HEARING - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

82
Recently, Karri Lynn has started to come out of her coma.
When she was examined by a doctor at Harmarville Rehabilitation
Center in Pittsburgh, in November of 1985, he said that it was
imperative that Karri receive coma therapy immediately for her to
regain any normal mental functioning. I was told by Medicare,
however, that this therapy would not be covered because Karri did
not enter therapy Immediately after she left the hospital. The
therapy would cost $8,000 a month or $200 dollars a day. We
don't have the money to pay for this.
On top or Karri's problems, my husband suffered a heart
attack 2 years after her accident. He has not been able to work
since then. He receives $612 a month in Social Security
disability Insurance and $312 a month In pension benefits from
Bethlehem Steel. He worked for Bethlehem Steel for 21 years.
Hie is a Korean War Veteran, and was a prisoner of war for 33
months. Karri Lynn's brother was injured In an accident soon
arter Karri was injured. As a result, he needed medical care for
1 gear, compiling medical bills of $9752. Fortunately, this was
paid for by welfare. Since Karri Lynn has required constant
attention since her accident, and we can't afford a live-in
nurse, I have been unable to work. Karri Lynn Is, however, being
seen once a week by a skilled nurse.
I would like to thank you for allowing me to tell you
Karri Lynn's story. I just want to add that there are alot of
people In this country who are suffering through a situation very
similar to Karri's. It is comforting to see that the federal
government is finally taking an interst in our problems.