Medical Insurance / Bipolar Disorder / Other Medical Issues
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Before being hired, I had discussions with the Residential Director, and the Dual Diagnosis Director, about my need for medical insurance. It was made clear to them that my illness was serious, and that I was counting on getting medical benefits. I was given the impression that I would get medical benefits pretty quickly.
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On January 17, 2007 the assistant executive director gave them to me (click here).
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The Residential Director soon took them away, using "creative" paperwork (click here).
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Salvation Army Clitheroe directors repeatedly acted as if the complaints I was making about misconduct by directors were the product of my illness. At the January 9 AERC factfinding hearing, the Salvation H.R. Director said to the investigator "We thought he was stable on his meds".
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This was the first job I've had in which I informed my employers, before I was hired, that I was bipolar. I informed them that I would work anytime I was asked, would never call in sick, and would work hard every day. I made it clear too that if I was worked on staggered shifts it would probably have a visible effect on my performance Here.
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Every time I made any comment about misconduct or incompetence of a director example here, retaliation was subtle but quick.
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I can't afford the medicines I am supposed to take (other than lithium carbonate, which I buy on ebay for $15 a pound). It is not proper that supervisors who call in sick to go to parties (literally), and average about 35 hours a week, should get full benefits, while I (who never called in sick, even once), averaged almost 60 hours a week, and was denied benefits.
----Other Medical Issues----
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Some years ago I went to a doctor (Dr. Wrigley, now retired) to check on a small lump I had. He said it was cancer. I went to another doctor (Dr. Subramanian), who said it was not cancer and I should not worry about it. I decided to believe the second doctor.
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At that time the lump did not show on an ultrasound.
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A few years later, the lump had reached colossal size, and I was forced to have surgery and radiation.
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Recently I detected the same small lump again. Because I do not have medical insurance (and the Salvation Army refused to honor it's obligation to provide me with employee medical insurance), I went through the hoops of trying to get Public Assistance to pay for medical help. The lump is very distinctly the same as the first time.
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The medical assistance I got from the state supposedly paid for radiology tests, but that was all. I have gotten bills already, far beyond my ability to pay.
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The initial ultrasound showed something called a hydrocele. the doctor said that in his experience that only develops in adults as a result of "an abdominal mass", so he sent me for a ct scan (approximately $2,000+).
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When I went back to Dr. Strawbridges office (at AK Regional) in May 2008, to have him discuss the ct scan results, I was told that I had to pay cash on the spot for the visit, because that follow-up was not included with the diagnostic exams the state paid for.
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I did not have the money, so I just took the test results from my file.
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If I had money, or medical insurance, Dr Strawbridge or another doctor would help me in trying to find out what the lump is. Without money he won't see me.
[The only place a broke person can talk to a doctor for free is in the emergency room].
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Doctors will talk about how "money is not an issue", but when it comes down to actually treating a person who does not have money, then money is the only issue.
A healthy person with money (i.e., medical insurance) can see as many doctors as they like. A sick person, without money or insurance, will not get past the doctor's receptionist. [Pharmacists will almost always give a few days worth of medicine to someone in a pinch.]
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There are other medical issues that would benefit from medical insurance as well, but which I have no chance of paying for on my own, including sleep apnea, extensive dental issues, degenerated discs in my back that sometimes leave me literally incapacitated, etc.
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The states CAMA (Chronic and Acute Medical Assistance) program is not available to anyone with an income over $300 (three hundred dollars) a month.
