Kate

Kate owns a business in our town, but doesn’t make enough money to buy health insurance for her and her husband. She comes to the free clinic, but would much prefer to see her own doctor. She just can’t afford to see him. So, she swallowed her pride and came here. It has been hard for her – she doesn’t want anyone to think she is looking for a handout; she works hard.

On Christmas Day she injured her hand, but felt like she couldn’t afford to go to the emergency room. The clinic closes for two weeks over the holidays because we are a volunteer organization, and no one wants to give up their holiday time. So, she waited until the clinic reopened in January to have her hand taken care of.

She will qualify for Medicaid under the Medicaid expansion offered by the Affordable Care Act. That will give her access to healthcare when she needs it. She won’t have to wait two weeks to access necessary healthcare.