Senator Anderson’s statement is as follows:
"Moving this legislation now will benefit 470,000 uninsured Michigan residents, but you don’t have to take my word for it. There are countless stories of people we represent—and you represent across the aisle—who are depending on this legislation to survive and avoid exorbitant debt in medical costs; people like Joe Ann Burgett fromSt. Clair County—not from my county, but from someone across the aisle—who is here today in the north Gallery. Joe Ann is a national spokeswoman for WomenHeart and a support network coordinator, as well as a You’re the Cure advocate for the American Heart Association. During a heart catheter procedure on July 1, 2002, Ms. Burgett flat lined three times. In 2008, she lost her health care coverage when she left her employment. Due to her lack of health insurance, she went over 18 months without medication. She did not qualify for Medicaid because she was receiving minimum unemployment benefits. She knew her health was gradually deteriorating so, in her words, she “swallowed her pride” and went to the People’s Clinic. It was necessary for her to go there at 12:30 a.m. or 1:00 a.m. and wait in line until the clinic opened the next morning at 7:30 a.m. It was March and it was below freezing. Ms. Burgett said that if you were not the first 10 to 15 people to arrive, you were sent away without seeing anyone. After waiting in line and then having her paperwork processed, an evaluation by a social worker, and her vital signs taken by a nurse, she was still waiting to see the doctor at 10:00 a.m. As a result of the nurse’s evaluation of Ms. Burgett’s vitals, she was informed by the doctor that he had ordered an ambulance to take her to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital emergency room. The doctor told her she was either having a heart attack or a stroke. Despite her dire situation, Ms. Burgett said she was reluctant to take an ambulance and even requested driving herself to the hospital due to the high costs and her lack of insurance. After being released from the hospital with proper medication, Ms. Burgett was required to visit the People’s Clinic monthly to refill her medications. According to Ms. Burgett, “I am just one of thousands of women in America who die or are in near-death situations and have to go to the emergency room for care because we cannot afford to see a cardiologist on a regular basis or purchase medications that are necessary to save our lives. One American dies of cardiovascular disease every 40 seconds, and takes the lives of more than 2,150 Americans each day.” How many of those deaths could be prevented by adequate health care, proper diagnosis, and treatment? It is absolutely vital that we take the time to return and resolve these issues with this Medicaid expansion crisis. There is not 40 seconds to waste. While Joe Ann’s story is harrowing, there are 470,000 more like it that are going to continue until we pass Medicaid expansion in Michigan. Simply put, we need to get this done and as soon as possible, and adjourning now only delays that. We have the votes to do this today, and that’s why I voted against the adjournment of session. We have a quorum, and we have the Gallery filled with supporters today. People like Joe Ann Burgett’s lives hang in the balance, and we should not delay on this important legislation any further. Today, the Michigan Senate let Joe Ann Burgett and let the people of Michigan down."
Here is the link to the entire journal for the session:http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(mrypkjmr2s513rir35z30455))/documents/2013-2014/Journal/Senate/pdf/2013-SJ-07-03-061.pdf Page 1288 JOURN, 2013] [No. 61 AL OF THE SENATE [July 3
Posted 7/12/2013
2014 Volunteer Recognition Award
Presented to
Joe Ann Burgett
in appreciation pf your service, courage, commitment
& belief in our life-saving mission
American Heart Association
American Stroke Association
***This was awarded for my advocacy efforts for Medicaid Expansion in Michigan in July, 2013
