You hear a lot of the problems with government, but my story is different. Without government help, I wouldn't be able to write this.
My husband and I always worked hard and planned a life that centered on raising a family. We both went back to school, receiving master's degrees in education while working full-time jobs and raising two children.
My husband was hired right after graduation with a great job teaching gifted and talented students through BOCES.
Unfortunately for us, school district budget cuts meant my untenured husband was one of the first to lose his job. He continued to work various part-time jobs, none of which offered health insurance.
I had been substitute teaching to help make ends meet.
Luckily, our children qualified for Child Health Plus. And for us as adults, we obtained coverage through COBRA — the program that allows individuals to continue health insurance coverage, as long as you can afford it.
But COBRA only lasted so long and it became impossibly expensive. We faced a hard choice — feed our family, pay our mortgage and attempt to stay on top of necessary utility bills or have health insurance.
We were so afraid to not have health insurance because of all the horror stories we had heard about uninsured people and catastrophic illness. It was extremely scary to go from always having great health insurance from our jobs to suddenly being uninsured.
During this extremely stressful time, I discovered a lump in my right breast. I had been diligent about receiving mammography screening and breast exams from the age 30 because of a family history of breast cancer. After every annual checkup, my doctor told me I was fine and every year I received a mammography report that was normal. But now I had a lump and no health insurance.
Our local newspaper ran a special series on breast cancer and I saw an ad for free screenings through the Saratoga County Cancer Service Program. I broke down crying and shared my fears with the representative, who assured me that the CSP could help me if I met the base requirements — to be at least 40 years old and an uninsured resident of Saratoga County.
The CSP personnel were so kind and quick to act. They got me right in for an exam. They assured me that if I did have cancer, they would cover the cost. I couldn't believe it and was surprised to know such a program existed.
I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. What a life changing moment. I had two little kids, no health insurance and a husband working three jobs.
The staff at CSP took care of everything for me — treatment, paperwork and they took away the anxiety we had about our grim financial future. Cancer is very expensive, especially so for the uninsured. I was treated with surgery, radiation and now continue with medication to prevent a return of cancer.
The Cancer Services Program truly saved my life and gave me hope. I believe my physical, emotional and financial life was saved by this program. I am grateful each day for all the wonderful folks who dedicate their lives to helping in the fight against cancer and who serve the program and clients so well.
In our community, there are thousands of people suffering from cancer and we must do all that we can to ensure that more people are spared the horrors of this insidious disease. Ensuring that uninsured New Yorkers have access to cancer screenings through the Cancer Services Program is a vital service that must be continued.
Unfortunately, state support for the CSP is at risk. The governor's proposed budget cuts overall funding for public health programs, including CSP.
As lawmakers debate the state budget, I hope that they think of my story and others like me.
State programs for the uninsured should be a priority and need to be protected. Let's hope that the state budget reflects that priority.
Suzanne Farr lives in Wilton.