Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 7, 1994 TAG: 9408090011
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Age: 56
Community: Northwest Roanoke
Occupation: Home daycare provider
Insurance: None
Problem: When Barbara Napper's husband retired from his job as a security guard, he lost the insurance policy that covered both him and his wife. He is now covered under Medicare, but she is not old enough to be eligible. She has five foster children, who receive health care through foster care.
A diabetic who also suffers from high blood pressure, Napper gets most of her health care at the Roanoke Health Department or the Bradley Free Clinic. They provide basic care and free or low-cost medication, but no hospitalization services. When she needed a lump removed from her breast last year, she ran up $2,000 in hospital bills that she has not been able to pay. Roanoke Memorial Hospital is taking her to court, but she says she can't pay the hospital until she finishes paying off more than $700 in bills from her doctor, anasthesiologist and lab.
Recently, her blood sugar levels rose dramatically. She refused to go to the hospital, but fears that not getting treatment could cause her to go into a diabetic coma.
"I just don't want to make any more bills," she said.
How some reform bills could affect them:
HOUSE LEADERSHIP BILL: She 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: She would be eligible for subsidies to purchase private insurance, as long as she earns less than 200 percent of the poverty level.
SINGLE PAYER BILL: Automatic coverage for all.
What she'd like to see: Lower insurance premiums and a sliding scale for hospitalization services.
"I thank God for the health department and the free clinic," she said. "If it weren't for them, I don't know where I'd be."
by CNB