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Stories of Impact: Becky's
In small towns and rural communities, access to affordable healthcare can be a lifeline.
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In small towns and rural communities, access to affordable healthcare can be a lifeline, especially for those who work hard but still find themselves unable to afford the basic necessities. This is the ALICE population: Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed. They earn above the federal poverty level but not enough to afford all of the essentials like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare.
At just 32 years old, Becky is a stay-at-home mother of four. In late 2024, her life was turned upside down by a sudden and terrifying health crisis. She began experiencing severe cardiac symptoms including passing out, numbness throughout her body, and a heart rate soaring into the 200s. In the span of five days, Becky was rushed to the hospital by ambulance three times. During her final ER visit, doctors discovered a mass on her brain. An MRI revealed it was a rare and serious condition requiring specialized care.
But Becky faced an overwhelming obstacle: she had no insurance. Though her children remained on Medicaid, Becky and her husband had lost their coverage simply because his full-time job pushed their income slightly above the eligibility limit. They couldn't afford private insurance, and like many ALICE families, they were ineligible for public assistance yet unable to afford private alternatives. That's when someone told her about her local free and charitable clinic.
In small towns and rural communities, clinics are often the only resource bridging the widening gap between healthcare access and affordability. “They were a godsend,” Becky says. “They helped me get in to see a heart specialist, a neurologist, and a neurosurgeon. They've made sure I have my medications and monthly follow-ups. I really don't know what I would've done without them.”
Becky now visits the clinic monthly as she continues to manage her condition. The clinic has become an essential part of her healthcare journey, not just for her, but for her husband as well. When he recently ran out of blood pressure medication, the clinic made sure he was seen promptly and received the care he needed. Becky has since referred others in similar situations to the clinic which has proven to be a vital safety net. “I would be absolutely lost without them,” she said. “We're so lucky to have such a good free clinic - it's a blessing.”
