I am 33, and I am disabled. Earlier this month, I went to the ER and was diagnosed with an oral infection that is causing almost 100% blockage in my sinus cavity. I needed next day oral surgery or it could spread to my brain and kill me. I couldn't afford it. Medicare doesn't cover dental.
Medicaid offers dental to pregnant women, children, and the elderly, but not the disabled. Medicare is the federal program in charge of protecting the disabled, and they are failing.
Routine care can prevent infections and gum disease from becoming life-threatening, but how do we get it? We don't. We lose teeth and self-esteem. We don't smile. We don't eat.
Refusing care to 8 million disabled people is negligent, discriminative, and deadly. Demand coverage. Take back your smile. You deserve it.