Monday, 28 Feb 2005:

Today we met again with Barbi and Leilani, two of the kind ladies who are attempting to help us arrange nursing care for Gabriella.

Initially, we thought the shortage of nurses here in Hawaii would be the primary obstacle to home nursing care. However, that has not been the case, primarily because of your efforts to help us find nurses by getting the word out.

Instead, the problem is one of funding. TriCare, the military’s insurance company, denied the doctor’s request for home nursing care. They denied the request even though everyone, including Tri Care, agrees that Ella’s condition meets the “need threshold” for home nursing care.

It appears the basis for their denial is the fact that Tri-care knows other agencies, such as Medicaid, will eventually provide some funding for home nursing care.

Until then, Mum and Dad are on watch 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, except for the four hours of “respite nursing care” we receive each week. All for now.

Thank you for your prayers.