History happens
Mar. 22nd, 2010 10:07 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lizzybennetI for one am very happy the Health Care Bill passed. This past month has been so eye-opening for me with Chris' health problems. We received our first ER bill in the mail and it was over $10,000**. That's just for one visit. They did even more tests on the second visit so who knows what that bill will amount to. As someone who has spent years working in the healthcare field (in another phase of my life) I've seen how insurance companies can control a person's quality of life. I've seen it my own sister's life. Medications that cost hundreds a month, and will mean she can function normally, are not covered by her insurance company.
Yet, like most everyone else, I'm not sure exactly what this will entail. Will the above mentioned problems be addressed? I have no idea! But I like the idea that they are trying, that someone is trying to fix this messed up system and stand up to the insurance industry. It may need some work, it may not be perfect, but I believe it is a step in the right direction.
I had planned on emailing my local representative to tell him that I supported this step (and thank him if he had voted yes). However, he beat me to it, and has already emailed me this:
“After over a year of trying to ram through a trillion dollar government takeover of our health care system, Nancy Pelosi and the majority party waited until the middle of the night to take one of the most important votes in history. This bill was written behind closed doors using backroom deals to buy enough votes to pass, and puts the future of our great country at great risk. It does nothing to protect the sanctity of human life, will not lower health care costs for the American family, cuts Medicare by $500 billion, and raises taxes on middle-class Americans. I strongly denounce the passage of this bill and will work for its swift repeal.”
**We have been approved for Medicaid, sort of. The kids will have full coverage. Due to Chris unemployment $$ he and I together earn too much to qualify. However, if we spend over a $1800 on medical expenses in one month, that month will be paid for in full by the state. That means we should be able to get reimbursed for almost all the money we've paid in medical expenses this month, and will not owe the hospital any money.
Yet, like most everyone else, I'm not sure exactly what this will entail. Will the above mentioned problems be addressed? I have no idea! But I like the idea that they are trying, that someone is trying to fix this messed up system and stand up to the insurance industry. It may need some work, it may not be perfect, but I believe it is a step in the right direction.
I had planned on emailing my local representative to tell him that I supported this step (and thank him if he had voted yes). However, he beat me to it, and has already emailed me this:
“After over a year of trying to ram through a trillion dollar government takeover of our health care system, Nancy Pelosi and the majority party waited until the middle of the night to take one of the most important votes in history. This bill was written behind closed doors using backroom deals to buy enough votes to pass, and puts the future of our great country at great risk. It does nothing to protect the sanctity of human life, will not lower health care costs for the American family, cuts Medicare by $500 billion, and raises taxes on middle-class Americans. I strongly denounce the passage of this bill and will work for its swift repeal.”
**We have been approved for Medicaid, sort of. The kids will have full coverage. Due to Chris unemployment $$ he and I together earn too much to qualify. However, if we spend over a $1800 on medical expenses in one month, that month will be paid for in full by the state. That means we should be able to get reimbursed for almost all the money we've paid in medical expenses this month, and will not owe the hospital any money.
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 04:39 pm (UTC)And I hear you about the medications. I'm nowhere near in the hole with my meds as your sister, but it still freaks me out that my insurance told me that the medication I was taking and was working for me was going to cost me more money (to be healthy). They gave me a list of medications that were similar to what I was taking and suggested I take one of those. However most of the medications on the list were things I had already taken and proved to not work for me. I'm kind of on the last ditch effort, the one med that I haven't tried that was on their list. It's obvious that the insurance companies don't understand what it is that they are insuring. They don't understand the complexities of true health and all that is involved.
On the other hand, I'm worried about the government health care too. We're going to be taxed on it for four years before it will take place. Mike and I are already taxed a lot just because of our jobs and because we have no children. I've been on government health care. The military health care system, TriCare, is not very good. There are quite a few limitations on it as to what kind of health care you can get. We won't be getting the health care that the congressmen and women get.
I'm a little scared. I need to know that I can keep my doctors and my psychiatrist and my medications that keep me stable and functioning and a contributing member to society. Between my insurance company and the government, I'm just a wee bit terrified of what my future is going to be like, health wise.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:07 pm (UTC)