Linda Clarke took that frustration, along with two placards, to the steps of Confederation Building in St. John’s this morning in a silent protest.
Clarke needs $20,000 for dental surgery — at least eight jaw implants her surgeon told her, none of which is covered by the provincial health plan or MCP, or private insurance. She even applied for special authorization coverage under MCP — at the suggestion of her surgeon — and was again denied.
“I would like Dr. Haggie (Health and Community Services Minister John Haggie) personally, to come out and talk to me,” Clarke said outside Confederation Building this morning. “I know that’s not going to happen, but I’d like somebody to come and talk to me.”
“I’m frustrated trying to get help. To see all the money government is wasting when I’m just looking for money for surgery for my face so I can eat again and put back the 20 pounds I’ve lost.”
Security could be seen looking out the front glass doors of Confederation Building and talking on a phone, but I doubt the 67-year-old Clarke, sipping on her large Tim Hortons coffee, is going to cause any kind of trouble.
She says she just wants someone in authority to look her in the eye, see her sagged face that looks like someone who has had a stroke, and tell her why her condition is not covered.
She can’t afford the $20,000 bill herself and a Go-Fund Campaign that only garnered $215 before the Telegram ran an article earlier this week, has now increased to more than $1,300 — still far off the amount needed.
She has to see her surgeon again on April 24.