Liz and Jack

It is not unusual for couples to both be patients at the clinic. Typically, if one is uninsured, they both are. So, Liz and Jack are a fairly typical couple. They both have chronic healthcare issues. They are both employed – he works a job that tends to be seasonal, so makes decent money when he works, but cannot count on work all year. She works as a housekeeper at an extended care facility. They give her 37 hours of work per week, and that way they don’t have to provide her with benefits: namely, healthcare insurance. It is how many companies keep their costs lowered.

They both are compliant patients – they get their medications regularly, see the doctor when needed and follow our directions, as best they can.

She needs insulin – a very costly medication. The clinic cannot afford to purchase insulin, so we access it for our patients through the Prescription Assistance Programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. These medications are provided at no charge to the clinic or the patient; the patient has to qualify – usually based on income and insurance status. Liz and Jack make too much for her to qualify for the insulin. They don’t make enough to purchase affordable healthcare coverage; they cannot afford her insulin.

So, what do you do? Liz’s health will decline rapidly without the insulin. When her health declines, she will no longer be able to work; she will eventually have to go on dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

How does any of this make sense? If we could get the insulin she needs, we could prevent the complications of her diabetes from becoming this severe. We could ensure that she would be able to continue working, continue contributing to society, but instead… she could very well end up on disability.

How does this make sense?