Summary Of Mama Might Be Better Off Dead

The book “Mama might be better off dead” was an eye opening story that brought awareness to readers on the downfalls and limitations of the health care system in America. Mama might be better off dead, talks about a poverty stricken African American family who lives in one of the poorest neighborhoods on the Westside of Chicago. The Banes family faces life threatening illnesses and issues that are causing them to question their position in the health care system. Jackie Banes a wife, mother, granddaughter, and the glue that kept her family together, shows in this book her level of strength, vulnerability, concern, hurt, love, and care throughout the entire story. The book also shun a light on the role reversal of the family dynamics in America.

Health insurance did not work in the favor of Cora Jackson and often times Cora had to con her way into getting what rightfully should had been given to her when considering the importance of necessities of her health in order to stay alive. Mrs. Jackson received $619 a month in Social Security but that amount was too high of an income for her to collect Medicaid upfront to get her medical supplies and medication she needed that was not covered by Medicare. Mrs. Jackson had to be a part of a program called the "spent down program" where she had to spend a certain amount of money during the months her medical expenses were high forcing her monthly income to drop to the "needy level" that was required in America for federal and state assistance in care. Often times Mrs. Jackson had issues with the Public Aid office entering her eligibility of a green card granted her the ability to pay for her medicine. Mrs. Jackson often times had to rely on the resources, and knowledge of her caretakers and social workers who knew the system and how it worked to advocate on her behalf to receive her benefits on time. Robert, as well as Mrs. Jackson worked low income paying, short term jobs throughout their lives where they did not receive health insurance that could have safeguarded them with these treatments and medications that was needed for them. Living in poverty was the biggest issue in why Robert Banes, his family, Mrs. Jackson, and others who live in poverty stricken neighborhoods are at risk of health problems. Lack of adequate services provided to those in poverty and are underprivileged, those who suffer from lack of education because they do not have the financial stability or the resources to be able to have good health insurance, determinants of basic needs met like food, water, shelter, physical, mental, emotional needs met that