Bad times can happen to anyone

[leftyladyfrommo]

I have a friend - and he is really a nice guy - who really bought into the idea that everyone just needs to take care of themselves. It's each person's responsibility. He is a very right wing republican who worked all of his life.

And now - he really needs help and there is no place for him to turn.

He tried to go into business for himself doing what he has always done. And I guess the business went pretty well and he was making good money until the price of diesel sky rocketed. And he made the terrible mistake of spending his money on fancy stuff instead of paying the IRS.

He went under and now has a lot of debt. And a big debt owed the IRS.

And, at the age of 40 + he has been diagnosed with cancer. He has insurance through the company her works for but he can't afford the $1500 deductible. Without treatment he will be gone before the end of the year. But he can't afford the treatment - even with insurance. With treatment he could live 2-10 years. And he will be leaving a wife of 20 years and 3 pretty much grown daughters. There is an IRS lien on their house so all of his equity - and all of his assets - are tied up. His wife is also in her 40's and has no real skills to fall back on.

It's a very sad situation. And I wonder if how realizes why its important that all Americans have access to health care. Not just the wealthy.

[dkf]

1. We need to find a cure for cancer, not plan to spend millions on each individual for a few extra yrs

We haven't been serious about it. Too many people make money off cancer.

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. Won't it cost a lot of money just to get the chemo he needs?

Seems like even people with insurance end up with massive debts.

[badtoworse]

4. My brother had chemotherapy for about a year before he died from lung cancer

He had good insurance, but it still cost a lot of money and I doubt it extended his life by more than a month or so.

[TBF]

19. Which is why it needs to be socialized, or if you prefer, nationalized -

We spend billions on "defense" (killing people in other countries) and that money could pay for a lot of research funding.

[Mojorabbit]

3. He needs to call the IRS and go up the ladder if he has to

They have a new program and are working with people in distress. It seems with his medical condition he would be a good candidate for the program. I hope he can get some help.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. True ...

And in the meantime, as a friend, the OP writer can offer any financial assistance that he/she can spare.

[elehhhhna]

8. yep cuz we all have an extra several grand laying around

cuz we're pulling the shit out of our bootstraps, right?

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. Believe it or not ...

there are some of us that do.

And far more of us willing to do whatever it is we can, in order to accomplish it ... even if it means doing without; and even if it does pay the entire bill.

[Bake]

6. Part of me wanted to say "That's what you get" for a split-second.

But that would make me no better than the ReThugs.

I'm sorry about your friend, and I hope he gets the help he needs. And if he does, I hope he sees the light about that right-wing bullshit.

Bake

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. I have often said ...

That your title defines the difference between liberals and conservatives.

The liberal, generally, recognizes that bad things can happen to otherwise, undeserving people, including themselves. So to protect themselves, Liberals, generally, support a vibrant and accessible social safety net.

If the liberal needs to access it, it is there; but if the liberal doesn't need to access it, it's still there for those that need it.

On the other hand, conservatives cannot fathom the idea that they will need help ... it cuts against the rugged individualist American mythos. So they resist having to pay for something they cannot imagine they will need.

Of course, however, when misfortune does befall them, they have no problem demanding that which they had previously denied others.

[treestar]

10. +1

Conservatives in a nutshell

[Phentex]

18. That's as I've heard it, too...

well said.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. These are the cases - that made me a rabid proponent of Universal/Single Payer

He has insurance.
He pays - probably a pretty penny for that insurance.
He has to cough up another $1500 K just to USE said insurance.


I work in one of the 'evil empire' companies at DU! But my company could never get away with that . . . sell you a Subsidized phone at say $99, put you on a monthly plan, but tell you - hey - you better cough up another $1500 before we'll let you use our phone. . . That would be an insane business model -

And Insurance in and of itself - health, auto, property, boat, etc. etc. - in my first hand experience seems to follow an 'insane' business model.

I think - if you had not shown his political beliefs/affiliation - more people would say - This suuuuuuuuucks.


Sad but true. In my case - I'm going to go on the side of humanity - and being human. This sucks because I'm my brother's/sister's keeper - and I want to live in a country where my brother/sisters never have a moments worry over stitches, hysterectomy, breast exam, prostate exam, fillings in rotten teeth, glasses when they can't see - and chemo when it is called for.

Point blank - regardless of his past political beliefs - and maybe present - it sucks. My heart goes out to him and his family.

[1StrongBlackMan]

12. 1+ ...

It amazes me that any liberal would ever contemplate any other position ... single-payer, but moreso, HUMANITY.

[JustAnotherGen]

13. And plus one

Back at you. Because I've read enough of your posts - I take your approval as a high complement.

[TBF]

14. Single payer for all -

even those of us with good incomes know we may be able to pay today but what if the company lays us off tomorrow?

Most advanced economies are figuring out that it makes sense to truly spread the risk with some sort of nationalized system.

I would think small business would join democrats in welcoming such coverage.


On a personal level I am sorry for your friend and his family - a very hard way to learn a lesson. There is so much money spent by the uber-wealthy (especially the Koch's but others also) in spreading this propaganda that turns folks against each other. And we all know the Koch's aren't going to pony up and help out this guy. It's very sad.

[coalition_unwilling]

16. We live in a society where 1% control 40% of the wealth and 10% control 80% of the wealth. Until

a mass uprising\revolution changes that, I'm not hopeful that we'll see much meaningful reform.

We are a wealthy enough nation that when you get sick, you should be able to go to the doctor and get well or get treatement, irrespective of your wealth or employment status. But with the obscene concentrations of wealth considered the 'norm' in our society currently, my 'should' sounds pretty hollow.

[dawg]

15. My heart goes out for him and his family, but ...

I bet he blames the IRS, the government, and the "damn high-tax liberals" for all of his problems.

Again, I don't want to be mean. I hope he gets the help he needs. But even faced with situations like this, most conservatives do not see the light. I have seen it time and time again.

[coalition_unwilling]

17. Or worse, he blames undocumented workers "stealing his healthcare" for his woes - n/t