HOFFMAN ESTATE, IL – FEBRUARY 21: Former Olympic women's gymnastics gold medalist Mary watches the 2009 Tyson American Cup held at the Sears Center on February 21, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Lou Retton. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
When Mary Lou Retton's family announced in October that she was in critical condition with a rare form of pneumonia, the 1984 Olympic champion, who would have earned millions of dollars from longtime sponsorship deals, lost health insurance. Many fans were disappointed to learn that he was not a member of the group.
meanwhile “Today” show interview On Monday, Retton, 55, revealed that she could not afford insurance before being hospitalized. A retired gold medal gymnast, she explained that it was too expensive for her to get insurance as a newly single woman with a history of surgery.
“When COVID-19 hit, after my divorce and all my chronic illnesses, I had over 30 orthopedic-related surgeries and couldn’t afford them…The bottom line is that I There was no money,''' Retton told Today host Hoda Kotb.
“But who would have thought this would happen to me?” Retton also explained that she is now “all in” with insurance.
Sheila Schlepfer, the eldest of Retton's four daughters, was not covered by insurance when she was admitted to an unnamed hospital in Houston, so her family had to start a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for her treatment. He said he had no choice but to do so. Over the next few weeks, the Spot Fund Her campaign raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Retton, his 1984 Olympic star medalist. As of Monday, the campaign had raised a total of $459,000.
Retton's hospitalization costs were likely enormous. She revealed Monday that she spent a month in the hospital, most of it in intensive care. At one point, her situation became so dire that her doctors considered putting her on life support and her four daughters said goodbye to her, she said. Told.
The idea that Retton's family would need to ask strangers to pay for what is expected to be a hefty hospital bill was sparked by questions and comments among people on social media in October. caused a reaction. At the top of the list is why Retton didn't have health insurance. And what kind of country is America if even a legendary athlete like Retton, once dubbed “America's Sweetheart,” can't afford an emergency hospital stay?
After Retton's daughters declined to comment on not having health insurance “out of respect for their mother and her privacy,” people online wondered whether the retired athlete chose not to have health insurance or not. I was left to speculate as to whether I had somehow lost my insurance or not had it. Can't get coverage.
They also cited a May 2022 report that she was selling her 9,000-square-foot “luxury” Houston home with six bedrooms, six bathrooms and a pool, adding that she recently announced that she was selling her Houston mansion. He also mentioned that he lives in .
In an interview Monday, Retton said he has been spending time with his daughter, Sheila Schlepfer, since being released from the hospital. She and Ms. Schlepfer agreed to an interview along with her mother.
When Kotb pointed out that many people thought Retton could afford health insurance, the gymnast said that “life goes on and things happen” in people's lives. She responded that it could suddenly become difficult for people like her who can't afford insurance. One of the things that happened, as she revealed in a 2018 interview, is that she broke up with her husband of 27 years.
In the interview, it was also pointed out that almost 40 years have passed since he won an Olympic gold medal. Bottom line: Mr. Retton said he couldn't afford it.
According to a 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation study, approximately 10.2% of Americans under 65 do not have health insurance. Retton may become eligible for Medicare (federal health insurance) when he turns 65. The number of uninsured people in the U.S. actually decreased by about 1.5 million people from 2019 to 2021, according to the study, largely due to policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. . The policy is designed to help low-income people obtain and maintain coverage during the pandemic, including increased market subsidies and continued enrollment in Medicaid, which provides coverage to low-income people. It includes requirements such as the requirement that the company be maintained.
Most of the uninsured in the United States are from low-income households where at least one family member works, the study said. In general, people of color are at a higher risk of being uninsured. Approximately 64% of adults surveyed said they were uninsured because premiums were too high, despite policy efforts to make premiums more affordable.
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