Appointment cancellations and financial distress have become a constant at Bethesda Pediatrics, a nonprofit medical clinic in East Texas that is heavily dependent on Medicaid, the health insurance program for the poor.
On a recent Monday, the mother of a toddler who had a primary care appointment broke down in tears after learning the child had just lost Medicaid coverage, wondering how she could pay the bill.
Another mother told Dr. Danny Price, the clinic’s lead pediatrician, that she was afraid to get her child a flu shot because of the $8 fee she would have to pay now that the child had been dropped from Medicaid.
A child with depression did not show up, most likely, Dr. Price presumed, because of having lost Medicaid coverage.
The loss of coverage has not only affected families, but is also threatening the financial stability of vital components of the American safety net.
Persons:
Danny Price, Price, ”, Kyu Rhee
Organizations:
Bethesda Pediatrics, Medicaid, National Association of Community Health Centers
Locations:
East Texas, Tyler , Texas, United States