Bawwww, we'll have to pay for poor people like this!

[xerox78]

In the Great Recession, Even Death Is Too Expensive for the Poor

Editor's Note: This story was written for New America Media as the first in a series of columns by Dr. Sanjay Basu called A Doctor's Word, exploring the impact of the recession on health care for poor people. It appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle's Insight and on SFGate.com.

Comments

[wingstar102]

I've been sitting here for the last ten minutes trying to think of a response to this article that wouldn't have me thrown in jail for death threats, trying to incite a riot or sedition. I can't. Just can't.

[tilmon]

This is sad, but not surprising. I've known of people who had to be ambulanced to their disability hearing and were still denied. For anyone under 50, and especially for young adults, the process is stacked against them because of social assumptions that youth equals health, which is why disability benefits are dependent on having had a work history. Heaven forbid you should have a serious injury or a disease that manifests at age 18. You won't have had a chance to work, and people will tell you constantly that "you are too young to be disabled."

No one is too young to be disabled. Not youth, good looks, regular prayer, eating only vegetables or anything else, prevents getting slammed with a disability.

[carmy_w]

So much for the vaunted safety net. And the right wing wants to do away with even that little bit.

Bastards.

[poetic_pixie_13]

I honestly don't know how to respond to this. It's just so fucked up and disgusting. Poor people's lives matter just as much as anyone else's, god fucking dammit.

[fightingwords]

I wanna see another fucking libertarian roll up in here talking about "government handouts" for the undeserving.