Woman Divorces In Order To Afford Life-Saving Surgery

INDIANAPOLIS -- A woman in need of a life-saving surgery says getting divorced was the only way she could afford to pay for the procedure.

Geneva Sharpe told Call 6's Rafael Sanchez she investigated state assistance programs when she was diagnosed with throat cancer.

While she was eligible for some help, because her husband, Freddie's, disability checks counted against them, the programs wouldn't cover all of her bills. That's when Sharpe said she asked her husband for a divorce, knowing that as a single woman she would be eligible for far more aid.

When Call 6 brought Sharpe's concerns to the state, the Family and Social Services Administration was already aware of the situation. Officials said that they were concerned that Sharpe had provided them with false information about her marital status, which could have been considered Medicaid fraud.

"We strongly encourage people not to commit fraud and we will work with them to find programs that will work inside of their lifestyle," said FSSA Director Mitch Roob.

The agency enrolled Sharpe in the Aged and Disabled Waiver Program, which would not have taken her husband's income into account.

Sharpe -- whose marriage was dissolved in July -- said she does not recall being offered that program before, but said she is grateful that she got the help one way or another.

"I wanted to live more than anything," she said. "Without that surgery I wouldn't be sitting here today."

Roob told Call 6 that Sharpe is not under any investigation.