Quick story from our free clinic for the working uninsured where I volunteer every other Saturday. cc: @SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg Patient - "contract" shrimper in late 50's. We see him for diabetes, high blood pressure. He fell on the boat he worked for early this summer. Really messed up his back - verified by imaging. 2/a few.
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg Because he is a "contract worker" there is no Workman's Comp insurance and he has no health insurance. Now he can't work. 3/of a few
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg We are trying to get him in with a back surgeon through "We Care" - a great organization that coordinates referrals to specialists for the uninsured. 4/x
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg We Care requires people to try and qualify for a "Shands Card" which will let him go to treatment through University of Florida. This "free treatment" is funded through the city.
One condition to get a Shands card? You have to have lived at the same address for four months. 5/x
One condition to get a Shands card? You have to have lived at the same address for four months. 5/x
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg Guess what? Because this guy can't work and doesn't have money, he was evicted from his apartment and is living with friends. No free care for him from the city! 6/x
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg So now I have this patient spiraling out of control because not having a stable living situation makes it hard to take care of diabetes. 7/x
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg The patient is very despondent. We are doing everything we can but the health care system is so messed up and convoluted and doesn't work for those who need it the most. 8/x
@SenSanders @ewarren @StephanieKelton @GOP @JoeBiden @PeteButtigieg We have to change the way we look out for the blue collar workers. They are being shafted in every way. What are you going to do about this candidates?
I'm going for a long bike ride now. I'll look for your answers after I've cleared my head. The end.
I'm going for a long bike ride now. I'll look for your answers after I've cleared my head. The end.
