Eva Bennett has lived in the United States since 1954. The only problem is, she doesn't have the document to prove. A green card is what keeps Eva from getting the medical attention she desperately needs."I didn’t just cross the border," says Bennett as she fights to hold back the tears.
This 61-year-old grandmother says she just can't seem to catch a break.
"I just kind of fall in between the cracks when it comes to help," says Bennett.
The German immigrant says she's paid her dues and earned her right to receive Medicaid benefits. She says she's not looking for handouts, but a helping hand.
"Medical care is a big thing in anyone’s life because if something happens and you don’t have it. You’ll realize it."
Dr. Monnie Singleton has been that helping hand for hundreds of residents at his Orangeburg County practice. He says that there is no simple solution to the health care issue. Singleton says that rural health care isn't the same as urban care. He says a possible solution to the problems in rural communities is to allow local interventions to come into play.
Bennett says the fact that she can't find her green card is just the tip of the iceberg. If she doesn't find that little piece of paper, it will cost her more than four hundred dollars to replace it. Bennett says coming up with that kind of cash is something she just can't do. Bennett hopes those who hear her story, will not judge her plea for help.
"Walk in someone else's shoes before you say anything."
Bennett hopes the Obama administration will find a way to help those who really need it.
"He’s [Obama] got a lot to do and I don’t know what it’s going to take to turn it around."
Bennett says her one goal in life is to watch her granddaughter graduate from college.
"Health care to me is important because it’s what keeps me going in order to get her situated and get her into a life where she don’t have to ask for any help."
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