My name is Stacy. I’m here to ask for help for my son, Cortez. He’s almost 24. He was born with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the way your body makes mucus. It’s a condition that causes damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body. The mucus in CF patients become too sticky and thick. The secretions plug up the pathways, especially in the lungs and pancreas.
Cortez was on Medicaid until May 2024. Within 3 weeks of Medicaid kicking him off, he was hospitalized. He was kicked off because he has a job making $17 and hour. He signed up for health insurance through his employer. He has United Healthcare Insurance. He ended up with a $6,500 out of pocket deductible and 3 months later even though he met his deductible, UHC raised his deductible. Meaning, he couldn’t get his meds unless he paid his copay. January 2025, he was hospitalized again. He was charged another $7,000 deductible. He was hospitalized with pneumonia in May 2025 and again charged $7,000 deductible. UHC is insane! We are trying to get his meds. They refused to cover his nebulizer Sodium Chloride 7% Neb. He takes Trikafta which is almost $300 after Insurance. He takes enzymes which after Insurance is over $100.
Medicaid will only offer him coverage on a spend down. Meaning he has to pay out of pocket $6,500 a month before anything is covered for that month. Absolutely ridiculous!
He needs help. I’m a single parent with a child im still raising. He struggles with everyday stuff. He works to pay what he can including his car note. We are at the precipice. Help!
