insurance Program, or SCHIP, is a block grant from the federal
government to cover those low-income children. Each state operates SCHIP under different local
names. In Georgia, for example, it's called PeachCare.

But the national fund is running out of money.

This week NOW investigates how SCHIP's future is caught up in a battle between those
who think the government insures too many kids, and those who think it's not doing enough.

Related Links

SCHIP: Frequently Asked Questions

NOW: Children's Health Care in America

NOW: State-by-State: Children's Health Care

NOW: Michael Moore on "Sicko"

NOW: Payment Due

NOW: How to Protect Yourself from a Health Insurance Nightmare

NOW on the News: Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel on Universal Health Care

Center for Budget and Policy Priorities: Freezing SCHIP funding in coming years
would reverse recent gains in children's health coverage

The Heritage Foundation: SCHIP should not become a welfare entitlement

Topic Search: Medicine & Healthcare, Government/Politics




July 6, 2007

"We're Begging For Help"

http://www.pbs.org/now/

A 9-11 "first responder" featured in Michael Moore's new film says she's desperate for medical care

Former volunteer emergency responder Reggie Cervantes, who traveled to Cuba for Moore's
film "Sicko" about health care in America, says she was forced to seek medical treatment
in Havana because she could not afford needed care in the U.S.

As criticism mounts that ground zero rescue workers at were not sufficiently protected
from toxic pollutants, Cervantes told NOW: "We're sick, we're dying, we're begging for help."

In a web-exclusive interview, Cervantes tells NOW Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa that she
cannot afford to treat the pulmonary ailments, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other problems
stemming from her time at ground zero, and explains her decision to be in Moore's film.

GO--->

Reggie Cervantes: Desperate for Health Care interview Mp3 (Podcast also available)
http://www.pbs.org/now/rss/redir/http://www-tc.pbs.org/now/rss/media/news-326.mp3

Reggie Cervantes, a 9-11 volunteer emergency responder featured in Michael Moore's
new film "Sicko" says she's desperate for health care. Cervantes, who traveled to
Cuba for Moore's new film about health care in America, says she was forced to seek
medical treatment in Havana because she could not afford it in the U.S. As criticism
mounts that ground zero rescue workers were not sufficiently protected from toxic
pollutants, Cervantes told NOW: "We're sick, we're dying, we're begging for help."

Cervantes says she suffers from pulmonary ailments, post-traumatic stress disorder,
and other problems stemming from her time at ground zero.\

more....

[gaspee]

1. I'm currently

being sued for a 1400.00 bill from my local hospital, but of course they sold the bill on. Im uninsured and burnt both of my arms from elbows to writs (on the inside) very badly (2nd and 3rd degree) and after three days of agony, finally broke down and went to the emergency room. I was there less than an hour. Saw a doctor for 5 minutes, not one test completed. The nurse debrided, cleaned and I got a script for pain and antibiotics.

I couldn't afford to pay the bill and now I'm being sued. Funniet thing was that if I was insured, the hospital would probably have charged the insurance company less than 300.00 for what they charged me 1400.00 for.

I still haven't figured out how I'm going to respond. I can afford to pay about 20.00 a month or I can say, "fuck it" and let them try to get money from me.

I don't own a house. I drive a 6 year old truck with over 100,000 miles on it and I don't own anything of value. Not one thing. I like my life this way. If I had health insurance things would be pretty sweet. I have a roof over my head, food on my plate and great friends and family. Really, what more does a person need?

[Breeze54]

2. That's terrible!

What state are you in? RI?? You're my neighbor! :hi:

I think if you send them even $1.00 a month, they can't touch you!

As long as you show you're making an effort, they won't go after you.

How long ago did this happen? :shrug:

How are you feeling now?? I hope better.

Can you or have you talked to the hospital billing dept.?

http://www.health.ri.gov/

Health Topics

Medicare

http://www.health.ri.gov/topics/medicare.php

Medicare Information for Consumers

The Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare,

for the latest information on Medicare enrollment, benefits, and other helpful tools.


* MyMedicare.gov

This is a one-stop, user-friendly web site that gives registered Medicare users access to personalized information on benefits and services.

When beneficiaries log on, they can check which preventive benefits they need; check their
Part B deductible status; view eligibility and enrollment information—including for the Part
D prescription drug program; and take care of administrative issues such as verifying an address,
ordering replacement Medicare cards, check on the status of claims, and get on-line forms and publications.

People with Medicare can also get this information by calling 1-800-Medicare.