Where to go for help when family member is dying and fired?
Question:
My brother in law is dying of lung cancer. Their Corporate HR person came to critical care unit and fired him and had him sign release papers. He will now lose his insurance unless he can pay $964 a month for Cobra. My sister works but doesn't make enough money to pay for that and all of their other bills without his salary. He has since been placed in Palative care because he has less than 6 months to live and will be on heavy morphine until he dies. She has tried Social Security office, he has to be not getting paid for 6 months before they will help her. Medicaid said that he can't get that because he has access to his cobra even though they can't afford it. They don't qualify for any assistance because my sister makes $12 an hour which is a very small income to support a family on. The hospital told her today that she needs to take him home and someone needs to be with him 24/7 until he dies, which she can't do and work at the same time. Any ideas??
Answers:
I'm very sorry to hear about your brother...
Find a local Hospice...they are specifically set up to help provide this type of care ...they will understand what you're going through...and I'm confident they'll help you in any and every way they can.
My heart goes out to you.
http://www.hospicenet.org/
*Edit*
Did you talk w/ the Hospice directly? If not, I would highly recommend doing so...they may have their own financial resources (they are usually funded w/ local, state and federal money...as well as private donations). Or, they may know how to work more effectively w/ the insurance company... since they deal w/ them all the time.
Also...try calling local newspapers and/or TV stations... get some exposure for your brother's situation...and put some pressure on the insurance company. TV stations usually have a consumer advocate that might be able to help...and at the newspaper look for a popular local columnist who has loyal readers that can provide a broader base of local feedback and ideas.
Try calling on your state Representative at your state capital...or your representatives and Senators in Washington...these are tremendously powerful and influential people w/ great resources available to them:
http://www.senate.gov/
http://www.house.gov/
If all else fails...and I'm totally serious...call Oprah.Dr. Phil...Greg Behrendt...Montel Williams...etc...it's worth a phone call to try!! Even if they don't put your situation on the show...they may be able to direct you to a non-profit agency or some other type of help.
Just keep trying...you're doing all you can if you just keep trying!!
omg,what a horrible thing to do to someone who is in grave condition,and their family!!my heart goes out to you and your family.have you tried to get him into a hospice home? well i hope things get better for all of you.i will keep you in my prayers.
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