Currently, my father (a Native American-Sioux) is in a Nursing Home in Phoenix and is about ready to be let out (in three days from this email) because his insurance will not pay for full-time care. He is on Social Security Disability, but his medical coverage does not become active for another six to seven months. His wife cannot take care of him due to her own physical limitations, and the medications that he needs total over $400, which they cannot pay for. What we need is some information on what we can do to help him. Is there an organization or resource that is available?

I am so sorry that this is happening to your father. I can only imagine how worried you all are about taking care of him now and in the future. I have a few suggestions, which I an unsure will help, but at least we can try.

Have you been in contact with the Phoenix Indian Medical Center? It would seem to me that your father would quality for some type of services since he is a Native American, and Phoenix has many programs available. You might also contact the Indian Health Area Office/Indian Community Resources which is a federally funded program. We also have a Medicaid program in Arizona called ACCSS.

Also, have you discussed this with his physician? Most have closets full of sample drugs that they can supply for a short time and can help you get the pharmaceutical information to apply for medicine support directly from the companies. Some call this compassionate use.

KS