'The Surgery to Remove the Lung Cancer Is On Hold.' The Shutdown Is Forcing Workers to Delay Vital M

'The Surgery to Remove the Lung Cancer Is On Hold.' The Shutdown Is Forcing Workers to Delay Vital Medical Care

By MAHITA GAJANAN
January 23, 2019

Federal government employees and contracted employees currently affected by the longest-running government shutdown in U.S. history are putting off doctor’s appointments, asking for help through online fundraisers and considering new career paths as medical bills mount.

Corey Myllenbeck, a hydrologic technician for the U.S. Geological Survey who lives in the Tampa area, has an 8-month-old daughter who has had three surgeries since she was born to address a number of medical issues — one for her heart, one to attach her esophagus to her stomach and another to insert a feeding tube. She had the heart surgery when she was 6 months old, and the bills for that started coming shortly before the shutdown, which began on Dec. 22, took effect. He and his wife owe about $4,800. On a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his daughter, Myllenbeck asked for $1,500, which will cover the minimum payment for the surgery. So far, the fundraiser has earned a little more than $100.

The tension of being furloughed with a sick child is taking a physical toll on the 30-year-old father.

“My hair’s falling out,” Myllenbeck says. “I’ve lost a lot of weight.”

More:
http://time.com/5506227/government-shutdown-workers-medical-bills/