Jobless woman self-medicates, tries to stay healthy
Kathryn Cunningham has lived in the netherworld of the state's health system since she lost her job as a case manager with the Bristol County sheriff's office a year and a half ago. The state government, without reviewing her case in detail, says she should qualify for MassHealth, but she insists that she isn't eligible. Her house and car are paid for, and the 47-year-old Taunton resident uses the money from temporary jobs and her dwindling savings to pay for groceries, water, and electricity. There isn't enough left over to pay for private insurance. ''You self-medicate, and you try not to get sick," she said. ''Somebody's got some old medicine hanging around? Give it to me! That's how you do it." When she is really sick, she goes to hospital emergency rooms for free care. She says she understands that ''there is a segment of the population that needs some coverage," but she insists she isn't part of it. ''They're poor," Cunningham said. ''I come from a middle-class background: My father was in the military, and my mother was a teacher. We never had to go without anything," Cunningham said. ''Hopefully, I'll be employed soon. It's just a tough economy out there." 