Our Stories -- WV Health Right (Charleston, WV)
Tess and her husband Jim came to West Virginia Health Right after Jim had been hospitalized for seven
weeks. Jim had been self-employed and was a carpenter by vocation. However, health insurance was not
affordable for his family of five. When Jim had congestive heart failure, he just kept working, thinking
his labored breathing would go away. Then one night, Tess had to call an ambulance. Soon Jim's medical
bills totaled over $100,000.
The damage to Jim's heart was significant; he would be unable to work again but he had no means of
paying for his lengthy hospital stay and treatment or for the medications necessary to keep him alive.
West Virginia Health Right helped Jim apply for temporary Medicaid to cover his old hospital bills and
medical expenses; but the card expired within a month of when he received it. Health Right stepped in
again, providing cardiology services, medications, health education and other support to help the family
through a stressful time. Tess said, "Health Right saved my husband's life more than once. The doctors who
volunteer at the clinic really want to help others...and they do!"
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Facts
Uninsured people include children, young adults, middle-aged adults and people nearing or at retirement. Smaller employers are less likely to offer health insurance to their employees because premiums are prohibitively expensive.
WVAFC at a Glance
1448 10th Avenue #302
Huntington, WV 25701
Phone: (304) 633-0799
Andrea Leffingwell, Executive Director
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