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Today, many Americans face hardships due to rising healthcare costs. “Out of Pocket” shares the story of Myrna Esteva, Angelo Hevia, and Jorge Valdez, Americans who have either lost their Medicaid or cannot afford the monthly costs of health insurance. Experts Dr. Shedrick Boren and Dr. Rashida Biggs talk about many unanswered topics of the healthcare system.
Myrna Esteva, an administrative assistant with chronic back pain, unknowingly lost her Medicaid and found out after being turned away in a doctor’s office. Esteva now faces difficult financial decisions such as deciding whether to pay for rent or buy gas.
Angelo Hevia also has to make significant financial decisions as well. Hevia often finds himself choosing the generic brand over name brand prescriptions due to the high costs attached to them.
Dr. Shedrick Boren questions the goals of healthcare providers, asking if they prioritize financial gain over the health of its customers. Jorge Valdez risks life without healthcare as his job fails to provide him with enough money to afford health insurance. He often depends on home remedies and treatments to cure any sickness he might have.
Dr. Rashida Biggs then stresses the need for more community programs to increase healthcare accessibility to improve the lives of those most affected.
Stories like these occur not only in Florida, but across the country. It affects both young and elderly alike. Our hope with this documentary is that it begins a larger conversation in Florida about more accessible healthcare programs and the expansion of services like Medicaid to allow for more to enroll and receive the necessary assistance that they need.
