Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, August 7, 1994                   TAG: 9408090002
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: D1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AT 23, IN DEBT FOR LIFE

Age: Carol, 23; Warren, 24; Joshua, 2

Community: Southeast Roanoke

Occupation: Carol, unemployed; Warren, house repairs

Insurance: Until recently, none. Carol and Joshua have now qualified for Medicaid, but it is unclear how long they will be eligible.

Problem: Six months into her pregnancy, Carol Moore learned that her unborn child would likely be deformed and suffer chronic health problems. Doctors counseled her to abort, but the Moores found that option too difficult and chose to have the child. A month later, health problems related to the pregnancy forced Carol to leave her job sewing labels for Halmode Apparel.

Joshua was born with spina bifida. Doctors operated immediately after birth to remove a bone through his back. The birth, the operation and subsequent health problems resulted in $84,000 in medical bills.

Staggering under the weight of their debt, the Moores were evicted from their tiny Vinton apartment and had to move in with Warren's mother, who has been helping them stay afloat. The couple shares a single bedroom with their son.

At the time of the child's birth, Warren, then a meat cutter at a grocery store, had not been working long enough to qualify for health insurance through his employer. Carol and Joshua have been on and off Medicaid, at times ineligible because of Warren's salary or simply unable to negotiate the system well enough to provide consistent coverage.

Carol cannot work now because Joshua requires constant care and supervision. Warren, who was unemployed for a time, now works doing home repairs. They still cannot afford insurance. They are hoping to file soon for bankruptcy.

How some reform bills could affect them:

HOUSE LEADERSHIP BILL: The Moore's would be covered under Medicare Part C, a new program for people who earn less than 240 percent of the poverty level.

SENATE LEADERSHIP BILL: The Moore's would be given subsidies to purchase their own insurance. Their child could not be excluded because of a pre-existing condition.

SINGLE PAYER BILL: Automatic coverage for all.

What they'd like to see:

"I feel that as much money as the Congress and everybody takes from people, that kids should have free health care," Carol Moore said. "I just feel that in my heart.

"I wish I lived in Canada, where you get free health care. I'm not even 24 years old yet, and I'm in debt for life."