What US state has the best treatment options for the non insured

[traveltramp]

I may have to return to the USA to live in the next 12 months or so and I have no job, no insurance and am basicly indigent, sounds horrible to say but at least there is only one way to go from starting at point 0...

Anyway, my question is this... I would like to know if anyone has any idea of what state offers the best "help" ....  Support, meds, doctors etc.

Thanks,
TravelTramp

[thunter34]

Well, there are several other things to consider as well.  My first hunch would be to say it would likely be New York or California versus, say....South Carolina or somwehere.  However, it's also a tad more expensive to live in NY than in SC.  I mean - if you have absolutely nothing, where are you planning to sleep?  Get food, etc?  Those things have to be taken into account as well because they would be important in the overall balance of your health.  A state that offered the whole buffet line of services right down to acupuncture and massage may not do you as good as a state that offers less services if you can't maintain an adequate and nutritious diet and a decent, restful pace to hang your hat at night.

And your post suggests you're just looking to land somewhere in the US.  Do you have family or friends that you are expecting to stay with for some time at first? 

[David_CA]

I can't say for everybody or every state, but my hubby was on NC's program last year.  They told him he'd be on a waiting list.  He was... for a week or so.  I'll have to ask him to verify the exact time, but he had really good care on the plan.  I'll echo what Tim said about South Carolina.  Read this article. 

David

[LordBerners]

I've recently come home for a few weeks visit, travel tramp, and it has been a nightmare.  Apparently I may have lymphoma, and trying to get a biopsy in the US is not only very slow and difficult compared to overseas, the cost is mind boggling.  I will probably have to pay up front at least $1,500.

Please if you can avoid it do not come to the US.

[Jeff G]

 Chicago Ill . , The doctors and staff at Northwestern University hospital took really good care of me despite my lack of insurance . Also Chicago is an affordable city to live in compared to other large city's . One thing to be aware of is Chicago still has away to go in providing housing for PWA"S . If you can work you can find a job there . I lived there for about 13 years . If you can get used to the brutal winters Chicago is a great town .

[mjmel]

You are an American citizen traveling or temporaily living abroad? Not trying to be invasive here but the answer to that could qualify or disqualify you for different social sevices programs.
You can find the best of care in some little out of the way town in Ohio or in larger cities like Chicago, IL or NYC (but I'd avoid New Orleans, Lousiana or Tennessee ). You might situate yourself where you'd expect to find aid easily only to encouter long hours of standing in long lines to fill out endless forms (Hello Long Beach, California!)--depending where you locate and who you deal with. To my thinking, it's like a game of roulette unless you take the proper measures beforehand. It's a big ass country, as you know.
You've made an inquiry here, and thats good for starteres. Followup with phone calls to agencies of selected states here--once you get enough feedback from your personal quest/research. I would heartily encourage you to do this before you arrive on US soil unless you are have arranged accommodations with friend or relative stateside.

Mike

[Oceanbeach]

You might situate yourself where you'd expect to find aid easily only to encouter long hours of standing in long lines to fill out endless forms (Hello Long Beach, California!)--depending where you locate and who you deal with. To my thinking, it's like a game of roulette unless you take the proper measures beforehand. It's a big ass country, as you know.

The Care Clinic at St. Mary's in Long Beach and the Care Program at St. Mary's are the best in the state.  They were the first non-profit to offer HIV services and virtually every HIV center in California has copied the available services.  Many people living with HIV in Long Beach can not be accepted at St. Mary's because there is a waiting list.  Many of my friends were to Harbor General in Gardenia.  Although affiliated with UCLA and USC, Harbor General is not a good place for HIV care, getting through the metal detectors at any door is not an easy task.  I took a friend there once for an appointment which was made in advance.  His ability to pay had expited between the time the appointment was made and the actual appointment.  It was 8:00 AM and had to requalify before the appointment, the room where the paperwork was to be done was empty.  He went to the window and was told to take a number and wait.

For non-insured, it is not possible to choose medical care by state because each state has different funding levels.  As an example there are now 6 Title I EMA's in California as opposed to the previous 9.  For the non-insured, I would not recommend moving to Sacramento, Sonoma or Santa Clara Counties as they have recently lost their Title I funding.  If you can afford to live in San Francisco, San Bernadino, Los Angeles, Contra Costa, Marin, or San Diego Counties, you can get acceptable care without insurance but every place else in California is Title II funded and all Title II monies go to the State of California before going to the healthcare provider.  When the state budget is not approved on time (Arnold Schwartzenneger has never balanced the budget on time), the funds are held until the budget is approved.  Therefore, Federal funding is held until the state gets their shit together.  Have the best day
Michael