Donnitta B., Alachua County
I’m 48 years old. My wife and I have adult children who don’t live with us anymore. I was uninsured until my mid to late 30s. Throughout the time I was uninsured, I avoided going to the doctor because it just cost too much. I tried not to go to the Emergency Room during this time, either. However, when I had to go, I had to go, and this put me in medical debt. I finally came to have Medicaid and Medicare in 2009 because of my physical disability caused by chronic back pain, as well as because of my mental disability. Medicaid and Medicare have both worked out really well for me. It’s still hard for me to get some of the things I need, but I get what I need for the most part. I’m able to access the dental services that I need as well.
On the other hand, my wife is uninsured and it’s very hard for her to get the health care that she needs. We don’t have the money to pay for all the bills. My wife is legally blind and the doctors that she needs are very expensive. She goes to the Equal Access Clinic so it doesn’t cost so much. We heard about the Equal Access Clinic about a year ago. It was then that she started being seen there for her physical health needs, including her blood pressure and vision issues. For the most part, going to the Equal Access Clinic has been helpful for my wife.
I don’t make enough money for my wife to get insurance. If Florida expanded Medicaid and my wife were to qualify for it, she would be able to get the care she needs.