Issue link: https://nnumagazine.uberflip.com/i/162603
Contract_4 pg 6/2/11 3:57 PM Page 14 They're Just Teeth, Right? California RN Cathy Kennedy's husband Bobby is a rare specimen: He's a dentist who still accepts MediCal patients. Very few dentists take Medi-Cal; not only did the state eliminate most dental coverage for adult recipients in 2009, it has continued to cut reimbursement rates to the point where many practitioners feel it loses them money. But dental care is Bobby's calling and he often exchanges treatment for home-cooked meals or whatever else his patients can trade. Once, an extended relative wrote him two poems for a set of dentures he made her. Still, in the past few years, Bobby has seen people with such severe medical problems arising out of dental issues that he has sent patients directly to the emergency room. "They had some pretty bad infections and were at risk of septicemia and bacteremia," said Kennedy. "They needed IV antibiotics. And he's seeing more of that in children." People are not taking care of their teeth, and putting off seeing the dentist. "It's money they don't want to spend. So they don't come in until it's an emergency." Please share your story. We know you have one. No one has been untouched by this economic crisis and it's high time we broke the silence. We will keep your story private unless you give permission to make it public. www.nationalnursesunited.org/story 14 N AT I O N A L N U R S E Massachusetts intensive care RN Karen Higgins is one of six kids that her mom, Tess, raised by herself after being widowed at age 48. Higgins said her mother always worked two to three jobs to provide for the family: waitressing, being a crossing guard, acting as the hostess at a restaurant. At the end of her working life, Tess' annual income totals up to about $11,000—barely enough, said Higgins, to pay for her prescription medications. So, years ago, Tess moved in with Higgins, and about nine years ago, Higgins' sister, who is also a nurse, moved in to help with their mother, now 83. Higgins said they are lucky that living and financial arrangements worked out for her family; she knows others for whom they haven't. "We obviously supplement her income to help her. It's sad to think that if she didn't have children able and willing to help her, that she might not be here," said Higgins. "As a medical professional, it makes no sense to me whatsoever that we've worked so hard so that people can live to be a much older age, but we don't give them the resources they need to live. Fine, help me get to age 89, but how do I afford to live when you're cutting Social Security, Medicare, getting rid of pensions, and my pills cost more and more?" W W W. N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G M AY 2 0 1 1 BILLS: SCHULTEPRODUCTIONS | ISTOCKPHOTO.COM; TOOTH: ZEE | VEER What About Our Elders?