Broke & Crazy in Erie, PA- or, Why I’m So Adamant About Having a Public Option

[smithing_chick]

I have a theory on the health care debate. My theory is this- if you are not in favor of a public option in health care, then you have never needed health care. Because anyone who’s had to deal with an insurance company for any kind of serious health issue can tell you, it is a fight to get anything covered. I know- I’ve been through it. I have

Comments

[dubhlainn]

Here, here! Well said!

[silme]

Excellent post. I'm sick and tired of hearing that the NHS is evil. When a British friend wrote a pro-NHS post on her LJ, an American responded that only lazy or cheap Americans didn't have insurance. I was livid.

[serendipity_9]

lazy americans get up at the crack of dawn to go to a minimum-wage job that is followed by another minimum wage job and yet antoher one on weekends -- just to make ends meet. Lazy americans don't go on trips to Hawaii -- they're too busy doing the work while their bosses/owners are in Hawaii... Didn't you know that? The ones on welfare sitting at home with their kids (not sure there are too many of these with the changes in the past 20 years) and dealing blackmarket items (non-taxable!) to supplement their welfare income can't be lazy americans because they have Medicaid. They're the smart americans...

[silme]

That woman made me so angry. She didn't want to subsidise these lazy people, who, according to her, don't work two or three jobs. She felt they should. After all, she once worked two jobs to make ends meet

[cissa]

I have GOOD insurance.

And yet, when I broke my wrist, my primary physician was completely happy to refuse me physical therapy because according to the billing structure, allowing me to have the PT I needed to be able to work cost HER money. So: she did her very best to deny me the PT I needed.

This model is now being touted as something everyone should have, because it is so "efficient". Yes, it is cheaper- more "efficient"- for insurance companies to deny care than to pay for it, and that is how they make their money.

All of which makes MA's legal mandate that we buy health "insurance" products whether or not they make economic sense or we can afford them, really sick.

I want single-payer, damnit.

[acousticdryad]

My dad is on Medicare and it does cover most of his needs, but we're shoveling out over $500/month for his health insurance/Medicare.

If the public option will help him out, then I'm all about it. I'm a bit ignorant on it though, I'll have to educate myself first.

Why are people so against it...?

[acousticdryad]

Oh, and can you link me some resources on the PA stuff? I haven't researched it since moving here last fall and it might prove useful :D

[smithing_chick]

HE's paying $500 a month for MEdicare? That doesn't sound right-- maybe something's changed since I was directing the center.I know there was a charge for Part B but it wasn't that much.

[jrtheotter]

It depends on when you sign up, if you sign up late, and a whole host of other things, there's also the issue of Medicare A only covering 80% of hospitalization, which means seniors can still be stuck with a very large bill. Also, if you need supplemental insurance, etc. etc. I wouldn't quite paint the rosy picture of Medicare that you have, though I wouldn't codemn it either.

[prophet_maid]

I've almost always had decent insurance, and my insurance will very soon be really super awesome (no premium, first $1500 free, next $1000 we pay, rest totally free). I have no serious health problems, my chronic condition is mild, and I've never been denied unreasonably.

And I still VERY MUCH want a public option.

[smithing_chick]

That's because you have empathy- otherwise known as compassion.

*hugs*

[athenamsb]

I work for a Hospital, and even from this side of health care it is almost a necessity. Do you know how many people go without care because of the cost and then end up in our ER or worse...they never end up here at all?

We are so far behind many of the other countries in the world that I almost laugh when we are called a leading force in the world. If by leading they mean that the rich can do whatever they want while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet, then by all means, we are a force. We spend millions of millions of dollars on the poor in other countries but we can't get a health plan that covers hard working and good people on our own soil. It disgusts me.

Good luck!

[serendipity_9]

quick! look over there! pay no attention to the men behind the curtain...