A Lifeline Set to Expire: One Mother’s Struggle to Stay Insured

Kristy Layne of Bellevue, Kentucky, has been on Medicaid since she was pregnant with her daughter, Cora, and for the last 12 years it has kept them covered. Until recently when, in a sincere effort to better herself and give her daughter the best life possible, Kristy sought out a better job with a bigger paycheck. Soon she learned that given her new salary, Kristy and Cora now fell just above the eligibility line for their Medicaid coverage.

Even though her new job offers health insurance, the cost amounts to 28% of what Kristy brings in each week after taxes, an amount she just cannot afford if she wants to make rent and buy groceries. Luckily, Kristy currently qualifies for premium assistance, which will keep the cost of her premiums lower than a significant percent of her income.

This assistance is vital to Kristy, and families just like hers, but the expiration date is looming: the credits are set to expire next year.

On top of this, Kristy suffers from a condition called idiopathic intracranial hypertension where a buildup of spinal fluid causes pressure on her optic nerve, a condition for which she takes four medications and sees a specialist every six months, both of which had been covered by her Medicaid at affordable prices. Kristy talked about the sacrifices she would have to make to prioritize her daughter’s health over her own if she were to lose access to premium assistance, “If I was to lose that…It would mean going to my specialist less, and I would probably take away from myself and just focus on my daughter so that way she has the care that she needs for her yearly physicals or sports physicals. I would make sure she gets those before I put the money towards myself.”

Kristy enjoys her job and feels as though she is making a good salary but relies on the tax credits to keep her and Cora healthy. If Congress were to allow them to expire, she not only worries about herself and her family, but about the millions of other families who rely on this affordable coverage stating, “I just I don’t want anybody that’s in the same position as me to have to worry. I’m trying to better myself. But I just don’t feel like I can get ahead.”

If you are facing difficulties affording your health insurance premiums and want to find out if you qualify for premium tax credits visit: https://www.irs.gov/help/ita/am-i-eligible-to-claim-the-premium-tax-credit