My wife is doing much better, though she is still in the hospital. If we are lucky she’ll be coming home soon. I’m writing because I’ve had occasion to consider how truly fortunate we are.
We have health insurance. And disability insurance should my wife’s recovery extend past her accumulated sick leave. We still pay thousands of dollars each year to cover our prescription medicines and medical service co-pays, but if we had to bear the full financial burden of those costs, we would be looking at triple or quadruple what comes out of our pockets today.
Yet, millions of Americans have no health insurance. It’s not because they aren’t hard working, but because they are. They aren’t poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, or old enough for Medicare. Take a look at this diary over at Daily Kos for an idea of the type of nightmare even a minor health issue can lead to for people who lack health care coverage. Truly, for these millions of uninsured people our so-called best health care system in the world is a tragedy of pain, suffering and often death.
For our wealthiest citizens, health care is not even a concern, but for anyone who lives from paycheck to paycheck, it is a looming financial burden, one which at anytime might turn into a financial and medical catastrophe should that paycheck ever be lost. I know it is my greatest fear.
The Republicans will run on the Terror platform this Fall. They think they can frighten us sufficiently with terrorist bogeymen to make us forget what a horrid job they have done providing for the general welfare of our nation’s citizens. Democrats need to run on the Freedom from Fear platform. One of it’s major planks should be affordable national health care for everyone.
No one in America should have to fear a lack of medical care. No one.
That’s good news Steven.
I wonder what 4 days in the hospital costs someone that is not insured? I’m guessing it is a fortune.
Too much. I’m sure.
I’ll let you know what my wife’s costs are once we get the info from our PPO. Of course, for uninsured folks the costs are higher since health insurers negotiate discounts.
That’s the thing that REALLY ticks me off…the insurers get a discount on services, while the uninsured have to pay the full price for whatever happens to them.
And the price difference is usually HUGE.
I love good news Steven :o) Glad to hear that your wife will be coming home soon.
My lack of insurance means that all it would take is one significant medical emergency and my family would be financially sunk. The boat I’m in is getting fuller and fuller of those being forced to abandon this sinking ship.
You’re the person we need to protect. I hope you can hold out until we get control of our country back.
We’ve managed to keep the kids covered by the state through creativity, so they’re alright for now. But if I had to stop working for any significant amount of time…well, like a lot of other hard working, honest Americans, we could really be facing homelessness. It’s a cold fact that many who once made up the middle class find themselves so close to the edge no matter how hard they work and play by the rules. The rules are changing.
Dude, where’s my country?
I’m glad to hear that your wife is okay, Steven.
Thanks. I remain very grateful for the support of this community.
Depends what you’re in there for, of course.
My wife spent two sessions in the hospital in the past 2 years: one for about 2 1/2 weeks, and one for a little over a week, both times mostly in the ICU.
The total costs? First time, over $164,000. Second time, $55,000.
And indeed, praise be, we have health insurance.
I missed that your wife was in the hospital. Glad to hear all is going well and that she’s coming home soon.
Sending lots of good thoughts her way!
Hi Wilfred,
this is off topic, but i was wondering if you might consider coming out east for the Riverhead Blues Festival this weekend, since you’re a New Yorker? Even just to meet up at the festival for a few hours. I always look forward to meeting Frogs, LSF’rs, MLW’rs…..
If you haven’t seen it, here’s my diary about it.
Long Island Blues Meetup
i did see the diary but my boyfriend and i accepted an invite last month to spend next weekend at the Jersey shore.
I love Riverhead and the North Fork of L.I. and the ‘blues’ ain’t so bad either. Color me bummed out!
good to hear from you and to hear that things are getting better.
So glad things are going smoothly for you and yours Steven.
I think most Americans don’t have coverage. I know we didn’t for years. Most in my kids’ schools didn’t either so that impacted sports, field trips and registration…
But when Johnny and Janey get older and graduate they can join the military and then have some minimal coverage. “whoot” (snark)
Steven, have been wondering(and worrying) how your wife is doing and the family so am glad to know that everything is going well. Thankful also that you do have insurance.
When I get a health insurance (EOB) statement from my large health insurance company for a health visit, it usually shows the price charged for the visit and then the amount the health insurance company will allow. This acceptable amount is usually 1/2 to 1/3 the full amount charged by the provider! How is that possible, and what kind of a system even allows this crap?? Inevitably, the provider accepts the health insurance companies amount and writes off the 1/2 to 2/3 of the bill above that amount. If I was uninsured, if I could just get charged the amount the health insurance companies ultimately pay, I would be much, much better off.
Just how did this system get so dishonest and stacked against those least able to afford care? It is a sinful system and needs uniform, all in the pool, all charged the same reform!!!
that “Freedom from Fear” platform…but it makes too much sense, so the Democrats will never pick up on it…
When the spouse ran into job problems (looooong story, folks), the first thing he did was to sign up for the COBRA coverage; we’re paying out of our pocket for insurance, but at least we’re covered for 18 months (and hopefully he’ll be back to work long before then — his union is grieving the situation). I can’t imagine being without health insurance in this day and age…and the fact that so many working people are in that situation is horrendous — I hope that when all these so-called “Christian” lawmakers who have voted against universal health coverage reach the Judgement Seat of God, they are judged by every single soul who died prematurely because of no health coverage.
When my sister took early retirement from one job, she had to go find another one that would provide health insurance for her and her spouse…still not sure if she found anything…
A situation I know about currently involves a young person who has worked since High School. They are now in their mid 20’s I would guess. Started developing symptoms of an intestinal nature, but didn’t seek med help for several months because of no insurance. Finally they did. This led to major surgery, with major cancer treatment to follow. Prognosis is iffy. Makes me want to scream! What is fair or just about this situation?? Why is this person unworthy of coverage?? They have worked hard their entire life!
Now they are in a no win situation. Perhaps the treatment/surgery comes too late, perhaps not. If not and they do survive, they will be saddled with a debt they will be paying for years and years to come. Freedom from fear sounds like a great platform item to me also.
Wonderful news about your wife, Steven. You are so right. Without health insurance families face bankruptcy due to unbelievable health care costs.
Yes, Dems must include a comprehensive plan. Anna Eschoo, CA told us we have a health care plan, it is available to all federal employees. Time to include all Americans.