Kyla, from The Journey, has shared her daughter’s and family’s story many times in many places. Most recently, she told it to elected officials in Austin—where she explained that children who lack insurance and health care cost us all more than any program such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) ever could. And aren’t children more valuable that any price we could name? (You can read her speech here.) Here’s Kyla’s story:
Two months ago, my daughter lost her insurance coverage when the plan she was covered by shut down. When I applied for another individual plan, she was denied because of her complex, but undiagnosed medical issues. We were referred to the High Risk Pool, which was created for children with a high need for medical care, but she is not eligible for that program either, because my husband’s employer offers a group plan.
The problem is, we cannot afford a plan that costs 30% of our monthly income, and even if we could, it is not comprehensive and will not cover many of my daughter’s medical needs. For example, her therapies, which cost upwards of $400 per week are not covered, neither are her genetic appointments and related tests. A single genetic blood test can cost more than $3,000. Even if it were possible to cover the cost, it does not make sense to pay nearly $1,000 per month for a plan that does not cover her medical tests and treatment.
Keep reading Kyla’s story…
The only plan that will accept my child and fully cover her is the state CHIP plan, unfortunately we are $260 dollars over the monthly income limit. Because we have no other options, my husband has requested a pay cut in this amount. Not only will this lower our monthly income, it will stop his career from advancing. He will no longer be eligible for pay raises or positional promotions. It shouldn’t be this way, my husband should not have to give up his career in order to provide for his children.
We are willing and able to pay for our children’s health care, we just need to be given the opportunity to do so. If the SCHIP plan could be modified so that families like ours, who are above the income limit, could pay into the system on a sliding fee scale, it would go a long way toward bridging the very large gap between those with insurance and those without. All children deserve access to affordable, comprehensive health care, regardless of their health status or income. Let’s make it happen.
What about other children? Feel free to share a story you know.
Also, you can read more children’s stories at Children’s Defense Fund: Children Dying from Lack of Health Care Coverage.
Children such as Deamonte Driver, who died at the age of 12, Prince George’s County, Maryland; sisters Janneth, 16, Brenda, 13, and Guadalupe, 9, in Alameda County, California whose mother can’t get through the cumbersome enrollment process; and Kevin, 12; Monica, 16; Pedro, 18, who fled from Hurricane Katrina to Austin, Texas with their mother and who spent that critical first year sick and traumatized, with no health care coverage.
These children matter. It all matters.
We all pay for it in one way or another—wouldn’t you rather pay for a program that was accessible and provided the health care coverage children need?
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