soonercare oklahoma

I am the proud stepparent of a 10 year old boy.he has had many disappointments in his short life.he was living in a christian school because of his parents mistakes from age of 5-8 had many problems there i got with his dad we moved to oklahoma and got his son back home since that time we have had so many problems its not funny even at school he was always in trouble.i didnt believe in medication i believed in structure etc..well after a bit over 2 years structure and love wasnt the answer for him.we started psychologist & psychatrist and he was on different meds that didnt seem to be working.just about a month n 1/2 or so we got the right combination of meds and my goodness we have an awesome son!we knew he was smart he tested on 5-8th grade levels in 4th grade it was just his attitide.well now that he is making great grades teachers helper etc.. we are losing soonercare because me being a stepparent i dont count as a member in this family of 3 we qualify as a family of 3 but because i am a stepparent they are a family of 2.please help me understand this i am his constant i feed him shop for him hug him love him teach him fight for him and would die for him but i am the reason he cant be helped? but if his biological mom who has done absolutely nothing for him in 9 years and is strung out on dope lived in this household he would still be covered under soonercare.please tell me what about that makes sense? i have told them the last option my son has at school if he gets into trouble this year is juvenille and if he looses his meds psychologist and psychologist all the fight and heartache we as a family and a community (with help of our school)went through and all the trouble my son went through will have been all for nothing we will lose a great smart child to the juvenile system.so really?? we cant qualify for soonercare for our child that desperately needs it to save his future because i am a stepparent??wow something is wrong with this picture being a biological parent doesnt make you better for the child at all i have been more to our son in 5 years than she has been in almost 11.something should be done about these rules.i am sorry for rambling but i am so upset and furious right now i dont know where to turn.

believer

all children deserve an equal opportunity.

A View from the Inside

I have just completed a pediatric residency from Arkansas and have started my fellowship in Washington, DC. I have always felt that in this day and age, children should not be kept from the their fundamental human right of health. Whether it was Arkansas or the big city of DC, I have seen and believe that the disparities still exist. I have seen perfectly healthy children fall ill simply from their lack of access to a doctor or the ability to pay for their medications. No one in America should have to decide between a meal and a medication that will save their life.

Special Needs

My son suffers from a disease called Dystonia. I am trying really hard to find a cure for this disease that is taken over our kids. I have taken him to several out of state doctors to see if there is a doctor that can find a cure for my child and other children out here that suffer from this disease

Million dollar choice

The combined cost to my son and I for our lifetimes is a million dollar investment in our combined welfare. This is one of the largest costs as a mother and we should ensure complete and cost effective healthcare for all children in America.

Protecting Childen from Toxic Exposures in the Environment

Greetings Mr. President and Congress, I am urging for speedy House passage of the 2008 Kids Safe Chemical Act, so that the public, especially children can be protected from a multitude of toxic chemicals in common everyday products. Many of which if one is exposed during prenatal or early child development, has great potential to be neurotoxic. To date, it is not clear what has caused this sudden rise in autism, ADHD and behavior problems. However, environmental exposures lead the list. Furthemore, I am anticipating this act will prioritize the public awareness commponent, so that there is transparency and opportunities for individuals and communities can make informed decisions. Thank you

I Live It, I Work It

As a parent of a special needs child and a Clinical Laboratory Practitioner in a pediatric hospital, I don't go a day without seeing the effects of a flawed health care system. I see our emergency department full of children for whom the ED is their only access to even the most routine health care. I see my family struggling to find affordable pediatric mental health care for our child. Now is the time to advocate for our children. Now is the time to advocate for our future.

I Live It, I Work It

As a parent of a special needs child and a Clinical Laboratory Practitioner in a pediatric hospital, I don't go a day without seeing the effects of a flawed health care system. I see our emergency department full of children for whom the ED is their only access to even the most routine health care. I see my family struggling to find affordable pediatric mental health care for our child. Now is the time to advocate for our children. Now is the time to advocate for our future.

My Granddaughter

My granddaughter, Abby, has Down syndrome. She was also 10 weeks premature. Because her mom and dad both had medical coverage for her, she survived her preemie status and has had every possible therapy since she was three months old. Every child with or without a disability should have everything they need to grow into healthy, happy adults. Some of our little ones need a little more than others. That must be available to them as well. Do NOT forget our kids. They are the future for this country. Charlotte Hayes

why the children

My biggest concern is that children are not asked to be in this world and they should not have to suffer because their parents can not provide for them. helath care is a must for all children. no child should be over looked.

Children's Hospitals Provide Safety Net for Kids

Our children's hospital provides needed care for thousands of children from our state, nationwide, and worldwide because of the worldclass expertise of our medical staff and rsearchers. Many of these families cannot pay for this care, which is why Disproportionate Share payment to children's hospitals is so critical to help support these costs so that this care can continue. We are truly a "safety net" for kids and families, many who depend on Medicaid to provide for this care (which is why Medicaid coverage needs to continue to serve children who are at high-risk or who have disabilities or health care needs). Future policy leadership needs to begin now to lay the groundwork for pro-active support for children when the Children's Health Care Program Reauthorization Act expires in 2013 so that we stand committed nationwide to making certain that all children have access to quality and comprehensive healthcare.

A Heart for Lathan

I am a mother of two. My son Lathan Parker... was diagnosed with D-TGA at birth. We have struggled to find a balance and happy medium in life. Financially strained and emotionally drained it concerns me have to worry about not only the quality of childcare but, the COSTS! My son has been through two open heart surgeries and today has undergone a serious Neuro-surgery. I recieved a call from an addmissions clerk while I was in the waiting room... "Mrs. Carter do you have any insurance, if so what kind?" I gasped for air. Do what? Lathan is on medicaid I replied! "Oh well you might need to follow up or re-certify for him today. He is showing Inactive!" I am so worried and stressed that there will be another $20,000.00 coming to my home and I am no longer able to work because of the care that my son requires. Now we are on a lists for a Heart Transplant and I can only hope for a better tomorrow and future for him in health care for all of America!

A bad deal for patients

I am a pediatrician who has now stopped taking Medicaid in anticipation of the healthcare bill changes. I currently get paid 44.00 for a routine sick visit from Medicaid, and 73.00 from Blue Cross. When the government adds more patients onto Medicaid with more inefficiency and during a budget crunch, the reimbursement will decrease further. How will I pay my employees? How will I pay my malpractice insurance? My bills for supplies? I will go out of business if I see Medicaid patients. The ultimate goal of Obama is to get everyone on government insurance, but that would mean no doctor could earn enough to cover the bills. The plumber who comes to my house gets 85.00 just to inspect the toilet, but I go to school for over twenty years and get squat for treating illness. Medicaid patients are going to lose out.

My kid

I have a son who is legally blind ,autist, develpmental dellay, and hi is an a wheel chair

Health Reform should maintain SCHIP for Kids

Healthcare reform legislation should not cancel out SCHIP at all it should maintain this critical public program for children especially those under the poverty line to have affordable health insurance -- they should not be forced into being covered by private insurers. We need a public insurance exchange with a public option competing with private insurers not health reforms that maintain the status quo and allow for profit private insurers to continue to deny care, and reap huge profits. Please maintain the SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program under healthcare reform without any dates to end the program allow the program to continue permanently) and to extend COBRA health benefits to Americans when they become unemployed so they can keep their health coverage even if their out of work. Health reform that benefits everyone including our nation's kids. Earlier this year President Obama signed an extension of the SCHIP program for kids healthcare which was good news. Health reform should not interfere with SCHIP -- should not discontinue it or set a date for its discontinuation but reform the system -- keep what works while improving what doesn't work and/or eliminating what doesn't work.

Health & Dental Care for All Children

I have worked with low-income, at-risk families with young children since 1970. They need the same good health coverage that others can afford! Julie Harnisch Eau Claire, WI 54703

Hirschsprings Disease

Do you know what it is? The government should stay our of health care. They should prosecute those who break the law but they should not take money from the responsible hard working people to pay for the dead beats, lazy and irresponsible. We all make choices which determine what benefits we receive. If I use my paycheck to buy booze, then I will not have money for housing and food. Should someone else pay so I can have food when I've chosen to make the choice to drink my paycheck away? I think not. Let me work, keep my money, buy affordable health care insurance (like I buy life insurance) and let me choose my doctors. If a doctor breaks the law, prosecute him or her. Allow us to be free citizens.

Test Submission by Adfero

This is a test.

Four years old and four surgeries

We hope there are no more. Our four year old daughter has had three open heart surgeries, one diaphramatic plication, several catheterizations and innumerable procedures. She has a single ventricle anatomy (HLHS) and is an energetic, resilient, amazing child. Please ensure her future is not hindered by difficulties with health care access, thank you.