Lori Kelley’s deteriorating vision has made it hard for her to find steady work.
The 59-year-old, who lives in Harrisburg, North Carolina, closed her nonprofit circus arts school last year because she could no longer see well enough to complete paperwork. She then worked making dough at a pizza shop for a bit. Currently, she sorts recyclable materials, including cans and bottles, at a local concert venue. It is her main source of income ― but the work isn’t year-round.
“This place knows me, and this place loves me,” Kelley said of her employer. “I don’t have to explain to this place why I can’t read.”
Kelley, who lives in a camper, survives on less than $10,000 a year. She says that’s possible, in part, because of her Medicaid health coverage, which pays for arthritis and anxiety medications and has enabled doctor visits to manage high blood pressure.
But she worries about losing that coverage next year, when rules take effect requiring millions of people like Kelley to work, volunteer, attend school, or perform other qualifying activities for at least 80 hours a month.
“I’m scared right now,” she said.
Lori Kelley of Harrisburg, North Carolina, has deteriorating vision that affects her livelihood. Last year, she had to shutter her nonprofit because she couldn’t see well enough to do paperwork. Under Medicaid’s new work requirements, Kelley is concerned about losing access to care for her high blood pressure and anxiety.(A.M. Stew …