Buying Individual Health Insurance: Heart transplant candidate now A Reluctant activist

Enlarge Ted Robbins/NDP

Randy Shepherd, 36, with his wife, Tiffany, was authorized by the Agency of the State of Arizona to indicate heart. But now, due to budget cuts, "says Agency is not able to pay for procedures.

Ted Robbins/NDP Randy Shepherd, 36, with his wife, Tiffany, was authorized by the Agency of the State of Arizona to indicate heart. But now, due to budget cuts, "says Agency is not able to pay for procedures.

This time of year can be tedious to anyone. But one man Arizona is located in the center of the tornado, which has nothing in common with purchases or parties. Randy Shepherd has little energy for any given: this, because it requires the indication of the heart.

But last month, NPR reported that Arizona were cut funding for him and 97 other transplant patients.

First NDP visited Randy Shepherd in his home in Mesa, Ariz., was reluctant to provide the same before the face of controversy.

Now it appears as "go to man." He is getting calls from Bloomberg News, headlines, New York Times, Forbes magazine, ABC and local media.

"The amount of attention that we can download. And really only consideration, "he says. "I'm a private man, but leads to greater."

To this end, it would be a new heart for a maid. He was authorized to indicate by Arizona Medicaid version, called AHCCCS. Then Arizona Legislature and gov.ar. Jan Brewer — authority of the transfer – marriage licences for assistance in resolving the budget deficit. Pieces entered into force in October.

One patient died because, although the doctors say, even indicate whether or not you have saved it. For the Shepherd exposure issue led to the good things.

I'm overwhelmed at the people have on my account.

-Randy Shepherd

After the NDP on the first thread Woman started Facebook page called ' Give Randy Shepherd his heart. " That and other exposure has led to almost $ thousands of contributions from 60 to help Shepherd through the National Fund aid przesadzic.

"I'm overwhelmed at the people have my account — you know, people who don't know me, personally, despite this," said Shepherd. "But somehow relate to my story, I guess. See something me and my family, that they can be. I guess they thought, "but for the grace of God go I." "

Next month, due to his disability, aged 36, Shepherd, becomes for Medicare, which you can pay for 80 percent of its indication of the heart. Return to the list of active for donated by AHCCCS is still the best option.

So by Arizona indicate centres are still arguing with the State. Nance Conney, who heads the program indicate at the University of Arizona, he says, are compiled study showing how some tests and procedures may be eliminated to undercut the cheaper.

"We picked the competent authority and said," WE can improve it. We can make it better, ' "she says.

Arizona Legislature may take a different view on the problem when it convenes designated in January.

In the meantime, the Shepherd is the origin of watching his 3-year-old son, Nathan, while his wife, Tiffany, works. When Nathan Locke, Shepherd says to him, "come och man, here you have difficult."

In such a way as to Shepherd also has an increasingly stringent. He is reluctant to interview with breaks with subject to the reluctant activist. He joined Democrats conference call attention to the message, although it is Republican. Activism, says he came after, and his wife prayed.

"And then it opens up here. To me it is a direct answer to my prayers, "he says. "So if not I'm going to take this opportunity and awareness, to obtain the information there, then Why even bother about?"

Shepherd is the fight of his life. Become to was convinced that the better the chances of him speaking nada to save it.

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