Affording Care, Using Care: Devin’s Story

By: Devin Helmick

I live in Central Minnesota and get health care through MinnesotaCare.

I don’t have enough money to purchase private insurance, and my work doesn’t provide healthcare benefits. The situation is complicated by me having a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI)—specifically depression—which pushes me to near suicide and has led to several attempts in the past. Depression made life unbearable for me. Every waking day had some sort of insurmountable suffering that I could not quite overcome, despite outward appearances.

That all changed roughly a year ago when I was lucky enough to be able to get myself a proper diagnostic exam done, and was able to get psychiatric care and medications that have helped me manage my depression. Things are far from perfect, however the difference on my life is night and day already.

There is just one problem: the medications combined cost well over $1000.

I am lucky to have insurance through the state of Minnesota, which is the only reason I’m able to afford the cost of my medications. This health care, however, is chained to my income. If my income rises too much, I could lose coverage and likely end up worse-off, having to get the lowest cost private insurance I could afford.

This is not the only issue I am facing with health care right now.

I currently work in a bakery for a major chain retailer. When working with food, you’re not supposed to be sick. However, the chain I work for punishes you for taking days off due to being sick, and we have no paid sick time available. I know several co-workers who have gone into work because they could not sustain the loss of income. But I don’t blame my coworkers, because we are all strapped for cash and are already facing cuts to our hours. At the end of the day, this is bad for everyone involved.

I am facing discipline for missing too many days of work due to illness and the dangerous weather. Minnesotans need affordable, accessible health care, and also policies that support us using our health care. I shouldn’t have to choose between the care I need and losing income, or worse, losing my job. Neither should anyone else.

We all get sick. Having health care and having time to recover from illness should not be the privilege of only a few—it’s something all Minnesotans deserve.

We all have a health care story, because health care is a basic, fundamental need. This is part of a weekly series during Minnesota’s legislative session where we share the health care stories of Minnesotans like you. Share your story here.