Some utility companies don’t have to extend deadlines for people on life-sustaining medical devices

GRIFFIN, Ga. (Aging Untold) — Tina Marsden’s life depends on batteries that power her heart pump 12 hours at a time. When the power goes out, she has no way to recharge them.

After tornadoes hit Georgia, Marsden was without power for six days. She said a Griffin firefighter and his wife brought her their generator.

“They were like, ‘You know, you shouldn’t have to be going through this. And we’re going to bring you our generator,’ and that saved my life,” Marsden said.

But storms are not her only threat. Marsden said she sometimes must choose between paying her electric bill and buying prescription medications.

“I can come home with a new prescription. And now all of a sudden, I can’t afford this prescription so I have to decide between paying a light bill, paying part of a light bill to be able to get maybe a 15-day supply and not a 30-day supply for a prescription,” she said.

Municipal utility combines services

The city of Griffin, Georgia combines electric, trash and water charges into a single bill. If customers don’t pay for garbage collection, the city cuts off their power.

There is no law in Georgia covering municipal electrical services or electrical cooperatives.

“Their city commissions make their policies,” Marsden said.

Marsden fought to get Griffin to add a grace period for medically dependent customers.

While she was being transported to the hospital, she received a collection call. The city’s collection manager told her the account had until 6 p.m. that day to be paid or it would go on the cutoff list.

“I’m in the back of an ambulance. I’m a heart patient, so I’m telling you right now. ... I’m worried I have a blood clot in my heart. I’m worried about dying,” Marsden said during the call.

The mayor of Griffin initially said he couldn’t comment because of pending litigation, then deferred to the Griffin city attorney, who said no comment.

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