Secrest Family Rises above with FAMIS

Gregory Secrest worked for ten years at American of Martinsville, a Virginia-based furniture manufacturer, earning $ 14.67 per hour. On August 29, he got a lay-off notice, ending his employment with the company - and ending the health insurance he had for his family.  While his step-daughter had coverage, he was suddenly without health insurance for his two sons, Samuel (age 14) and Christopher (age 9), as well as for himself and his wife.  Mr. Secrest says he has already used his "slush fund" to save his home and, since his wife is not working due to a back injury, he's trying to get by on just his unemployment. After learning that the cost of COBRA would be $1,500 per month, Mr. Secrest started searching the Internet but was unable to come up with an affordable alternative.

At a meeting for unemployed workers at the Martinsville courthouse, Mr. Secrest learned about FAMIS, Virginia's health coverage program for children, and applied with the help of the Martinsville Henry County Coalition for Health and Wellness. He says the application itself took about 15 minutes to complete and he fully expects that his sons will be enrolled in short order.  While the boys are in good health right now, Mr. Secrest is well aware that without health insurance, an injury or illness could place a big strain on the family's finances: Christopher is prone to sinus infections that require medication and, just last month, Samuel had to be taken to the Emergency Room after hurting his leg. 

Mr. Secrest is trying to prepare for better times.  He's been taking classes at the local Community College and is interested in becoming a respiratory therapist which requires two years to get a certificate.  In the meantime, he acknowledges the value of FAMIS: "The kids have to be covered," he said. "To be successful they have to have an education and if they're sick they can't go to school.  This is my time to help them succeed."