When Insurance Doesn’t Cover It

I’m not really sure how this guy got the Mission Waco Health Clinic phone number.  When I answered his call, I realized I was a third party on the line with him and his insurance provider (Care Improvement Plus).  I have heard a lot about CIP, and I was aware that although this Medicare supplemental covers dental, its coverage is extremely spotty and not a single oral surgeon in town accepts it.  Once the insurance rep had me involved, she was more than happy to hand off this frustrated patient to me.

So, I listened for over 20 minutes as Timothy complained about his situation.  He had been trying to get 3 problem teeth pulled for over 2 years!  One day, he saw a commercial on TV that looked promising.  He called the local dentist who assured him they would accept his insurance.  Hopeful, he went immediately to the dentist’s office where, according to Timothy, the dentist performed (and charged him for) a service that his insurance didn’t cover, and informed him that he needed oral surgery, which this dentist couldn’t perform.

Now, I know there are two sides to every story, but the bottom line is that Timothy really needed his teeth removed, and he was beyond frustrated at his lack of access to care even though he had dental insurance!  I could hear the frustration building in his voice as he jumped from story to story about how he felt taken advantage of.  Honestly, I was beginning to get frustrated myself… I was tired of listening to him complain, and I did not appreciate the fact that he was spewing all his anger onto me.

Finally, I interrupted him and told him that we could get him access to an oral surgeon who could pull his teeth at a minimal charge.  For the first time, there was silence on the other end of the phone line.  For a moment, I thought we had been disconnected, but then I realized that Timothy was crying!  Just like that, this angry, frustrated man melted into a grateful, blubbering patient.

Many of our patients – for good reason – feel taken advantage of and helpless to get the services they need.  Sometimes this frustration spills over into anger and bitterness.  Lord, open our eyes to the needs of those around us and help us to see the world from the perspective of the least of these.

Change: a Four-Letter Word

“Vera” is one of our only “permanent” patients.  Typically, our goal is to meet our patients’ immediate need, and then to help them become established patients at the Family Health Center (via the Good Health Card or the County Indigent Card).  However, Vera lives in Marlin, which disqualifies her from both services.  Since Falls County doesn’t have any health care options for the uninsured, Vera will come to see us whenever she can scrape up enough gas money to make the drive.  The drill is always the same: she signs in around 4:30, and then leaves to go eat at the Salvation Army before returning to clinic.

I wish I could say that Vera was a charming, pleasant woman…that she was oozing with gratitude for the services we provide.  Honestly, she’s a little difficult and sometimes crosses over into being downright rude.  But in the very slow process of getting to know her over the past year or so, I think I understand: Vera doesn’t want to be here.  She doesn’t want to need us.  Like most of the poor we serve, she wants to be self-sufficient and do for herself.  Every time she comes to clinic, it is a reminder that she needs the help and handout from others.

I used to believe that Vera needed to change her attitude and realize that she is receiving FREE medical care and show some appreciation.  However, recently, I have begun to realize that it is MY attitude that needs changing.  The systemic issues that keep Vera where she is and that need to be overcome begin with ME.  I will never contribute to solving these deep-rooted problems until my beliefs and assumptions about the poor change.

Thank you, Vera, for that gentle yet constant reminder…

What an AMAZING trip!!

We had an incredible time in Iraq!  I know that many of you were scared for us and also believed I was insane to take my son with me to such a "dangerous" place, but I assure you that we were completely safe and the trip was life-changing for both of us!

This is a picture of Whit with Ali, a boy who had recently had heart surgery.  They are showing off their scars.  Whit was also able to meet Mohammed (another recent heart surgery patient).  He took soccer balls to them (the "real" soccer balls are not available in Iraq and very much a hot commodity), and they were thrilled to meet each other.  Amazing that soccer and scars can overcome any language barrier!

We also visited many IDP families (internally displaced persons) in Kirkuk and Kanakawa.  It is hard to put into words the situation:  people who have been driven from their homes by the threat of ISIS, families who are existing on next to nothing because they do not have the means to work.  One of the things that we in the US don't fully realize is that it isn't just Christians who are being persecuted by ISIS.  Muslims are by far the biggest victims.  Just because they are Muslim doesn't mean that they agree with the teachings of ISIS.  It would be like extremists coming into your city in the name of Jesus and demanding that women not work, not wear jewelry, that everyone attend one particular church and follow their strict teachings about marriage and children.  This is what is happening in Iraq to Christians, Yezidis and to Muslims.

Noor and her market

This picture is a young mother who is trying to keep her children in school.  Displaced by ISIS, she had no work and no source of income.  The Preemptive Love Coalition has helped her start a local market so that she can make ends meet.  We also spoke with a woman whom PLC has helped start a salon.  These are just two of the many, many families who are in need.  They aren't asking for a handout - just a start... just a small amount of help so they can begin a new life and support themselves.

One of the most memorable places we visited was Kanakawa, where PLC is helping 5 families who are living in an abandoned storage facility.  These are families who you read about and saw on the news... who were driven up into the mountains by ISIS.  At least one of the families' husband and father was killed by ISIS while fleeing.  They spent days on the mountain with no food and no water. These are young families with nursing babies!  I sat with a woman in the blazing hot storage room while she nursed her baby, who was sweating and restless.  He was irritable and hot, but Jessica and I were unable to determine whether or not his heat was due to fever.  But what difference would it make?  They do not have transportation to a hospital. (The day after I left, Jess texted me to let me know that she took a doctor to see this baby and he determined that he was OK - just teething).

Selfie - Iraqi style!

Enjoying toys we brought

I must admit that it is difficult for me to come home to my air conditioning, pantry full of food, my security and freedom.  As a follower of Christ, as one who has been ordained to care for the needy and stand up for the rights of the afflicted, how can I just ignore what is taking place?  Maybe because it's happening so far away to people I don't know.  And yet, I know this is just an excuse.  Where is Christ in all of this?  He is in US... in his people whom he created to be his hands and feet.  Shame on us if we turn a blind eye to what is happening in our world.

I have only increased my respect for the Preemptive Love Coalition, and their commitment to be peacemakers in Iraq... to LOVE as Christ calls us to love... to sacrifice as Christ sacrificed... to GO when and where they are called.  It's not easy, and it isn't glamorous, but it IS Christ-honoring.  Check out the amazing work they do at The Preemptive Love Coalition

Whit and I will leave tomorrow (Sunday) for Sulaymaniyah, Iraq!  We are going to work with the Preemptive Love Coalition.  They are a wonderful organization that we've been involved with for years.  Please check them out on-line.

Sulaymaniyah is in the northern part of Iraq, known as Kurdistan.  Because this area is relatively safe, many refugees have fled into Sulaymaniyah due to the threats of ISIS.  PLC has been working to educate and empower the refugees in their city.  Whit and I are excited about helping out!

I'm not exactly sure how easy it will be to update (electricity is very unreliable), but I will try to post to this blog.  I might also be doing an occasional Instagram post, so feel free to check us out there as well (Leigh_Saxon).

Our trip will be from June 28 until July 9.  We would be grateful for your prayers. My hope is that we will be able to serve and bless others, and that in the process, Whit will understand more about God's passion for the people of Iraq.

Peace!....