Close to home
Brent Sharp is Holston's information technology manager. He is also the brother of Jason Sharp, one of many who may lose some of their TennCare healthcare coverage.
People in the conference offices know Jason through Brent, and they have been praying for the Sharp family for many months. Now, concern is elevated as the TennCare crisis affects Jason.
"We want to get the word out that the TennCare cuts are affecting thousands of people like Jason, who are not abusing the system and who may even be worse off than Jason," says Sharp, a member at Concord United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge District. "It seems like the attitude of the state is, 'Get better or die.' In this case, Jason could die.
The worry over the upcoming cuts works a hardship on Brent and Jason's mother, too.
"One person cannot care for Jason 24/7," says Fran England, referring to the possibility that she will assume total care of her son if the cuts are enacted in January.
"I told Jason that I would not let him live longer than the Lord intended, but I don't want him to suffocate, either," she said. "If his oxygen drops, it would be an emotional thing - it would take a lot of responsibility - to decide whether he should be on a ventilator or not. It's hard to be a caretaker and a Momma, too."
What is the church's role in ministering to the people who may be hurt by the TennCare cuts? England says it's one of prayer, kind offers, and advocacy.
"We have already felt the prayers of many. We are a living testimony of how prayers work," she says. "But we also are grateful for people who offer to run errands, to fix a meal, who let us know we've got someone to talk to. Remember that there are thousands of people who are going to be cut off [from TennCare] who have limited family or no family at all. Don't forget the people who are in this situation."
Earlier this month, Bishop James Swanson, Holston's resident bishop, met with Bishop Dick Wills, bishop of the Tennessee Conference, and together they will attempt to arrange a meeting with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen.
Holston's Outreach/Advocacy Team is also making advocacy plans with other Tennessee United Methodist conferences.
In the meantime, England says she is doing her part.
"I feel like I not only need to be an advocate for Jason, but for all the other patients who are in similar situations."
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