JONATHAN WILSON / Staff Photographer
Ruby Spencer with her son Dennis at her homein Logan. "I can't wait till I'm 65 to get Medicare," she said. "I'll probably be dead by then."
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A sick woman's odyssey without health insurance
Ruby Spencer had a football-sized tumor in her gut and was turned away at Temple University Hospital's ER.
the welfare office where Spencer was told she was ineligible. She went to an emergency room and to a city clinic, but both referred her back to the welfare office. Turned down by everyone, she just went home. No one advocated on her behalf until The Inquirer got involved. The case shows how difficult it can be to navigate
Contact staff writer Michael Vitez at 215-854-5639 or mvitez@phillynews.com.
the health system without insurance.
Help for Uninsured
In Pennsylvania
Medical Assistance, go to www.dpw.state.pa and click on Apply for Benefits.
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program: 1-800-986-KIDS(5437)
adultBasic: low cost coverage for adults, 1-800-GO-BASIC (462-2742). There's
a waiting list.
Pa. Health Law Project: Free legal services. 1-800-274-3258 staff@phlp.org
In New Jersey
Medical Assistance: 1-800-356-1561
FamilyCare: 1-800-701-0710
Hospital Charity Care: Contact your hospital's business office.
Prescription Drugs: 1-888-793-6765 or www.rx4nj.org
Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund: help with overwhemling bills for children under 18: 1-800-335-3863
Community Health Law Project 1-888-838-3180 or 856-858-9500
SOURCES: Pa. Health Law Project, Community Health Law Project
Contact staff writer Michael Vitez at 215-854-5639 or mvitez@phillynews.com.
