Local man says government program is forcing him into poverty Share Updated: 11:07 PM CDT May 19, 2021 Share Updated: 11:07 PM CDT May 19, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION. FORCED POVERTY. SULA: 40-YEAR-OLD ANDREW SCHLESINGER HAS SPINA BFIDA, A CONDITION THAT REQUIRES MULTIPLE DOCTOR VISITS A YEAR FOR ONGOING TREATMENT AND CA.RE I HEAV A IT IS BASICALLY A SCMULE RELAXANT PUMP THAT WITHOUT IT, MY KNEES WODUL BE IN MY FACE. SULA: EVERY YEAR, HIS HOSPITAL BILLS ADD UP TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOALLARS. ANDREW IS ON SSI, WHICH QUALIFIES HIM FOR MEDICA.ID HE ALSO HAS MEDICARE BASED ON HIS DISABILITY, SO THE PROGRAMS TAKE CE AROF THE MEDIC BALILLS. THE PROBLEM IS, UNDER SSI ANDREW IS NEVER PERMITTED TO HAVE MORE THAN $2,000 IN THE BANK. HE SAYAT TS HIS RATE, OWNING A CAR, AND A MODEST HOME IS FAR OUT OF REA.CH AT AGE 40, I’M LIVING IN AN APARTMENT, DON’T HAVE MY OWN CA MR,Y OWN HOUSE. SU