Debbie Witcomb can?t forget the mothers of sick children crying on the phone.
They plead for help because they have no health insurance for their children, said Witcomb, a nurse at the Carroll County Health Department.
She?s thankful she can get treatment for the kids, paid for by the nonprofit Carroll County Children?s Fund.
“If we didn?t have this,” she said, “it would be very tough to tell the crying mother, ?I?m sorry, but you have to apply for insurance.? ”
Witcomb and another nurse distribute vouchers that provide health care to nearly 100 uninsured children a year.
The fund pays for treatment, reimbursing pediatricians and dentists, normally at $50 for treating sick children, fund President Dorothy Taylor said
Pediatricians often rearrange their schedules to take on the risk of a new, uninsured patient, Witcomb said.
But while officials emphasize that no emergency is turned away, too many low-income patients have put a strain on dentists in the program.
“They are just inundated with the number of low-income kids they see,” Taylor said. “They?re at their wits? end because they just can?t take any more patients.”
Still, no emergency case will be turned away, she said, and vouchers can help with anything from a cavity to pneumonia.
“You never know when a child is going to get sick or run a fever,” Taylor said. “These arekids who don?t see the doctor regularly.”
If families don?t know there?s help, they may not know they could qualify for insurance. Ignoring a minor symptom often eventually leads to a trip to the emergency room, where expenses double or triple and are more difficult to pay, inducing a vicious cycle of debt and illness.
“If you don?t have health insurance and you?re feeling bad, you?d probably say, ?I?m going to wait this out,? ” said Terrie Coglianese, the other nurse who distributes vouchers. “But if your child is sick, you need help right away.”
HOW TO HELP
» What: Second annual Taste of the World, featuring international food, belly dancers and music
» Where: Carroll County Career & Technology Center
» Why: To pay for treatment of sick children
» When: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 6 to 8 p.m.
» For tickets: Call 410-848-2244
Cost: $40; two for $75
