While many DV victims are complaining that our Coalitions, agencies and shelters have denied them assistance due to not meeting criteria and qualifications of funding or that they exceeded the guidelines/limits here is another experience of "denial of Social Services". Victimization of this young man has occurred as well but his reaction/response is more "appropriate".
I am posting this young man's experience that I have just found out about trying to make a point and I sure hope that it hits home with some out here in cyberspace.
A young man, age 24; full-time college student and works approximately 38 hours a week earning $9.00/hour ($342.00 before taxes are withheld) while carrying 15-18 credits per semester to obtain his degree and maintains a 3.3 GPA.
Due to his age as of April, 2009 he has aged out of his health insurance coverage on his father's policy. He is asthmatic, has allergies and has ADD. He needs medications for all. The insurance company offered him an additional 18 months of medical coverage on COBRA (he would have had to pay for the coverage) at $423.00 per month; he applied for Blue Advantage and was rated due to his medical conditions and was rated at $525.00 per month! (*How can a full-time student making $9/hour afford these rates?)
He has been without health insurance and his prescription medications since May 1, 2009. He prays daily that he can keep his asthma under control; buys Zyrtec over the counter as he can afford to do to help control his allergies and struggles with studies because he cannot afford the prescription for his ADD. He remains optimistic; however, his spirit is diminishing. He has experienced respiratory distress in the past due to his asthma - thank God he had health insurance that paid for the costs of the doctors and hospital. He prays every day that he can just get through the rest of his education to obtain his degree, land a job and receive corporate benefits (hoping that employers will still be offering health benefits). Oh, wait.......health insurance providers have a little clause, "pre-exisiting conditions" = they won't pay for services or needs for a specified amount of time. Once again, he will be screwed for the length of time stipulated.
He has rent, electric, water/sewer, food, an auto loan, auto insurance, etc. to pay on his own. He barely gets by.
This young man had to muster up the courage and pay a visit to his local Social Service office in his county for assistance of any kind, especially seeking medical assistance. After many hours of waiting, filling out paperwork and a meeting; he was DENIED ANY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE (Medicaid) because he didn't meet the following criteria:
- He doesn't have children - (if he had children he would meet the criteria)
- He isn't 65 (if he was 65 or older he would meet the criteria)
- He isn't blind or disabled (if he was blind or disabled he would meet the criteria)
What I have just described above to you is not just one experience and it won't be the last. There are many people suffering, just hanging on today. He is damned if does and damed if he doesn't. But yet we encourage young people to be the best that they can be. We drive home that the sky is the limit for them. This young man is shooting for the stars and is determined not to allow anyone or anything stand in his way of being the best that he can be.
Now I, perplexed by "this system and their guidelines/criteria", ask why? How many people in this country are "FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS" of our Social Service agencies? In essence, hasn't he been victimized? And, how many are "playing the system", getting what they seek and continue to use "the system"? All of our services are for temporary assistance, they were never met to be long term.
If he had children, he wouldn't be able to further his education because he would be responsible to support his children in or out of a marriage but he COULD GET MEDICAL ASSISTANCE! Isn't this a mixed signal that we are sending to our people, especially our young people who are trying to better themselves?
But you know what...............HE ISN'T WHINING, HE ISN'T CRYING, HE ISN'T CALLING WASHINGTON, DC, HE ISN'T BLAMING EVERYONE AND ALL AROUND HIM BECAUSE "A SYSTEM FAILED HIM"; HE ISN'T GIVING UP AND HE IS NOT GOING TO QUIT COLLEGE. He is respecting the guidelines that are in place and will continue on his journey. He will chalk this up to experience, perhaps advocate sometime in his life but he respects the guidelines set forth. This sends a loud message (he is only 24!).
He will pull up his bootstraps, walk with his head held high, keep praying, stay focused and positive. He will make it through because he is determined and a fighter, he is a Survivor. He will find a way - if there's a will............there is a way.
Keep in mind his life is threatened on a daily basis with a MEDICAL CONDITION, ASTHMA. He suffers daily with his allergies and struggles daily with his studies. His life may not be threatened at the hands of another person but he is threatened AND THERE'S NO ONE TO ASSIST HIM. There isn't anyone that will pay his doctor bills, prescriptions, dental visits nor help him pay his auto loan and insurance. He doesn't expect someone or the system to "take care of him" and his responsibilities to make his life a bit smoother.
He was "only" seeking assistance for health/medical services, which could be a matter of life or death - CONSTANTLY, EVERY DAY.
Take care and STAY SAFE!
The week is scheduled to be a busy one for Anny Jacoby and Susan Murphy-Milano as they have been scheduled to speak on several fronts.
For scheduling appearances or speaking engagements for Susan or Anny, please contact ImaginePublicity.
