|
I'm fortunate. I have health insurance. My health care providers this week keep calling it "the good stuff." I'm grateful. Really. Even though I'm also resentful.
You see, 2 years and 1000 miles ago, I had better health insurance. I had "Blue Cross Prudent Buyer," paid for by my employer, and everything I ever needed was covered 100%. Prescriptions cost me $7 or $8. I got a new pair of glasses every year, and only needed to shell out cash if my frames went over the allowance. There were plenty of frames available within that budget. Dentist, vision, and everything else...just make the appointment and go.
We were hearing the cost rumbles. We'd made concessions elsewhere for several contracts in a row to keep the benefits. We knew it was going to come to an end, but were determined to go down fighting, keeping our benefits complete as long as possible.
Then I moved. New state, new employer. They provide benefits. Whew! That's good, because I took a full 1/3 pay cut to do the same job in an area where the cost of living is no lower. Except...I have to contribute money every month to pay for the benefits. Ok. That wasn't figured into the budget when planning for the pay cut, but I'll make it work.
Of course, there are also copays. That's what I really resent. Paying for the insurance, so that I can pay the copays. I resented it so much that I didn't even use the insurance for 2.5 years. Just this week, I've finally gone in for all the neglected maintenance. I'm pissed. Between eyes, teeth, and regular doctor, I'm down $400 so far, and have more work to do with doctor and dentist. There's no extra $400 laying around, so I took on some extra days of work to "cover" it. Still, my health is suffering I neglected known issues because it cost too much to visit the doctor even with my insurance. And I have the "good" insurance.
My adult sons have none. They're living paycheck to paycheck, and haven't been to a doctor, dentist, or optometrist in 7-10 years, since they were no longer covered under my insurance.
My mother has medicare, but it doesn't cover the dental work she had this month. Removal of all the teeth she had left since they didn't work any more, replaced with dentures. Guess whose credit card covered that one?
If I am struggling to cover my own health care costs with "good" insurance, how about all those people who aren't as fortunate as I am?
I want universal, single-payer, not-for-profit health CARE. Now. Before anybody has to incur anymore debt or stress.
|