Sea
18th May 2013, 05:10
Wasn't quite sure where to put this, but I'm sure plenty here would want to know. It could just as easily go under politics, discrimination or ongoing struggles. I suppose it'd be in bad taste to put it in upcoming events, and it's most certainly not non-political. If any mods know better feel free to move it, but since something like this is pretty obviously rooted in class contradictions I'll leave it here for now.
DELTONA, Fla. — A Deltona man who needs oxygen treatment to survive is now left with little hope after Florida lawmakers rejected expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Ricardo Rios is one of the more than one million Floridians who likely could have gained coverage under the expansion.
He is now expected to run out of oxygen in a week.
The ability to breathe is one of the most basic needs of life, but Rios is not sure when his ability will be taken away.
Rios said he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
The company that supplies his oxygen treatment could take away the machines at any moment.
Rios has not been able to pay the company for months.
All of the oxygen bottles are already empty. Rios is down to one last oxygen bottle. It is full right now, but is only enough to last one week.
"I'm very scared," said Rios.
His oxygen costs $700 a month, but his Medicaid deductible is $900 a month.
"They're my lifeline," Rios said.
His only income is $1,100 in Social Security.
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/deltona-man-running-out-oxygen/nXmx7/
:(
DELTONA, Fla. — A Deltona man who needs oxygen treatment to survive is now left with little hope after Florida lawmakers rejected expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Ricardo Rios is one of the more than one million Floridians who likely could have gained coverage under the expansion.
He is now expected to run out of oxygen in a week.
The ability to breathe is one of the most basic needs of life, but Rios is not sure when his ability will be taken away.
Rios said he has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure.
The company that supplies his oxygen treatment could take away the machines at any moment.
Rios has not been able to pay the company for months.
All of the oxygen bottles are already empty. Rios is down to one last oxygen bottle. It is full right now, but is only enough to last one week.
"I'm very scared," said Rios.
His oxygen costs $700 a month, but his Medicaid deductible is $900 a month.
"They're my lifeline," Rios said.
His only income is $1,100 in Social Security.
http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/deltona-man-running-out-oxygen/nXmx7/
:(