Nothing short of a miracle

Dear Congressman Sablan,

I am personally writing to you to express and extend my utmost gratitude for the prompt and effective assistance I received from your good office early last week. This is in regards to the reversal of the State of Nevada’s earlier decision to deny me Medicaid assistance on the basis that “I am not a U.S. citizen.”

As you may recall, sir, my problem was initially communicated to you via email through a family member (Kimo Rosario) on Aug. 6, 2011. This came shortly after I shared the official denial letter that I received from the Reno District Nevada Welfare and Supportive Services (NWSS) with Kimo. The latter informed me that the basis of the denial letter was legally flawed and outrageous—to say the least. Naturally, I agreed with Kimo which would explain my decision to appeal Nevada State’s findings. In fact, prior to receiving the said letter, I was verbally informed by my caseworker that my application for Medicaid benefits was denied because “I was born before 1986, the year the Northern Mariana Islands established its political relationship with the U.S., and therefore, I am not a U.S. citizen.” This prompted me to seek your assistance.

To my amazement, less than three minutes after we sent you an email seeking your help, you responded with: “Nevada cannot be more wrong. Like you, I was also born prior to (way prior to) 1986, and I am a citizen.” Admittedly, this simple yet powerful statement gave me a stronger sense of hope and strengthened my confidence to challenge the State of Nevada’s decision.

For your information, congressman, I applied for Medicaid benefits in February 2011. I was subsequently denied in March after the Welfare and Supportive Services Office informed me that I failed to produce the required documents requested of me. After proving NWSS wrong and showing the agency that I did in fact provided them with the requested documents, I was informed sometime in April 2011 that I had to re-apply to which I did. In the same month, NWSS informed me anew that I was denied and that I should be receiving an official letter stating the reasons behind its decision. You may not know this, sir, but I raked up a medical bill of over $20,000 when I was hospitalized sometime in February of this year. I was informed by the Welfare Office that it would take care of this exorbitant medical expense once my application for Medicaid is approved. Fortunately for me, my young children’s Medicaid benefits were approved.

 In any case and shortly after receiving the official denial notice, I sought the assistance of an attorney who provides reasonable legal services for indigent families. A few months later, I received a call from my caseworker who asked whether I want to request a formal hearing and if I did, I should fill-out a form that I will soon receive in the mail. I told my caseworker that I wanted a hearing and that I acquired the services of an attorney. He then responded that he has to inform his supervisor about it so that the State’s Attorney General can have ample time to prepare for the hearing. I responded with: “Do what you have to do, sir.” It was at this very moment that I asked Kimo whether your office can help me to which he said, “absolutely!”

On Aug. 9, 2011, I sought the assistance of your office. The very next day and to my complete surprise, I received a call from the “State Capitol.” It was one of your office staffers, Ms. Frances Diaz, who was kind enough to provide me daily and detailed updates on my case. And on Aug. 11 or exactly two days following my decision to seek help from your office, I received a call from my caseworker who informed me to come at my earliest convenience to meet with him. He basically told me that it is urgent that I meet with him and that I did not have to wait in line. As a matter a fact, he told me to just give him a time and he’ll be coming out to the lobby to get me. Well, I met with (expletive) caseworker at 10:30 a.m. on this day and as he vowed over the phone, he came out to get me. At our meeting, the caseworker said: “Mr. Cabrera, I don’t know what you did or who you called but you did it, sir. The rules have apparently changed and you’ve been reinstated to receive Medicaid benefits.” He asked that I excuse him for a short period while he checked with his supervisor whether my pending medical bills will be covered by Medicaid. A few moments later, he returned and said, “Not to worry, we’ll take care of the tab.”

Congressman, believe it or not, this development lifted a huge and heavy load off my shoulders. Imagine having to force myself not to get sick or not receiving unemployment benefits due largely to being unable afford to pay for the services of a cardiologist who needs to examine me and provide me with a medical certification. The service I received from your office is nothing short of a miracle. For that, my family and I will forever be indebted to you. You are truly a representative of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands and I am extremely fortunate to have you as my Congressman. I am sure that the resolution of my case provides a refreshed sense of hope to our people, particularly in Northern Mariana Islands residents currently residing in the mainland and who might have been denied of social services on the basis that they are not recognized as U.S. citizens.  

Again, Un Dangkulu na Si Yu’us Ma’ase, congressman. You are indeed a true beacon of hope for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.
 
[B]Gary Reyes Cabrera[/B] [I]Sparks, Nevada[/I]