A doctor in Tennessee told a couple that in order to help pay their son’s mounting medical bills, their best plan of action would be to divorce.
Angela and Randy Tindell allegedly received the advice while caring for their son Jackson, as they earn too much money to qualify Jackson for the state’s Medicaid program, the couple toldlocal CBS affiliate WVLT.
Angela said she gave birth to the kindergartener at 42, and that he’s battled health issues his entire life.
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Randy told WLVT that while he has a well-paying job, his son’s monthly bills are in the thousands, and insurance does not cover his needs. He noted his son’s formula alone costs $1,700 per month.
“You know that your child needs this therapy, or he may need a procedure, but you also know that there is no physical way that you can come up with that kind of money,” he said.
To be eligible for TennCare, Tennessee’s Medicaid program, a family with one child between the ages of 1 and 6 must earn less than $17,763 a year, according toTennCare’s website.
“There’s always that fear that you’re not going to get it, you’re not going to be able to get what your child needs,” Angela said. “Yet you get up every day, and you try your hardest, and you work your hardest.”
The Tindells’ fight to provide care for their son is illustrative of why state lawmakers are now fighting to pass a bill that will extend TennCare coverage to more children with disabilities and severe illnesses, even if their families wouldn’t otherwise qualify.
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“We don’t want to lose the children to an institution because the parents can’t afford to keep them at home,” State Sen. Kerry Roberts toldWVLT. “We don’t want to see parents get divorced, because that’s the only way they can qualify for TennCare to get these services for their child.”
Carol Westlake, the executive director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, praised Roberts’ efforts toThe Tennessean.
“He is someone who is not well known for wanting to spend extra money, but understanding that providing support to these hardworking families who are just trying to keep their kids at home is an important role for state government,” she said.
The outlet reports that, as of Wednesday, the fate of the $27 million legislation is still unclear as the state’s Senate leadership struggles to find a source to fund it.
Tennessee’s House leadership, meanwhile, has reportedly thrown the bill its support, with House Republican caucus leader Cameron Sexton vowing to “go to battle” for it.
source: people.com
