Humans of Clarkston

In Georgia today there are 1.2M without health insurance – the 2nd highest rate in the nation.  And with the recent passage of H.R. 1, current estimates suggest that an additional 500,000-650,000 people will lose their health insurance in the years ahead in our state.  We must do better.

Each one of these individuals has a story to tell, and this series – Humans of Clarkston – presents real stories of our patients.  

If you want to help someone like Rahul, please donate today.  We cannot do this without your support.

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What is your name?  Rahul Agarwal (name has been changed for the purpose of this story to keep the patient anonymous).

What is your story?  I’m from India, and I used to live in Dubai, where their health services were wonderful and easy to use.  They are affordable, and the companies pay for it.  We are here with an employer, but we didn’t get appropriate insurance through them.  We want to make sure that we don’t spend a lot on healthcare, but my wife has type 2 diabetes, so we would get the medicine from back home in India— every six months a relative would visit and bring the medicine.  One time she was high in her sugar levels, and we approached a local doctor and he wrote some prescriptions.  Ten tablets were $640, and it was unaffordable.  So, when I was India, I’d buy a six months supply. 

How did you find out about MHC?  I’ve been here for one and a half years now, still trying to figure out how do we get easy access to healthcare.  My sister has been residing in Atlanta for almost 15 years, and she did some research and suggested we try MHC for healthcare services for uninsured people like us.  We took an appointment— it was so easy, and we were so shocked and amazed.  Right from the reception, greeting every single patient with a smile.  The staff always have a positive attitude to help people.  We thought, “How can they do all these things?”  We paid a consultation fee that we can afford, compared to what we were paying and what other people expect to pay.  

My wife was given proper medication, and they did some tests.  We had to log her sugar levels for a month, and the results came back in two days.  We got a call saying that her sugar levels were really high and her cholesterol levels were touching the sky.  They said, “You must come right away because the doctor wants to give something to you.”  Most places don’t care, but they followed up.  Things are now all in control.

What has MHC meant to you?  I am very, very happy.  These things you can’t find for free or almost free.  We met with the Community Health Worker and my wife was offered a mammogram.  He also taught us about what diabetes is and what happens in the body, the reactions, and what happens to the sugar.  I was so amazed by his knowledge.  My wife, for the first time, was motivated to control her sugar levels.  She’s been walking and taking her insulin as prescribed.  I ordered a treadmill for her so she can walk in any weather.  This was all motivation we got from your health clinic.  My mother is the one who normally goes in and out from India— so now we don’t need any more medicine from back home. 

The doctors listen to us.  I was helped with allergies that I wake up with at night, but it wasn’t just pollen.  I was given a nasal spray that works, and now I can sleep peacefully.  People do these kinds of social services, but sometimes you will find an attitude—100% of the people at MHC are good people.  To other people who are uninsured, who are not covered, I’m always telling them about MHC.  You all are doing a wonderful job and please keep it that.