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January 15, 2008 at 15:30:39
Health insurance brings peace of mind: Those without live in terror by Mary MacElveen Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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Each and every one of us through differing circumstances can find ourselves without medical insurance. This is no small matter especially if you are one of the over 47 million presently going without. Using myself as an example, I am presently covered, but if for some reason I find myself without, it would have a devastating effect on me personally. The reason it would is because of a medical condition I have which is epilepsy. Having this condition, I need monitoring through a neurologist and will be on medications for the rest of my life. One of the medications I am on is quite costly. Having this condition, the neurologist from time-to-time will order expensive tests such as an MRI which costs, $1,500 for the test. So, when I do hear the concerns of others presently going without, the phrase, “There but for the grace of God, go I” is one that I do think of. While in a non-political AOL chat room today, this discussion came up and I was surprised, but not really the many people stating they presently do not have health insurance. Some put aside money for a rainy day just in case they need to go to a doctor. But, it leaves me wondering: what about if a person finds themselves in a hospital for any number of reasons? A few years ago, I was in the hospital for pneumonia and for a three-and-a-half-day stay it cost over $10,000 dollars. Heaven forbid if I did not have medical insurance at that time. But, this is what millions of Americans face every single day of the year. How many of these uninsured Americans die as a result? We have so many in the political realm railing against socialized medicine, but heaven forbid any of these nay-Sayers find themselves without; they would surely welcome our government paying for their medical expenses. Yes, I understand the libertarian frame of mind which is to keep government out of our business, but not everyone can pull themselves up from their boot straps. I would like to ask those who believe that if they are covered. While they debate a political belief, they must realize the reality of those living without health insurance. For them, it is not a political debate, but one of sheer terror if they do get sick. I have written previously of the sheer terror some parents may find themselves in if a child of theirs comes down with a cold and they cannot afford to take their child to the doctor. I have written of seniors either having to choose between eating and taking medications. Imagine their terror?
With the 2008 presidential campaign underway, candidates on both sides have their own ideas in how to cover millions of Americans presently uninsured, but they will use private health insurance companies to fill this need. Let me remind all that these companies are in the business of providing health care at a profit. One must delve into each of these candidate’s health care proposals to see exactly what will be covered and what will not. Will one receive prescription medicines where some are quite expensive? What about chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer patients? They too are expensive. What about other conditions that are just as costly to treat? What about preventative care such as normal ob/gyn care? How much do mammograms, pap smears and other tests cost? All of these are on the minds of those presently going without health insurance. How many uninsured women come down with breast cancer because they could not afford a mammogram or cervical cancer because they could not afford a pap smear?
What this country needs is universal health care for all of its citizens. We Americans pay exorbitant taxes and what do we receive back? We receive war funding, ear marks and an American embassy built in Baghdad which cost all of us over $700 billion dollars. This opulent embassy is also a fire-trap as was recently reported. Through our taxes, politicians receive perks and are beholden to special interest groups at our expense.
Like him or hate him, the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez does provide health care for all Venezuelans with the profits made off of the sale of CITGO oil. Imagine that? These profits are being used to benefit people instead of corporate masters. Whether or not you are an expectant mom, a child, a senior citizen or an epileptic like me, the citizens of Venezuela do receive medical care from their government. Do you still feel like attacking their president? At least he has done more for the citizens of Venezuela than our esteemed politicians. I would like all of us to challenge these presidential candidates to give us what Venezuelan’s enjoy and that is peace of mind should any of us get sick the health care we deserve as citizens.
Just try putting yourselves into the shoes of those who go without health insurance. Do you feel the terror? Hey, even if you have the best health insurance package as I presently do, it can be taken away under any circumstance and then you are left without. At that moment in time, a trip to a doctor, any doctor may be something out of reach.
Lastly as you look upon our presidential candidates and who they are receiving donations from, question the ones who are benefiting from donations which come from HMOs or others within the health insurance industry. Ask yourself, if they will actually do anything to benefit ordinary Americans or are looking out for the insurance industries bottom line? Those who are currently going without health insurance do not see this as a right vs. left issue, a conservative vs. liberal issue; they do see it as a human rights issue. Every citizen of this country deserves quality health insurance. But, the sad and angering fact is that these politicians do not see it as we do. With the snap of a finger, you may be the next to go without health insurance. Do you feel the terror yet?
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
http://www.mary-macelveen.blogspot.com
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author
and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
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| 7 comments |
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What no takers!!!!
You are right on the mark. I am a musician and I work a low paying day job for one reason only. Health insurance!!!! My wife had an operation last year and the bill was $180,000.00. I also had a stint put in my heart 10k and the tests before and after costing at least 10k. The Repugs in the Senate say no socialized medicen but all of them take the congressional health insurance paid for by the people. Maybe we should tell them to find their own health insurance and put the money we the people pay for their health care back in the treasury. What no takers!!!! by Michael Chavers (53 articles, 0 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 198 comments [5 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 4:20:35 PM  (0+)
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Mary
Mary, I know how you feel. Without insurance my family and I would probably be on the streets. My wife is a diabetic. You can't imagine the amount of money we have spent out of our own pocket. Without insurance, I don't even want to think about it. Something has got to give in the health care system. In my heart I feel it's a long way in coming, especially with how are government is set up now. by Bob Gormley (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 1094 comments [65 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 5:55:55 PM (0+)
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Two Without Insurance
Yep, I have two working young ladies without health insurance. One has a child who is covered. My oldest daughter has a small business and she can't afford health insurance for her or her husband. Her husband is a waiter at a restaurant. Multi-millionaires should not be allowed to buy insurance. They can easily pay in cash. That would eliminate virtually all Washington DC politicians. Can you imagine Dick Cheney paying insurance to save on his medical costs? It is called greed, clearly and simply. by Dale Hill (59 articles, 0 quicklinks, 107 diaries, 350 comments) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 7:31:52 PM (0+)
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Socialized Medicine Scare
So tired of the "socialized medicine" scare tactics. Every other industrialized country cares for their fellow countrymen by providing some form of national health insurance, and they do it for an overall cost less then in the United States. Single payer not for profit health care would be a pay as you go system - only the way we pay would change. It would not be charity, it would be a system that would be there for any and everyone of us in need. We would all pay in according to our means - and receive care according to our need it would not be charity - but an equitable and fair system shared and financed by all. What we have now is a financial rip-off and human disaster. Health Insurers cherry pick the well - they don't care about providing care - just maximizing profits - when people get sick they do everything in their power to deny claims and deny coverage. They lobby our government and even write our laws. Medicare part D was a windfall for insurers and Big Pharma - it's sick we are imploding. I have a chronic condition. I have been with and without health insurance. When without, I stop taking life saving medication because the monthly out of pockets on prescriptions would exceed $1700 per month. Can't afford that. Sad part is the medications were developed with public funding - then handed over to the Pharmaceutical companies to patent, market and rake in profits. Through pre-existing condition exclusions unable to get an individual policy. Have to get a policy through employment. Even then there are waiting periods. Meanwhile, health deteriorates and you just pray it will rebound. I have no doubt that my life will end prematurely. Our health care system - sucks - flat sucks. A good friend of mine, died at 26. She was diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma - a totally curable form of cancer. She was placed on a state waiting list for 6 months. The cancer ate her alive, her death was a national disgrace and for me a personal tragedy. Our health care system is killing people, with 47 million uninsured, 50 million underinsured - if the message ever got out - there would be a Single Payer Health Care revolution - too bad the good humanistic ideas are all behind the corporate media sound barrier. The state of our nation, is sad. by August Adams (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 585 comments [11 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 9:00:57 PM (0+)
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Insurance
I recently returned from a Christmas Hoilday visit to my sister and brother-in-law in the Western U.S. During that visit I spoke to my sister-in law from California who was also visiting (family reunion) she said "No way would she want universal health care". She in fact would prefer to have tp govern her whole life around keeping her health insurance from her former profession as a teacher, in other words work as a spare every month. My sister also made it very clear that she would never want universal health care because it would raise taxes and be exploited by ne'r do wells. She also made disparaging remarks about Canada's universal system, of which she has no knowledge except what she has picked up on Faux "News" and yet she did nothing but complain about how they were going to get by with her husband retiring and losing his company insurance. I tell you I was ready to spit nickels. I almost decided to leave right then and there because I can't stand stupidity. In this case gross stupidity. But I realized I had to cut them both some slack as they were Republicans and therefore brain dead. by Archie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1750 comments [111 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 10:50:26 PM (0+)
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Low pay job trade for health care
I am working as a school bus driver, part time as a sub. Presently I have no health insurance. IF I get hired on as a "contract" driver, I'll qualify for health insurance. But you know... the thing is, If you're too sick to work, what happens to your health insurance? You can't pay for it on no income! And COBRA is a cruel joke! I HAD health insurance when I was driving a truck cross country for nearly 10 years. That lifestyle is extremely bad for one's health. The government-dictated work/sleep schedule, combined with the unreasonable demands of the shippers & carriers (with the blessing of the DOT) work against the driver in every way possible. Stress is a big part of the job, and that combined with sleep deficits, runs down the immune system. Drivers are more likely to suffer from diabetes and circulatory problems. Once these problems start, they can no longer drive, and the health insurance tied to the job is lost. It's a cruel system, for sure. There is a mechanic at the district where I work who is retired military. He gets his health insurance paid by Uncle Sam, and he is a staunch Republican. He doesn't consider what it's like for those of us who spent all our younger life raising a family, and who don't have the luxury of no-worry health insurance. Brain dead is the right word. by Semisweet (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008 at 11:32:26 PM (0+)
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WITH OUT HEALTH INSURANCE BRINGS HEALTH
I AM 65 AND JUST TURNED DOWN MEDACARE, YOUR HEALTH IS AT YOUR DINNER TABLE, EAT RIGHT, STAY FIT, AND DON'T WATCH FOX NEWS. WITH HEALTH INSURANCE, AND YOUR DOCTORS, AND THE DOCTORS ARE THE PILL PUSHERS FOR BIG PHARM. AND ALL THESE PILLS ARE WHAT ARE MAKING MOST AMERICANS SICK AND DEPENTANT, A DOCTOR GIVE YOU ONE PILL AND BEFOR YOU KNOW IT YOU WILL BE TAKING 4 OR 5 PILLS TO STOP THE EFECTS OF THE FRIST PILL. ITS UP TO YOU TO BE HEALTHY, NOT YOUR INSURANCE OR THE DOCTORS, WATCH WHAT YOU EAT AND DRINK, READ THE LABALES, KEEP YOUR WHIGHT DOWN AND YOU WILL BE FINE. WHEN HAS A PILL EVER CURED ANYONE. by RICHARD SHADE (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 460 comments) on Wednesday, Jan 16, 2008 at 2:25:07 AM (0+)
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