Dh and I have a good friend who lives in another state (Texas). He is close to 60 years old. He was laid off several years ago due to the economy and has been unable to find other work. Previously he had been highly paid and had saved a bit of money which is now gone. He has since been selling on Ebay and is a powerseller now. Several months ago he was in an automobile accident where he was a passenger and injured. He began seeing a doctor to help with the pain. The doctor prescribed a pain medication that has caused severe liver damage. His skin has turned a dark yellow and he has been in excrutiating pain. He has no health insurance. He went to the county emergency room yesterday, but after hours of not being seen and not being able to lie down, he left without being treated. The doctor who previously prescribed the medication saw him a couple days ago and did not charge for this last visit, but offered no other suggestions due to him not having insurance. Previous to this she had been avoiding him and would not take his calls.

I suggested he call an ambulance but he is worried about the cost and does not want to be admitted to the hospital as he says his rent and bills are due and he needs to be home in order to list his items on Ebay. Even though he admitted he is too weak and ill to try to list his items which are things he has around the house. He even is worrying about food at this point. Please pray for him and offer any suggestions as to what he can do. I just received an email from him as I write this, that says he is going to call his doctor to see if she can have him admitted to any hospital. He is not a churchgoer but is a strong Christian who graduated from a Bible College years ago. He is believing God will heal him, but he is suffering so bad. We're afraid he is going to die.

Sending prayers right now for him! That is so sad.

I was curious if your state has a health care plan for sick uninsured individuals. If he has an unpaid doctor or hospital bill- they can usually put them on the plan and cover most of the cost! I would check to see if their is anything like that available and I am hoping that the doctors are willing to help him (if they don't that is wrong- it is against their oath they take in order to perform medical practices!).

Also check to see if there is any food banks in his area that can help him with his foods (I know a few will actually deliver it to individuals that have trouble getting around) or even a Meals on Wheels! The only other thing I can think of is to maybe you can go to his house if he is admitted to the hospital and sell some of his items for him- take them home and send it from your place since he lives so far away!

I'm so sorry to hear this. In addition to the above, my only thought is that our church has missionaries, who are always in most every area, and could go and check on him, and I think the church could provide asstance, like food, if you or he is interested. You can PM me if you are, and I'll have my husband help me find the right number and person's name to get to you, or him.

You might also try contacting his county's police department, they could give you names and numbers of people that might be able to help him, assistance ministires, andwhat not. I know there are a lot of programs and food banks in Texas.

__________________
"And the state of his bathroom -- I'm not one to gossip, but there are things crusted on his sink that have not simply developed intelligent life but have in all probability by now evolved their own political systems." Cain describes Abel in in SANDMAN #70

I would do checking on state health options. If he has no income, he should have no problem getting coverage. (My concern is that it would take going to an appt to get the paperwork filled out and he's soo ill!) I know that some doctors offices will actually help get the paperwork filled out for you. I think that they are nurses in community clinics that do this... Also, I agree with the other post about talking to a local church about help. Also, checking out family missions in the area. There are food pantrys available... I hope things work out for his family.

I live in Pennsylvania and he lives in Texas so I do not know about the insurance in his state and cannot go to his house to sell his things.

Oh- that is too hard- I thought he was like a state away from you! I live in Pa as well!

I would maybe look on the computer for Texas Welfare Department and it should give you a list of things that they offer! I also agree about calling the cops or a church to see if there is any churches that reach out to local people throughout the community!

Our hospital and main doctors' group in our little town in Oregon is Catholic. The hospital and doctors' group charge based on one's income. You still have to pay for prescriptions (outside the hospital), but if admitted to the program, you payments to the hospital and doctors' group are on a sliding scale based on income and family size.

Does Texas require patients to be admitted to county or public hospitals regardless of their ability to pay? That is something he should find out from social services. In many states, they have to take you regardless of insurance. If he came to the hospital in an ambulance, I believe they have to take him or find a hospital who will (if he isn't about to die any second.)

There is one other possibility, since his injury is a result of a car accident, either his insurance or the other driver's should cover medical expenses related to the car accident unless he has received a settlement from them already.

My husband was in a severe car accident (someone turned left in front of him) about 15 years ago and all his medical bills were automatically sent to the other driver's insurance company and were paid by that insurance company.

This new injury/damage to his liver is a result of treatment (medication) for the injury from the car accident. Find out what has been happening with his car insurance and payments for medical treatment. If it isn't happening, that should be investigated and pursued. We pay for car insurance for many reasons.

Has he tried getting on disability? This will give him some money and
pay his medical bills. I had a uncle almost in same shape but he had cancer
but the situation was the same no money. Thank goodness my aunt was there.
But she signed him up on disablility, meals on wheels I know they bring at least
one meal a day to them. She also checked with her local dhs office on other programs
that would help. Also if he has a huge amount of medical bills he may be eligible
for a medical spend down it's also called some other names. But i think it's were
the hospital gets a tax break for excusing someones medical bills who cannot afford
them. My father in law had to do this because he had a stroke and his medical bills
were so extensive. I hope this helps you. I'll see if I can find anything else out for
you.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and suggestions. His doctor finally agreed to admit him to a Methodist Hospital that treats those without insurance. So he is okay for the time being. There were lots of good suggestions you provided and when he gets out, I will forward these on to him. I just found out that he had to stand for 7 hours in the county hospital emergency room before he had had enough and left. He said all the seats were taken. I don't blame him for leaving. Please continue the prayers. Thanks again, they are very much appreciated.