Len

Len is an elderly-appearing man – disheveled in appearance, but very personable and polite. I was stunned when I looked at his chart, only to discover he is actually 4 years younger than me!

He has been a patient at the clinic for the past 2 ½ years; he first came to have some stitches removed following a visit to the emergency room. Several months later, he started coming on a regular basis for his medications to maintain his epilepsy, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Early this year, he began complaining of leg and hip pain – his one foot was always cold; we suspected some type of arterial insufficiency (lack of blood flow to his leg) and ordered tests to determine if this was the cause.

What we found was possible cancer – he has multiple lesions on his hip, back, and leg. Today he is having a biopsy to determine the source and type of cancer.

To state the obvious – he has no insurance. He has seasonal work at one of the township dumps collecting scrap metal. He lives with his mother.

I don’t know if having insurance would have expedited the process of diagnosing his cancer. What I do know is that IF he had insurance, he would be able to have the testing that he needs to complete the diagnostic work-up. But, because he is uninsured and our hospital does not have the equipment, he has been told he cannot have the necessary testing.  It will delay the staging of his cancer, and thus will impact the prognosis.

How can we proclaim ourselves a “Christian Nation” and yet not take care of the poor among us? How is this right?

As I sit here with Len and Paul’s charts on my desk feeling so helpless, I wonder at all the people out in the world screaming and yelling about “Obamacare” and how it is the end of the world as we know it. Yet, these two men are facing the real end of the world – and still don’t have access to healthcare (Medicaid expansion doesn’t take effect in Michigan until April 1). These two men don’t qualify for any of the tax subsidies – their income is below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, so there is no way they can afford insurance.

My phone calls to the Department of Human Services worker will help. She has a heart of gold, and will do all in her ability to make sure they qualify for emergency Medicaid. Hopefully, it won’t be too late.