FIC: Uninsured

[dr_dredd]

Title: Uninsured
Author: dr_dredd
Genre: angst, hurt/comfort
Season: Three, right after "Misbegotten"
Spoilers: None really; maybe very very slight one for Misbegotten
Word count: ~3200
Rating: PG
Feedback: Yes, please. I'd like to know if this worked for you or not.

Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis, characters, concept, etc, aren’t mine. Please don't sue

Comments

[heartnut]

Oooh, this one is a keeper. THANK you for writing it. I'm an American that can't afford health insurance right now (my parents don't carry any, either), so this hits very close. I want to scream at the inhumanity every day... and this fic is true sci-fi that examines the human condition. Good job. *hug*

[dr_dredd]

So many people I know are in the same situation. And those who do have work-related insurance are terrified of losing their jobs and their coverage. It boggles my mind that we can't/won't guarantee health care for everyone like so many other countries.

Thanks for reviewing!

[auntiemeesh]

As another American who can't afford health care it's good to see the issue explored and protested. I can see how Pegasus societies could take this route - a lot of nomadic societies had similar ways of dealing, especially with the elderly, but the way the Trinarians faced their ill with distaste and contempt rather than compassion makes it much worse for Carson, I'm sure, who's such a very compassionate man.

[dr_dredd]

Exactly. Obviously, it's a not-too-thinly-veiled jab at our own society.

Thanks for reviewing!

[audreyscastle]

That was just...there are no words. (In a very good way.) As a nurse in the American system, I'm similarly frustrated by insurance, the lack of ability to pay meaning no access to decent care...and....it was just lovely to see it played out with Carson, the dear heart that he is, with all the problems of Pegasus. Thank you for this!

[dr_dredd]

The story I heard last weekend about a 13 year-old dying from kidney cancer because they screwed up his Medicaid application was the last straw. There's just no excuse for this in a civilized country.

Thanks for reviewing!

[dr_dredd]

Thank you. Personally, I'm just as disgusted with the state of our healthcare system as Carson. People are dying, and we can't seem to do anything to change the way things run.

[vecturist]

This was both good and sad. I'm in agreement that the American health system needs to be fixed - I do have insurance via my university, but it's very basic with no dental, vision, or drug coverage. It is amazing what we can do medically here in the US, but there are so many other area that need to be improved including access and end-of-life care.

[dr_dredd]

I actually have a very good plan. But I'm always afraid of losing coverage because of job changes. With the federal funding situation the way it is, there's a lot of job instability in academia.

Thanks for reviewing.

[vecturist]

My university just renewed their insurance contract and I sat on one of the review committees. It was very educational, frustrating, and scary. There are some days academia is not all its cracked up to be. Our university decided to 'join' with the other two universities in the state to expand their pools and hopefully get lower rates.