New health care law a godsend for Texas lawyer, family

[babylonsister]

New health care law a godsend for Texas lawyer, family

By Maria Recio | McClatchy Newspapers


WASHINGTON — Attorney Andrew Griffin doesn't share the outrage that many of his fellow Texans feel over the Obama administration's new health care law.

Instead, he thinks of his epileptic son Alec, 12, as almost a poster child for the new law and thinks that his family will benefit because it prohibits insurers from denying coverage of a pre-existing condition.

Two years ago, Griffin, a new law school grad, discovered that he made too much money at the Fort Worth law firm he'd just joined to qualify for his son's care under the Texas Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP.)

Alec's seizures, which had begun in 2003 but all but disappeared, had become constant, but more than 60 insurers rejected Griffin's applications for coverage. Turning to his wife, he proposed that they divorce so she and their two children could qualify for federal assistance.

"We'd do whatever it takes for him," said Griffin.

His boss, J. Steven King, was horrified.

"I said I would not let that happen," said King, who runs a family law practice in Fort Worth. He stepped in and proposed instead to cap Griffin's salary at $48,000, the limit for a family of four to quality for CHIP.

"I felt horrible, like I was taking advantage of him," King said.

Griffin had to make sure that he didn't have any assets — a leased car passed muster, but not one he owned, and a house had to be rented — but that way Alec could get the coverage and the surgery he needed.

When the new law kicks in three months from now, however, Griffin looks forward to getting out from under CHIP — and nearly doubling his salary.

The health care law requires insurance companies to accept all applicants, regardless of pre-existing conditions, starting in 2014. Between now and then, the federal government will fund high-risk insurance pools in the states.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/04/25/92810/new-health-care-law-a-godsend.html

[Kdillard]

1. Amen. Hopefully there will be more stories like this and people will

Realize that what Obama and Dems proposed wasn't the end of America.

[midnight]

2. So much wrong with this story. A monkey rigged health system for starters.

Making the sicker jump through more hoops that the less sick. I know I should look on the bright side, at least they can jump or at least they have been given hoops....

An attorney may have a better chance of changing his status of not owning a house or car when this bill changes, but for many, this is a bit more tricky. I know I should look on the bright side, this attorney and many like him have found a loop hole.

As I try to look on the bright side, I see that this attorney is one lucky man. First of all, most law firms that I know of, are not hiring. Most law graduates that I know of are clerking or have started their own firms.

After taking into consideration this brave twelve year old and family who have had to re-arrange their whole existence in order to find access to medical care, all I can say is - really. Then I have to ask why? We have billionaires taking our tax dollars, because basically marital law was threatened, and since they are running the show, this is what the rest of us live with?

I have to ask what would this year look like if instead our tax dollars were spent to keep sick or unemployed families in their homes? Or on a more positive note, what would this country look like if the banks had to see all their assets like their homes, cars, etc.... to receive help?

[DrToast]

3. How can anyone read this story and be opposed to HCR?

It blows my mind that this can happen in America and some people were okay with that.