NEWPORT-While the health care debate rages in Washington, D.C., Lisa and Clyde Allen of Newport fear their 8-year-old daughter Sydney may fall through the cracks.

Lisa Allen said Friday that she had received paperwork in December to reapply for TennCare benefits for Sydney.

"I got a phone call last week saying that we will be dropped from TennCare on March 16," she said. "We have appealed the decision but they said it could take up to three months before we know."

During the appeal, Sydney Allen will be able to keep her TennCare coverage.

Speaking during Friday's Cocke County Partnership Legislative breakfast at Mountain Crest Inn, Lisa Allen voiced her frustrations with the health care situation.

"I don't understand how a child who is so severely handicapped could be dropped from TennCare," she said. "She is 100 percent dependent upon others. She doesn't eat by mouth and she has seizures daily.

"My husband and I work. One of us will have to quit so we can take care of her. We can't keep TennCare because we both work. All the assistance out there seems to be for people who don't work. I feel like we're being punished because we work.

"All we're asking for is someone to help. To be put in this situation has us emotionally drained."

State Rep. Eddie Yokley said he has worked to try to help the family.

"This is what I was talking about when I spoke earlier," said Yokely. "We've looked at different ways to help and hit a dead end every time. I pray this country will fix this."

U.S. Rep. Phil Roe said he, too, feels for the family and said the legislation should be made to address such cases.

On Monday, Lisa Allen said she has learned her daughter may have another option to retain TennCare.

"I found out about a Spend Down program where, if you have more than $5,000 in medical bills, you can apply again for TennCare," she said. "It means we would have to pay $5,000 out of pocket and then anything above that would be covered by TennCare."

Sydney Allen has undergone several surgeries over the past few years to help correct her vision and problems with her digestive tract. The results have given Sydney 20/20 vision in her left eye and, thanks to the digestive surgery, she is now able to gain weight. Sydney was also fitted with a special device called a TAOS walker developed by a Florida company, allowing Sydney to stand and walk for the very first time. Sydney was the first child in Tennessee to get one of the devices.

To help with Sydney's expenses, an annual golf tournament for her was held six years ago. Since the first one, the tournament has grown by leaps and bounds each year. The 6th Annual Sydney Allen Benefit Golf Tournament is quickly approaching, set for Monday, April 12, at Smoky Mountain Country Club.

More information on the tournament will be featured in future editions of the Plain Talk.