A Step in the right direction
I have had a myriad of health issues in the past few months even though I am a relatively healthy guy in my late 20s. I exercise a few times a week, I ride my bike, and I eat my vegetables. Nevertheless, my wallet has now been crippled by the debts I have accumulated due to my unexpected
health issues.
Even though I only spent less than 24 hours in a hospital, I am responsible for some considerable bills. I can barely even keep up with the bills that seem to come to my home every day. An emergency room bill. A CT scan bill. An overnight hospital stay bill. A vascular surgeon’s bill. A hematologist’s bill. A credit card bill that I have had to use for prescribed meds. Then I have to get blood tests once a week and so I incur another bill to get my blood work done every single week. It’s insanity!
I, like so many Americans today, have no insurance and I am watching myself
get buried in debt more and more with every month because of my medical
bills. Can I expect to get some kind of help from Uncle Sammie?
I can’t even imagine if someone had a serious, chronic condition and didn’t have insurance. Bills stacking on top of bills can seem treacherous as you begin to plan on being broke for the foreseeable future.
How do the working poor survive with a medical system that is so damn expensive? Those who work their fingers to the bone and are barely able to keep themselves clothed and fed don’t stand a chance. In America, that’s millions of people. Millions of people who can be financially ruined if struck with an unexpected or severe medical issue.
Why can’t people just get the medical care that they need without digging themselves a financial hole that is nearly impossible to escape?
I never took this issue to heart before I found out how one medical issue can cripple someone’s finances. This is a problem in our society today and I think that President Obama’s healthcare bill is a small step in the right direction. I think that it will help thousands of Americans every year.
I know that I have a bit of a warped perception of the world, but I think that it is the duty of those who can help to help those in need. Some people might call that socialism; I think it’s the right thing to do.
There are so many different angles on this issue Jake. It is a difficult situation, for most people. Myself included. I hate to hear that you have had a battle on your hands…you are a great person, and deserve a great quality of life. I tought I would give you my dime though (by the way, your writings are spot on, love the site)!
First, there is the socialized medicine angle (Canada). I applied for a position in Canada a few years ago…and the first concern I had was the Canadian healthcare program / system. Long story short, everyone I talked to had horror stories (either thier own, or somebody they knew). It is extremely difficult to get good, timely, healthcare in Canada. Why? They all say it is because all the “good doctors” (and the few they have) practice in the USA…where they can actually make money. Some patients (former) that I spoke to, waited for more than 6 months to be seen. Hmmmm. That is an issue most don’t realize.
Second, if you don’t have insurance, there are ways to work down the debt you incur from healthcare bills. It is the old “can’t get blood from a turnip” philosphy, and trust me, it exsists today more than any of us probably know. The overpriced healthcare system in our country, driven largely by lawsuit after lawsuit (thank you lawyers) has gotten out of control. Healthcare professionals realize that, and will work with you to make your debt(s) manageable. They understand that something is better than nothing. Ask a doctor how expensive malpractice insurance is…they will become fighting mad. Ask them why it is so expensive, and they blame the insurance industry. BUT, the insurance industry is what protects them…and has protected them, against lawsuit after lawsuit after lawsuit. It is a vicious circle. If there were no lawsuits, would our health insurance cost be as high as they are? It is the $600,000.00 cup of McDonald’s coffee theory! HUH?!?!
Third, there is the medicare / medicade situation. Another story for another day. But it exsists (and was created), largely, for people that cannot afford health insurance, or are retired. Is the system manipulated, taken advantage of, and not needed in many cases, absolutely. Tough to stop that from happening though, not sure if anyone has every spearheaded the attempt. WIC money should’nt buy smokes…
Fourth, there is the insurance option. If you paid $100 per month, for a $5,000 deductible policy, would you be better off today? Maybe, maybe not. It is all up to the individual, and what thier way of thinking is. This latest “plan” passed down onto us from the Federal Government is a mess. And although there is an excitement about it…it is an uneducated excitement. Do you know what is going to happen (in the near future) if you do not have health insurance? You will be penalized on your tax return…right there…right now. Do you know how expensive health insurance is going to become (I know the Fed said that won’t happen…really)? Ouch. And then, there is more. A lot more. Again, another story for another day.
Take care my friend, I wish you all my best, always.
There is no right answer here.