Johnnie, 40, and Kathleen, 38, are the parents of two sons: 4-year old Luke, and 6-year-old Kalel. Kalel was born with severe developmental and physical disabilities. He is nonverbal and was born with a cleft palate and ribs fused together and required multiple surgeries.
Before Kalel was born, both Johnnie and Kathleen worked in restaurants. Johnnie took some time off to care for Kalel after he was born, but when he tried to go back to work, Kalel stopped eating and fell behind in his therapy. Johnnie realized that for their son to thrive, he would have to stop working. Kathleen continues to work at a restaurant.
Fortunately, Luke and Kalel are both covered by Medicaid, and can get the care they need. But Johnnie and Kathleen are left without any access to affordable health care coverage. Kathleen makes about $1,000 per month, which puts them above the income limit for parents in a family of four to qualify for Medicaid, but they don’t make enough money to qualify for assistance purchasing private insurance.
Johnnie worries about his and his wife’s health. He frequently has severe migraines, and Kathleen has a family history of cancer and is worried that she can’t get screenings.
“If we had health insurance, it would give us peace of mind, more than anything,” Johnnie said. “We wouldn’t have to worry if something happens that we’d be overrun with medical bills. But the main thing is that we want to make sure we’re both around as long as possible for our boys.”
If North Carolina expands Medicaid, both Johnnie and Kathleen will be able to get the health coverage they need.