In a disheartening exchange, Mississippi State Representative Jared Thompson responded dismissively to a concerned mother advocating for her daughter’s medical needs. The mother, Sarah Adams, has been struggling to secure necessary supplies for her eight-year-old daughter, who has Type 1 diabetes. For the past three years, they relied on Medicaid for insulin pump supplies, but a recent change in suppliers left them in a bind, as Medicaid stopped covering the new provider. Despite reaching out to 23 different companies, Sarah was unable to find one that accepted Medicaid.
In a bid for help, she penned a thoughtful letter to her state representatives, outlining her family’s ordeal. However, Thompson’s response was anything but supportive. Shocked by the tone of his reply, Sarah felt it implied that her family was merely seeking a handout due to their reliance on Medicaid—an unfair characterization of their situation.
Sarah’s husband, who also lives with Type 1 diabetes, works two jobs to support the family. Meanwhile, Sarah manages an online community, Living with Diabetes, offering support to others facing similar challenges. Despite their hard work, the family faces a staggering monthly expense of over $2,000 for essential medications and supplies. The breakdown includes costs like $400 for Humalog insulin, $150 for Lantus, and $300 for test strips, among other necessities.
In response to Thompson’s insensitivity, Sarah laid out the harsh reality of their financial burden, emphasizing how vital insulin is for her daughter’s survival. “Just for insulin, I’m paying as much as my house payment each month,” she highlighted.
Initially, Thompson refused to speak with the media, but after Sarah’s story gained traction, he issued a vague apology, admitting that his remarks were “insensitive.” However, his statement lacked genuine empathy and failed to address the real challenges families like Sarah’s face when dealing with insurance and medical costs.
Fortunately, after the incident sparked widespread attention, Sarah received outreach from Medicaid, which may lead to coverage for her daughter’s critical supplies. On a brighter note, Thompson’s re-election is approaching in 2019, which could provide an opportunity for change.
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In summary, Sarah Adams’ experience highlights the ongoing struggles many families face when navigating the healthcare system, especially regarding necessary medication for chronic conditions.