How can we legit survive? California Living

Before marriage my husband qualified for Medi-Cal – he is a self employed worker in the state of CA. When we got married I added him to my insurance as he no longer qualified for Medi-Cal under our annual income put together. We then had a child and who was also then added to my employee health insurance. I am paid $25.00 / hour and paid weekly with an average of 36+ hrs per week. (due to childcare, appts etc)

My husband and I did the math yesterday and we pay approx. $970.00 / month for the 3 of us to have medical and dental, and some life insurance. We do not have vision coverage.
Not to mention our insurance has a $35.00 co-pay every visit and deductibles on top of that.

My husband is working on getting more clients for his self employed job and has started going back to school this summer in hopes to have more career opportunities for our future and we have both even attempted to apply elsewhere to receive some type of better insurance for our family –as mine clearly sucks and we cannot survive off such little pay .
(Just to add fuel to the fire — My husband is in need of an eye procedure and my insurance wont even approve the procedure AUTH – they are stating he needs to complete conservative measures prior to approving the much needed procedure after his medical diagnosis – when there are NO conservative measures to stop the progression and he will end up needing one or multiple cornea transplants in the future if this procedure is not done)
To think we don't and haven't qualified for further assistance as my 'gross pay' along with his pay are seen and we are denied for 'making too much'.

We have been denied WIC, breastfeeding services provided per WIC and also even for a CHIP home because 'we make too much"
Covered CA wont help as my employer offers 'affordable health care' for the family. I have no idea who in their right mind sees this as affordable.

I know I am not alone but I needed a safe space to complain and bitch about this, So I appreciate you if you have made it this far into my rant.

With all the rising prices in goods etc. I am unsure how much longer we can do this.

After some punching numbers with my husband —

I am hardcore thinking of requesting a step down in my job and working P/T hours (& NOT qualifying for medical benefits through my employer) and seeing where that lands us.

I would be making around the same amount weekly – which we are surviving on- but barely– but without the high cost of medical bills on my shoulders.

Maybe we might even meet some type of assistance as my gross pay would actually match closer to my net pay (as I wouldn't have so many deductions)

We also have a young non school aged child that is being cared for within our home from family members — however that is also a bill we would like to cut back on if I could be home more often.

How would this work in the healthcare side of things?

Would we as a family qualify for assistance if I make those moves? Or would they look at me and laugh and say go get a full time job?

Please be kind if you have it in you to be.

I am up to my neck in stress and do not need any rude comments. I am just trying to survive out here.

submitted by /u/atarimom
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