Lost Healthcare Coverage, Sudden Tragic Family Death

*IMPORTANT UPDATE

I originally made this gofundme because of my denial of healthcare, but on the 18th my mother tragically died in an apartment fire due to her failing mental health. I have never had to handle a family death before, and I know there are a lot of costs that come with it. My whole family is quite poor, and while we're pitching in together, we're just not very wealthy and this will be a huge impact on us.

If you want to know more about the fire, search for 'Robin Wilkinson Fire Aloha Apartment'

She was an extremely kind, silly, nerdy woman and despite her Christian faith did her best to love and support me when I came out to her as trans. I now have no grandparents or parents. This is probably the worst my life situation has ever been, and I need as much help and compassion as I can get.

Please also consider listening to and buying her memorial album: https://doctorwhoovesassistant.bandcamp.com/album/happy-thoughts-in-memory-of-robin-layne All proceeds go to funeral costs.

ORIGINAL POST:

Hello, my name is Jack. I am a long-time comic artist and voice actor who produces radio plays. Additionally, I work as a peer wellness specialist for various homeless shelters and provide my unique perspective as someone with serious mental health issues. I am also a transman with a lot of health needs, including but not limited to:

8 medications for ADHD, Bipolar 1, Anxiety, and Pre-diabetes

Insomnia

Acid Reflux

C-PAP machine for sleep apnea

Testosterone

Therapy for PTSD, anxiety, and depression

Peer services

Personal Care Assistant

Monthly injections for antipsychotics (the most important, it keeps me from experiencing psychosis)

Pre-diabetes care

Frequent dental care for periodontal disease

A case manager to help coordinate a lot of life issues

Medical ride services

Surgery for a persistent cyst I've had for 2 years

All of this was being covered by the Oregon Health Plan, but last month I was informed my healthcare would be canceled because I am making too much money. I am trying to appeal and figure out what's wrong because my income didn't change much at all, but now I'm supposedly making even too much to qualify for their program with a higher threshold.

So I'll break down all the issues with the current healthcare situation I'm dealing with:

- I believe healthcare runs out on Feb 28th

- OHP was paying my roommate as my Personal Care Assistant, but she's losing that job because of this on Jan 31st, which means the household will have $400 less to work with

- Rent costs $1,740

- OHP threshold is $1,780

- After taxes, I make about $1,800 a month from my peer work; before taxes, around up to $2,400 depending on the days I worked. OHP only counts gross income and not earnings after taxes.

- Roommate can only provide a few hundred at best without the PCA job right now but is looking into rental assistance

- Cheapest insurance costs $370+, and many still come with added costs for meds and appointments

- None of the insurances outside of OHP cover my Invega injections (antipsychotic), which are vital because I cannot keep up with medications consistently, and the injections ensure I am safe for a whole month before needing another. This injection is very expensive when not covered by insurance.

- None of the insurances available outside of OHP work with all the clinics I've been established with

- Can't really afford to have fewer hours without having a cheaper place to live, but it's looking like my only option right now

I have a backup plan in place right now with the clinic that provides my medications, where I will be funded for a while longer while I figure out what to do.

I don't know what is going to happen. I am working with a case manager and my supervisors to try and figure out the best solution, and the best solution looks like finding a way back on Medicare, but the process could take quite a lot of time. I might be able to claim disability with all my conditions and be given more leeway, but the last time I tried to apply, I was rejected. If I can't do this, I will have to work fewer hours at my job, and my roommate will have to make up for those hours somehow to make sure we make enough for rent.

I am asking for a buffer to help keep us stable while this all gets sorted out. Donations could ensure we'll be able to pay bills, and I can get my antipsychotic injections at the very least. Anything that isn't used for this specific situation will go into emergency savings and not be used for anything but emergencies.

Thank you for reading. I hope everyone manages through these difficult times.