In October, the Philadelphia Inquirer covered the story of Karen Goroncy, a direct care worker who goes without health care coverage as she cares for those who need her help. In a follow up story last week, the Inquirer reported that a generous reader has offered to cover Karen’s costs of health insurance so that she can get the surgery she needs. Continue reading ‘PA Direct Care Worker Raises the Profile of Uninsured’
Archive for the 'Stories' Category
I am my husband’s caregiver. He suffered from a debilitating stroke 10 years ago when he was 61 years old. My full time job is to take care of my husband, and because of the failing economy, the state’s ability to pay my wages is now in jeopardy. What I get from the state pays for my bills, and leaves little extra for anything else.
I have Ladies First. Ladies First is a state program that covers mammograms at a discounted price, on an annual basis. I qualify for that because of my income, and because I don’t have any other health insurance. Continue reading ‘Caught In the Gap without Health Coverage’
An October 6, 2008 story from The Philadelphia Inquirer examines the challenges faced by a Pennsylvania home health aide who lacks health coverage. Read a snippet below and then follow the link to the full article: Continue reading ‘Story: A Caregiver Is Denied Medical Care’
A testimonial by Helen Hanson, a home care worker in Maine.
I am Helen Hanson, a direct-care worker with Home Care for Maine. I have been working at my home care job for five years. I help keep elderly folk living in their homes. I help them with grocery shopping, taking them to medical appointments, to the bank, getting errands done. I help them keep their homes clean and tidy. I also help them with personal care like bathing and dressing.
They look forward to my visits every week. I look forward to seeing them too. I enjoy their company and I enjoy this job. Continue reading ‘Living With the Threat of Cancer’
A testimonial by Brenda N., a hospice nurse aide in Pennsylvania:
I have health insurance; I wouldn’t work for anyplace that didn’t offer it. But my out-of pocket costs are very, very high and rising. I contribute $65 every two weeks, plus $20 co-pays, a percentage of prescriptions, and a yearly deductible of $400. All of these costs are about to go up, but my pay isn’t going up.
My hourly rate is $12 per hour, but after my health insurance expenses, I’m at the poverty level. After I pay my bills, I have only five to ten dollars left per month. I have to work a second job to make ends meet.
A testimonial by Cheryl D., a home care consumer in Pennsylvania:
At the age of 14, a cardiac arrest left my son Renzo with a severe anoxic brain injury. For the last seven years, he has been completely dependent on the help of direct-care workers. I pay at the higher end of the wage scale ($10.50 - $15 per hour), but I can’t afford health benefits for his workers. Continue reading ‘Turnover Makes Care Difficult’
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