One uninsured U.P. resident shares her story
MARQUETTE -- Fifty million Americans are currently living without health insurance, and Alice Kurian of Marquette, is one of them.
This single, working mother struggles with several health problems on top of the anxiety of having no coverage.
"The depression that comes along with not being able to pay the doctor bills--them sending you notices, calling you. There's nothing you can do about it; you're wondering when's the next time you're going to have to go in because you know there's another big bill. It gets depressing," says Kurian.
But Alice says enrolling in the Medical Care Access Coalition has lightened her burden dramatically. The non-profit, which runs on volunteers and donations, helps her pay for four different medications, which cost well over $200 a month. She says she needs them to manage her depression, asthma, and hypothyroid disorder.
"I honestly don't know where I'd be, I don't know where I'd be. It would be no place good. They've made my life better with everything they've done," Kurian says.
One M.C.A.C. rep says Alice's plight is a common one for the uninsured.
"When somebody doesn't have access to care, it can have a direct impact on their health. They're more likely to delay care, they're more likely not to get preventative screenings..." says Melissa Hall of the MCAC.
But there are options in our area, such as federally qualified health centers which provide health care, and pharmacy assistance programs which offer discounted generic medications.
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