Francesca is covered by both Medicare and Medicaid. Still, she cannot afford care for her multiple life-threatening health issues — including TTP, a rare blood disorder that blocks the flow of blood to the kidneys, heart and other organs.
Francesca’s need to see multiple specialists forces her to make difficult decisions about how to prioritize her care.
“Do I go to my heart doctor, do I go to my kidney doctor, or do I go to none of these doctors because I can’t afford to go?”
Due to cost, Francesca has had to put her blood disorder aside to focus on paying for another treatment: chemotherapy.
“I am just frustrated with my medical bills. […] If my TTP is back, and my heart is no good, I don’t know that because I can’t afford to go to the doctor no more.”
To learn more about the campaign to end medical debt in New York, visit cssny.org/EndMedicalDebt. Have a story to share about your health care experience? Contact us at wethepatients@cssny.org.