In a distressing incident, Mississippi state representative Mark Thompson made a controversial remark to a mother seeking help for her diabetic daughter. Sarah Miller‘s eight-year-old child has Type 1 diabetes and has been reliant on Medicaid for her insulin pump supplies for the past three years. However, when the supply company was changed six months ago, Medicaid refused to cover the new supplier. In her search for a solution, Sarah reached out to 23 different companies, attempting to find one that would be covered by Medicaid, but to no avail.
In her frustration, she penned a heartfelt letter to her state representatives, explaining her family’s predicament and asking for assistance. Representative Thompson was one of the few to respond, but his reply left Sarah stunned. Instead of offering support, he suggested she simply “buy her own medicine,” implying that she was looking for a handout because they relied on Medicaid.
Sarah, whose husband also suffers from Type 1 diabetes and works multiple jobs, manages an online community called Living With Diabetes, which supports families navigating similar challenges. Despite their hard work, the family’s monthly expenses for her daughter’s diabetes care exceed $2,000. In response to Thompson’s dismissive comment, she outlined the significant costs of her daughter’s medical needs:
- Insulin: $400 per vial (two vials per month for her daughter, three for her husband)
- Emergency insulin: $150 per vial
- Test strips: $300 per month (per person)
- Insulin pump supplies: $375 per month (per person)
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring sensors: $300 per month (per person)
- Glucagon: $450 per syringe
- Ketone strips: $80 for a box of ten
- Additional prescriptions: $150 per month on various smaller items
She emphasized that the cost of insulin alone equals her mortgage payment, highlighting that it is essential for her child’s survival. After the incident gained attention, Thompson initially refused to engage with the media, but later issued a statement acknowledging that his comments were “insensitive and out of line.” However, many felt that his apology was inadequate, given the gravity of Sarah’s situation.
Fortunately, since the incident garnered public interest, Sarah has received outreach from Medicaid, which may lead to coverage for her daughter’s necessary medical supplies. Meanwhile, Thompson’s comments have not gone unnoticed, especially as he approaches reelection in 2019.
Resources for Families Facing Similar Challenges
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Conclusion
In summary, the incident underscores the challenges families face when dealing with healthcare systems, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes. Sarah’s experience highlights not only the financial burden but also the emotional toll of navigating such obstacles.