Friday, December 7, 2012
Today, I was overcome by emotion - needing to vent. I called the Florida Attorney General's Office looking for resources to help fix my son's wheelchair and to file a Medicare and Medicaid fraud complaint.
My son Jake is 24 years old and was born with cerebral palsy. He is a quadriplegia and moves about independently in a motorized wheelchair. Jake has outgrown his wheelchair, but he does not qualify for a new chair because there is a 5 year clause before a wheelchair can be replaced.
This week Jake fell out of his chair because it is too small. He hung by the seat belt for nearly 4 hours before I discovered him. Foam was coming out of his mouth and he was having difficulty speaking - it looked like he had a seizure. Two days later he started to develop cellulitis of the lower extremities One DME Company refused to fix his chair because we didn't have the money (Medicare said we shouldn't have to pay them) and the other company was only interested in selling us a new wheelchair.
When I spoke to the Florida State Attorney’s Office, they said look to our legislators to help my son. Though they did refer our complaint to the fraud division; we still did not know who to contact to fix Jake’s wheelchair.
Then we called Jake’s caseworker, he also recommended we seek help from the legislators. As I cried asking who can fix the wheelchair – there was no response and I just hung up the phone.
I finally reached Jake’s doctors office. I explained what had occurred and asked if they knew of a company that could help fix Jake’s wheelchair. I heard those words again; “The problem is the legislators….”
My son was being denied medical care in the United States of America because we didn't have money for health care.
Finally out of desperation, I called Congressman Ted Deutch. I thought it strange I would have to go to our legislator as a Primary Health Care Provider. Is this what the new Health Care is all about - Seeking out our legislators to obtain medical care?
My heart is breaking watching Jake deteriorate unnecessarily. Do you realize people are dying because a bunch of supposed grown-ups on Capitol Hill can’t agree? If my son’s condition worsens, the legislators only have themselves to blame. God save us from all of you.
Jake's Mother
PS. I apologize if my letter is harsh. It has been five days since I've slept. I lie awake watching Jake sleep; making sure he does not fall out of his chair and readjusting his feet so they stay elevated. I am very tired.
Today, I was overcome by emotion - needing to vent. I called the Florida Attorney General's Office looking for resources to help fix my son's wheelchair and to file a Medicare and Medicaid fraud complaint.
My son Jake is 24 years old and was born with cerebral palsy. He is a quadriplegia and moves about independently in a motorized wheelchair. Jake has outgrown his wheelchair, but he does not qualify for a new chair because there is a 5 year clause before a wheelchair can be replaced.
This week Jake fell out of his chair because it is too small. He hung by the seat belt for nearly 4 hours before I discovered him. Foam was coming out of his mouth and he was having difficulty speaking - it looked like he had a seizure. Two days later he started to develop cellulitis of the lower extremities One DME Company refused to fix his chair because we didn't have the money (Medicare said we shouldn't have to pay them) and the other company was only interested in selling us a new wheelchair.
When I spoke to the Florida State Attorney’s Office, they said look to our legislators to help my son. Though they did refer our complaint to the fraud division; we still did not know who to contact to fix Jake’s wheelchair.
Then we called Jake’s caseworker, he also recommended we seek help from the legislators. As I cried asking who can fix the wheelchair – there was no response and I just hung up the phone.
My son was being denied medical care in the United States of America because we didn't have money for health care.
Finally out of desperation, I called Congressman Ted Deutch. I thought it strange I would have to go to our legislator as a Primary Health Care Provider. Is this what the new Health Care is all about - Seeking out our legislators to obtain medical care?
My heart is breaking watching Jake deteriorate unnecessarily. Do you realize people are dying because a bunch of supposed grown-ups on Capitol Hill can’t agree? If my son’s condition worsens, the legislators only have themselves to blame. God save us from all of you.
PS. I apologize if my letter is harsh. It has been five days since I've slept. I lie awake watching Jake sleep; making sure he does not fall out of his chair and readjusting his feet so they stay elevated. I am very tired.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.