I am one of those that rides the fence. I dont qualify for low cost/no cost services because of our COMBINED income in this house. I refuse to divorce my husband as has been suggested by many in the social services field, just to qualify for more/better services. Medicare is my primary insurance, and because I am married, I am carried under the hubby's policy for a secondary. Without that, my co pays/deductables would surely drive me to the poor house. I dont qualify, nor will I lie about my income when applying for things like cooling vests, and such. I have sat and held the application in my hand and seriously considered it, but in the end, my morals and ethics win out everytime. I have a sister who bends the social services system into pretzels and dances around the camp fire of many benefits she is not qualified for, nor should have ever applied for. She is of the mind, that if they are dumb enough to give it to her, then she is gonna be dumb enough to take it. Her ex b/f was a SS supervisor, and taught her well. I just cant do it.

IF my copays/deductables reached a cresendo of placing my food budget, and or household budget in jeopardy, forcing others to have to do without and or with sub standard care because of me, I would divorce the hubby of 20 years in a hurry to make sure they were taken care of. Its a really sad state of affairs that so many feel forced to take drastic actions because of the way the system forces them to work it. You cant have a car worth X amount of dollars, so you sell it to your spouse that you just divorced, or your son and rent it back from him to show an expense. You give up your property to your divorced spouse as a "divorce decree" and then show a rent payment every month to show expenses on a house that just yesterday you owned free and clear. Its an awful spot to be in, and when you are sick and suffering, its not the time to feel abandoned by the system. I hope we find better ways to truly start taking care of those who not just want it, but those who need it. The problem is for every VictorH in the crowd, there are 10 of my sister in the crowd crying about her adult onset acne. She frustrates, and overwhelms the system and the workers to the point that when a VictorH sits in front of them, they are skeptical and suspicious.

Right between a rock and a hard place. That is where I sit. I dont make enough to get what I need, but I dont make so little that others will help me. It really ticks me off that the only way to get real help is to give up my marriage. For now, I stay married.

Good luck Vic