The Clipboard: People respond to Medicaid's decision to cut services for 13 year old girl

From an article¹:

Shelley-Tremblay said, "We're trying to get a clear picture of what Lauren's case means both to Lauren and her family but also to the state of Alabama as a whole and in general what it means about the state of Medicaid." adding, "all of us are interested in policy change that is going to help improve the care of the people who need care."

But Alabama Governor Bob Riley saw the story differently, "Because I think to a large extent what you've done is frighten a child, sent the wrong message to the community that the state is not being as responsive as it can be because there are a variety of different programs and I think if we all had taken the opportunity to sit down and explore all the other options we wouldn't even be having this conversation."

When asked if he knew what those other programs are, the Governor responded, "No, but I can find out and let you know."

Lauren's mom did check with Medicaid about those other programs. She said Lauren who currenlty gets 70 hours a week of nursing care would qualify for 12 hours of care a week. Or she could instead choose to have house cleaning services, "And the girl comes in 3 hours twice a week and that's not helping me. I don't need a housekeeper I need a nurse there that can take care of her." said Lauren's mother. (link)

Update of the story first mentioned here.

---

Complete text of the article, People worldwide respond to Medicaid's decision to cut services for 13 year old girl, by Bruce Mildwurf

NBC 15 first told you about Lauren Rainey last week. She's a 13 year old who may soon lose her Medicaid nursing care due to a recent decision made by a state Medicaid official.

Now the Mobile middle school student is getting worldwide attention. News of her case is spreading like wild fire across the internet. People everywhere are taking notice of our story and taking action.

A spunky 13 year old full of personality who requires 24 hour supervision.

"Clearly Lauren is a bright and wonderful little girl. Her spirit shines through the camera at us so we were all touched greatly by her story." said Shannon Shelley-Tremblay, a civil rights advocate with the Independent Living Center of Mobile.

Lauren has apparently touched people worldwide. The story has taken on a life of it's own. Thousands and thousands of people read Lauren's story on the internet. WPMI had calls and e-mails coming into our station from across the country and the globe. Michael Moore's website, www.michaelmoore.com put a link to our story on the front page of the "Must Read" section generating even more exposure for Lauren.

Lauren's mother, Laura Rainey-Gordon responded with a tear in her eye, "I thought it would be just local and no one else would see it and I'm just so touched by the amount of people that care."

Lauren is a dwarf who breathes through an artificial airway. She is deaf, has an enlarged heart, scoliosis and other bone abnormalities. She is hooked up to an oxygen machine and a humidifier mister - and her airway has to be suctioned several times every hour.

Alabama Medicaid currently provides 10 hours a day of nursing care for Lauren, but the state agency is threatening to cut her off.

Alabama's Medical Director says Lauren is losing her care because based on medical records her condition is not worsening.

Her doctors insist she could die if her condition was to worsen further. "I think if she were to get the flu, it would be very difficult to help her through that. If she were to catch pneumonia, it would be very difficult to help her through that. So the likelihood she could die is very high." said Dr. Lawrence Sindel.

Shelley-Tremblay said, "We're trying to get a clear picture of what Lauren's case means both to Lauren and her family but also to the state of Alabama as a whole and in general what it means about the state of Medicaid." adding, "all of us are interested in policy change that is going to help improve the care of the people who need care."

But Alabama Governor Bob Riley saw the story differently, "Because I think to a large extent what you've done is frighten a child, sent the wrong message to the community that the state is not being as responsive as it can be because there are a variety of different programs and I think if we all had taken the opportunity to sit down and explore all the other options we wouldn't even be having this conversation."

When asked if he knew what those other programs are, the Governor responded, "No, but I can find out and let you know."

Lauren's mom did check with Medicaid about those other programs. She said Lauren who currenlty gets 70 hours a week of nursing care would qualify for 12 hours of care a week. Or she could instead choose to have house cleaning services, "And the girl comes in 3 hours twice a week and that's not helping me. I don't need a housekeeper I need a nurse there that can take care of her." said Lauren's mother.

And as far as scaring her daughter, the family came to NBC15 because they were already scared. "It didn't scare her because she knows we're trying to keep her nursing. What scares her is not having a nurse."

Medicaid does have several other programs but the state agency has not indicated to NBC15 or to Lauren's family that she qualifies for them.

The Rainey family appealed Medicaid's decision. There will be a fair hearing in front an administrative law judge. The date has not yet been set.

Lauren will keep her nursing care through the appeals process.


reference=http://wpmi.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=57457711-F064-4F7A-8278-A307F7ADE774