‘Coverage needs to be affordable for everyone’

Valerie Cochran, 61, of Camden

Photo by Whit Sides

“We’re all gonna get sick. That’s life. But coverage needs to be affordable for everyone.”

Valerie is disabled, living without health coverage in rural Wilcox County. After 30 surgeries, she’s got thousands of dollars in medical debt.

During a routine colonoscopy, doctors removed a tumor in Valerie’s stomach. After receiving the hospital bill, she became so worried about the cost of follow-up care at the cancer center that she chose to delay treatment. Valerie hopes to get Medicare coverage through SSDI after she turns 62 later this year. Until then, her options are limited.

“Medicaid expansion would make a world of difference for me, and other people like me. With my issues, I should be taking care of my health, not living in fear of how much it’s going to cost to take care of myself.”