News Story (Indiana)
Jill Glavan
WTTV (Indianapolis)
April 5, 2017
WATCH THE FULL STORY HERE
Tags: Disability Rights, Health Care
Organizations mentioned/involved: Indiana Legal Services (ILS)
DETAILS
Doctors diagnosed Pollaro with epilepsy in 1969, when she was less than two years old. A few years ago, she moved from western New York to Indiana, seeking out a new treatment that might lessen her seizures.
Soon, though, Pollaro said it was not just her brain – but the state – blocking her way.
“I was running out of medications and I couldn’t get a doctor lined up,” Pollaro said.
That’s because the state denied her Medicaid, saying she wasn’t eligible. Pollaro had to get a lawyer through Indiana Legal Services.
Staff attorney Amy Freeland took on Pollaro’s case, and won it, but every year since then, when Pollaro has to go through a reassessment for eligibility, she’s been denied again. Each time, Freeland has had to step in and work to get her benefits reinstated.