By Christina Woo
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Local charity groups have extended their services to help Hsu Yeong-Huei's family, which was left devastated by a tragic van accident last month.
But, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has turned down applications for medical assistance for at least two members of Hsu's family.
On the morning of Aug. 12, Hsu, 36, a doctoral student at the University of Arizona, was involved in a car accident along with five other members of his family. The accident, which took place near Casa Grande, resulted in the instant death of Hsu's mother-in-law, Tsai Lin Mei-Hua, 56, and critical injuries to the rest of his passengers.
"The van rolled over the median," Hsu said. "I don't know how many times. I only remember somebody screaming. Later, I found out it was my wife."
Hsu's wife, Tsai Chia-Yen, 31, was two months pregnant at the time of the accident, but both she and the baby escaped without any major injuries. His daughter, Hsu "Joy" Jo-Hsuan, now 4, suffered multiple fractures on her skull and some internal bleeding of the ear, but doctors are optimistic that she will have a full recovery within six months. Hsu's sister-in-law, Tsai Hsin-Ju, 24, broke her right leg, her left ankle and her spine.
Hsu said his father-in-law, Tsai Jung-Chih, 56, is paralyzed from the neck down, even though he had his seat belt on.
The injuries sustained in the accident were received by his family alone. Hsu's left arm was crushed beneath the car.
"There are no broken bones and the nerves are still intact," he said.
Doctors gave Hsu the option of having surgery or letting his arm heal by itself. Hsu chose to let the arm heal on its own, and is currently undergoing hydrotherapy. Hsu says he still cannot use his arm, but that he is "doing fine."
Recovery is not the only obstacle the family must face. Because Hsu's family was visiting from Taiwan, they are not insured. After three days in the hospital, Hsu said, doctors discovered that his wife and daughter did not have insurance, and were asked to leave. Hsu said he pleaded with the hospital to let his daughter stay longer. They agreed to one additional day. His sister-in-law checked herself out of the hospital Aug. 8, the day she was given a final notice.
Hsu worries about how he is going to pay the hospital bills, which he estimates to be about $500,000 and rising.
"I am not rich," he said. "I am a poor student."
Tzu-Chi, a group with headquarters in Taiwan, appointed Lien Ssu-ling, a Chandler resident, to act as a local liaison. Lien and his family are letting Hsu's wife, daughter, and sister-in-law stay with them while they recuperate. Tzu-Chi has also helped the family by offering rides to Hsu's family so that they are able to see his father-in-law in the hospital every day.
Another group from Los Angeles, the Fo-Kuang Association, has helped the family with some donations, which Hsu gave to family members in Taiwan to cover part of the costs of his mother-in-law's funeral.
When Hsu applied for financial aid from Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), a government program that provides assistance in these types of cases, his father-in-law and sister-in-law's cases were turned down. Hsu is still waiting for the decision on his wife and daughter.
The Containment System was unavailable for comment for this article.
"If I can get approval from AHCCCS, then most of my worries will go away," Hsu said.
He hopes his father-in-law can be transported back to Taiwan, where his insurance will cover any further treatment.
Although Hsu said that he has been touched by all the help and support he has received thus far, he said he hopes that it can continue. Contributions can be made out to the Chinese Student Association (write "for Hsu family" on the front of the checks), P.O. Box 3705, Tucson, Arizona 85722.