Elisa reached out this week after receiving a bill in her name for over $200 and a final reminder notice on a bill in her mom’s name of over $400. She was perplexed, as was I, since we submitted a sliding fee application for the family along with registration paperwork back in October prior to …
Author Archives: Naomi Wolcott-MacCausland
Laboring alone
Sarita, one of the 20+ pregnant women we have helped access prenatal care, car seats, WIC, and health insurance, was strongly advised by phone to go to the hospital to be induced out of concern for the health of her baby. She and her husband have struggled to find stable housing for their growing family …
So You Can Just Call Them Up and They Will Drive Someone to the Doctor?
I had pulled off to the side of a rural road to attend to an urgent health referral while doing farm visits with a new work collaborator for Huertas, our kitchen garden project. The farmworker in need of support described ongoing stomach pain. He didn’t have a fever or localized pain where his appendix should …
Continue reading “So You Can Just Call Them Up and They Will Drive Someone to the Doctor?”
Embarrassment and Frustration in the Check Out Line: Challenges Using WIC Benefits
When our Community Health Worker met Felicia*, her daughter was two years old. Through the process of helping her set up health and dental appointments, she learned that she had originally been signed up for WIC when she was pregnant, but had never used her benefits because she didn’t understand how to use them. Even …
Access to health insurance is only a piece of the access to care puzzle
In July of 2022, Vermont initiated “a new, state-funded health care program for pregnant individuals and children under age 19 who have an immigration status for which Vermont Medicaid is not available.” The Immigrant Health Insurance Plan (IHIP)is a Dr. Dynasaur look alike program that has the same income eligibility thresholds and much of the …
Continue reading “Access to health insurance is only a piece of the access to care puzzle”
The Cost of Care Labyrinth
Dario* is in his 40’s and has been struggling with pain and sleep quality due to the impact of a back injury. Prior to being connected to us, he presented a number of times at the Emergency Department, unaware of where else he could get care. After receiving the exorbitant bills, he was reluctant to …
A Person Centered Whole Household Approach
“A friend of mine who knew I needed some help suggested I reach out to the [Bridges to Health] Community Health Worker in my area. I came to Vermont about 6 month ago with my partner Maria* and her nephew, Jorge*. We had solid work for a month but the relationship with the employer soured. …
Continue reading “A Person Centered Whole Household Approach”
Navigating Mountains of Paperwork
“There are so many pieces of paper to fill out and questions to answer that I am not sure about going to the doctor.” The volume and complexity of paperwork required to navigate the health care system is a barrier for many especially those with limited reading and writing skills; for those whose first language …
Working Towards Health Equity: One Person at a Time
“We got another bill today. This time for $450 for an ultrasound.” “I have not heard anything from the pediatrician [since we saw them in December] about a referral requested for a nutritionist for my son.” “I got two envelopes in the mail today from health insurance. Twelve pages that I don’t understand” “Can you …
Continue reading “Working Towards Health Equity: One Person at a Time”