The ayes have it
I know that a lot of people don’t understand what it’s like to be buried in medical debt. And that’s great.
I know a lot of people don’t understand what it’s like to not know if you’ll have health insurance in 2 years because of pre-existing conditions. And that’s great.
I know that some people will never need a second opinion for a health condition and therefore, the fact that my insurance won’t cover it, isn’t a big deal to them. And that’s great.
But I’m not one of those people, and that’s not great. It fucking sucks.
I am thousands and thousands of dollars in debt because of my health.
In 2 years, I won’t be a student and unless my employer provides it, I won’t be insured.
I have to make sure that I don’t utter the words “second opinion” at my upcoming doctor’s appointment or it’ll all be out of my incomeless pocket.
It’s wrong on so many levels.
I know that some people are opposed to government involvement in healthcare and that there are a lot of flaws with the health care plan that is going to pass.
But doing nothing is not an option.
Waiting until a perfect bill comes along is not an option.
Allowing parents and children to go uninsured and bankrupt because of health conditions out of their control is not an option.
Yes, this healthcare reform is imperfect. Yes, it’s MORE GOVERNMENT (the horror!). Yes, it’s just the beginning.
But it’s the beginning of something right.
It’s the beginning of something we need.
Even if you don’t realize it yet.
10 Responses to “The ayes have it”
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Welcome! I'm Katie, a 27 year old, full-time graduate student who just happened to have brain surgery in November of 2007 to give my ginormous brain a little more space. This blog chronicles my daily life, from relentless headaches to falling over in public to being a doctor's wife. Sit down, get comfortable and stay for a while.
I so agree with you 100% Katie. We SO need this! (also, good luck at your appointment next week – there have GOT to be some answers).
I got sick last summer and considered going to the ER instead of urgent because although the ER was more expensive my incomelessness would have given me a write off. Urgent care cost $200 and then tried to prescribe me a $90 antibiotic.
Two years ago, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. He’s supposed to have a PET scan every year. Because of his preexisting condition is in uninsurable. And hasn’t built up his income to pre-2008 levels yet. If he relapses and it’s not caught due to health insurance our family will fall apart.
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it has taken far to long to get here but YAY…it’s a start.
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I cannot stand the fact that you (and so many people i know) are buried in debt bc of health issues, and that you have to watch every step you make so as not to be charged even more.
you should be focused on your health and receiving the proper health care, not how much it costs.
huggsssss
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So, here I am again, knowing we differ on health care reform. I don’t like a lot of what is in this plan. I don’t like it at all. And the potential “cost” to me is far more than mere money.
That said, I DO believe we need reform. I happen to have excellent medical benefits and still have ridiculous medical debt because apparently have five primary cancers in six years is expensive.
I DO have the risk of being dropped because I’m too expensive or being denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions (BTW, my brother, an insurance guru, says that you cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions when you change policies if you do not let coverage lapse for more than 63 days).
So, I can and do relate.
I just hope the potential “kinks” in the system can be worked out.
And, it will make me very happy to know that you can and will get the medical care you deserve, along with many thousands of others who need it.
No family should lose everything they have trying to save a life.
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true dat
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It’s been a while since I’ve commented, but as I’m sure you know…I’ve been reading.
I never thought that I’d have to worry about things like this-now the words pre-existing condition chill me to the bone.
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We understand. Completely.
When our son graduates next year he won’t have insurance. And he wants to go to law school.
I’ve called and called to get quotes to buy insurance for him…no deal.
(Thus I’m questioning the statement that you can’t be turned down if you don’t let your present policy lapse.)
It’s so close to becoming a joke in this house…how many times can insurance agents tell you that your son isn’t qualified to buy insurance?
The people that need it the most are the people that are least likely to have it.
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Sue G Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:06 am
Beverly, I’m going to check with my brother and get some clarification for you and hopefully some suggestions…if that’s okay? Sue g
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Sue G Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 8:46 am
Beverly, this is what my brother wrote this morning in answer to my inquiry about health insurance for your son:
“Your state may have different rules, but I doubt it.
1. If he has group insurance (not student accident) he needs to get a Certificate of Prior Coverage from the schools carrier.
2. Present that COPC to the proposed carrier and as long as there has not been a break of 63+ days, they have to provide coverage under HIPAA.
I suspect that they were not covered under a HIPAA qualified health plan in college, or that they were offered coverage from the new carrier, but it was simply too expensive.”
I hope this helps. I am going to put it in a comment section of your own blog since I couldn’t find an email address. Sue G
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I agree with you. A lot of people think that it’s socialist or creepy for the government to get involved in our healthcare. I say, “Why not?” We the people do have the power to step in and say, “No, this isn’t right,” if anything comes up that we don’t like. So what is wrong with giving it a shot?
I am lucky enough to be insured under my mom until I’m 26. But my boyfriend? Is not. He has no insurance, and his health problems are increasingly getting worse. I might complain a lot about my health problems, but at least I can see a doctor or visit the ER without fearing the financial consequences. Yes, copays are sucky sometimes, but they’re better than thousands of dollars.
We can only hope that by the government getting involved, there won’t be any abuse. But I truly think that it will help, if at least a little.
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