2 minute read
Doña Olivia
| Voces de Medicaid, Segunda Edición • A Community Storytelling Experience, Second Edition
DOÑA OLIVIA | OLATHE, KS
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La Tranquilidad es un Medicamento para el Alma
Cuando mi nieto llegó a vivir conmigo, tenía 13 años y no tenía seguro médico hasta que un día en la clínica alguien preguntó si lo quería. Ellos me podrían ayudar a aplicar, ya que mi nieto podría calificar. Para mí fue un alivio porque mi nieto padece de autismo y necesita estar constantemente en citas con su pediatra y especialistas diferentes que le han ayudado con su desarrollo en la escuela y en la convivencia diaria con la familia.
De sus citas regulares, vacunas, visitas con el dentista y cirugías, puedo ver muy de cerca la diferencia entre tener Medicaid y no tenerlo, ya que otro nieto mío que también vive con nosotros no califica para este beneficio. A veces es más complicado cuando el tiempo de espera en las clínicas comunitarias es más tardado. Si quiero llevarlo a una visita de dentista, es algo que tengo que pagar de mi bolsillo y realmente el cuidado médico sin Medicaid o aseguranza es más caro. No es la misma atención ya que hay demasiada gente sin seguro médico que hace que las citas tarden de uno a dos meses y no quisiera ni pensar que pasaría si lo tuviera que llevar a emergencias.
Sin Medicaid no podría yo pagar todo el cuidado de mi nieto, tendría que decidir entre pagar mi renta y comida o las citas con el doctor. Eso lo haría más difícil ya que mi esposo y yo solo recibimos lo de nuestro retiro.
913-677-0100 WWW.ELCENTROINC.COM
| Voces de Medicaid, Segunda Edición • A Community Storytelling Experience, Second Edition
Tranquility is Medication for the Soul
When my grandson came to live with me, he was 13 years old and did not have medical insurance until one day in the clinic someone asked if he wanted it. They could help us apply, and they were sure he would qualify. For me it was a relief because my grandson has autism and has many appointments with his pediatrician and different specialists that help him in his development in school and his daily life with the family.
From his regular appointments, to vaccines, dental visits, and surgeries, I can see the difference between having Medicaid and not having it. I have another grandson that lives with us and does not qualify for this benefit and at times it is more complicated to get an appointment and the waiting times at the community clinics are very long. If I want to take him to the dentist that is something I must pay out of my out pocket and in reality, medical care without Medicaid or insurance is more expensive. It’s not the same attention and since there are a lot of uninsured people it can take a month or two for an appointment and I don’t even want to think about what would happen if I had to take him to the ER.
Without Medicaid, I would not be able to afford all of my grandson’s care and would have to decide between my rent and food or his doctor’s appointments. That would make things hard since my husband and I only have our retirement as our source of income.
913-677-0100 WWW.ELCENTROINC.COM
