Low Income, Homeless Not Sure About Health Care Reform

by John Pless The intent of the Affordable Care Act was to provide some level of coverage to the 50-million or so people in this country who don't have health insurance -- namely the the growing number of working poor, the disabled and those who are homeless.But many don't see how today's decision will help them. The most vulnerable people in our community come to the Homeless Health Care Center to see a doctor because they can't afford to go anywhere else."Medications are so high, antibiotics are so high, pharmaceutical companies are making a killing," John Holt said.The growing number of working poor, homeless people with mental health issues and the disabled find this as their last resort. They don't see how being forced to buy health care insurance will solve their problems.Dave Morrison said "everybody can't afford it, you know, I don't know how people are getting along now."Cindy White has been a volunteer and advocate for Chattanooga's homeless for 20 years and she doesn't see how the Affordable Health Care Act will help."If a person can't buy food and can't buy shelter how are they supposed to buy medical care, they can't," White said.Holt added "to force it on them, to say you have to have it, I don't know about that, I don't think there should be a mandate."Every year fewer doctors accept government programs like Medicare and Medicaid, creating another issue."We need more healthcare providers because what they're giving us now is not enough," Willie Green said.Phillip Palmer said "poor people, for the most part, I think we're expendable."There is broad support for the intent of the Affordable Health Care Act but the mandate isn't seen as a solution to a growing problem."I just have the feeling this just going to be another straw on their backs and It's going to make it even harder for them," White said.The Affordable Care Act does provide for the Medicaid program to be expanded so that more low-income people are covered. About 62-million Americans get Medicaid and the new law could add 17-million people in 2014. But it will be up to individual states to decide whether they will participate in the Medicaid expansion.