KENTUCKY MOUNTAIN HEALTH ALLIANCE

Improve the health and well-being of Southeastern Kentucky citizens who are underserved or at risk for homelessness in a respectful manner through a coordination of holistic services.

It is not hard to understand why 26,000 Americans die each year simply because they lack health insurance. The uninsured delay seeking medical care, even though they may suffer ominous symptoms, for fear a stay in the emergency room or the hospital will mean financial ruin. Others die from undetected illnesses such as hypertension which could have easily and inexpensively treated by a family physician or practitioner.

Thomas Kirkland first arrived at the Little Flower Clinic in July 2009. He had not seen a doc

tor or taken any medications in two months because he has lost his job and insurance due to his illness. Thomas informed the staff he was denied assistance through Medicaid because he was considered an “able bodied adult without children”, even though he had a history of heart disease. At age 14 Thomas underwent heart surgery to repair a heart murmur and his aorta.

While he was waiting to be seen by the provider he informed the staff he was having chest pains and was immediately rushed by ambulance to Hazard ARH where he underwent heart cauterization. After the cauterization, he was informed he had to have six

inches of his aorta repaired. After the heart surgery, in 2010, Thomas was awarded disability but he had to wait two years before he had medical coverage so he continued to receive services at the clinic. Thomas continued to receive care from Darian Ratliff, who is a volunteer physician at Little Flower Clinic. He also got assistance with his medications, necessary diagnostic procedures and eye glasses.

Thomas states, “He is thankful that the Little Flower Clinic will help people and they won’t look down on you because you don’t have insurance.”