[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 63 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    FACES OF THE HEALTH CARE CRISIS

 Mr. RIEGLE. Mr. President, I rise today in my continuing 
effort to put a face on the health care crisis in our country. I would 
like to tell you about the Bawol family of Warren, MI. David Bawol 
visited one of my State offices earlier this year to share his family's 
struggles with the high cost of health services without health 
insurance coverage.
  Davis is 50 years old and his wife, Margaret, is 44 years old. Their 
19-year-old son, Scott, lives at home with them and is currently 
looking for a full-time job. David is an auto mechanic by trade, and 
during his career the service stations and auto repair shops he worked 
for never offered his family health insurance coverage.
  For the past several years, David has been unable to work because he 
suffers from glaucoma, a degenerative eye condition. His vision 
deteriorated over time to the point that he was unable to see well 
enough to work. The glaucoma eventually left him blind in one eye, and 
partial vision in his other eye was only spared through surgery. 
Prescription medication now controls the disease from progressing.
  When David left his job, his family was forced onto the Federal 
program Aid for Families with Dependent Children [AFDC], until Margaret 
was able to find work. While they received AFDC they were covered by 
Medicaid, which paid for David's surgery, but they lost that insurance 
when Margaret went to work. David applied for Social Security 
disability benefits but was denied because he is not considered legally 
blind. And although he has worked all his adult life, he is too young 
to be eligible for Medicare.
  Working full time as a spot welder at a local shop, Margaret makes 
about $900 per month to support her family. Margaret's employer does 
offer health insurance, but Margaret and David cannot afford their 
required premium share of $160 per month, that amount represents 18 
percent of their income.
  But the cost of being without insurance is high for the Bawol family. 
In January of this year, Scott sprained his knee and incurred over $700 
in health care bills for the injury. They are making monthly payments 
to the hospital and physicians to pay off the charges. David must go to 
the eye doctor every 90 days for checkups to monitor his glaucoma 
condition. The cost of a single office visit is between $50-$100. In 
addition, David pays over $50 per month for his prescriptions. Although 
Margaret is currently healthy, she puts off dental and vision care 
because they do not have the resources to pay it.
  Mr. President, families like the Bawols deserve to have the guarantee 
of affordable health insurance coverage. When a low-income family 
cannot afford health insurance, they are forced to take upon themselves 
the risk of accidents or illness. With health insurance reform, this 
family would have access to preventive care and would not be liable for 
unaffordable medical bills in the case of an injury. I will continue to 
work with the President and my colleagues in the Senate to pass 
comprehensive health care reform legislation this year.

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