Posted by johnLA on June 28, 2012, at 22:04:22
In reply to Re: Welcome USA To Socialism Healthcare Bill Passed » europerep, posted by Dinah on June 28, 2012, at 17:31:28
i, too, wanted to stay out of this...
i was a public school teacher for 27 years. i had continuos employer supplied health coverage from the time i was 22. i never thought anything about it until i got sick and could no longer work...
now, since i came down w/severe depression over 2 years ago i have had to pay for my own insurance. for now i am a bit lucky, in california we have extended cobra benefits; 36 months. still, this is taking-up about 20% of my current income. (i'm on early retirement at 50% of my planned pension.) i do not qualify for any social security (medicare/etc) benefits because in california teachers do not pay in to social security. i am legally disabled at this point. i am very very worried about what will happen when my cobra runs out. again, i do not qualify for any government funded healthcare at this point.
i looked for cheaper coverage. never got the chance; no way any insurance company was going to offer me coverage due to my health history. so, like i said, i am lucky that at least i have the cobra coverage for now.
i am luckier than many. 40 million americans are without health coverage. many of these are actually working middle class people. this is just not right. i am not saying president obama's plan is the best, but FINALLY a national discussion is happening on healthcare. this is good i believe and long overdue.
you can get caught-up in all the politics due to this being an election year. i could give rat's *ss about that. nobody knows what a potential national healthcare plan will look like in 2 years. much debate/discussion/compromise i believe will take place in the congress, senate and the white house over he next 2 years. i am hopeful that this will lead to getting more people insured in this country.
regardless, if some of that discussion/debate leads to reform that allows for greater access to insurance that is affordable and inclusive i can see this as only a positive.
some final thoughts; the number 1 reason people file for bankruptcy in this country is due to medical costs. not loss of job. 2. i find it ironic that it is the 'law' to have car insurance. why no complaints there? by far a greater expense to this country publicly is caused by those without health insurance, not uninsured motorists.
sorry, last one. the ceo of my health insurer earned 125 million dollars last year. i am all for a free market, but when is enough enough? part of that 125 million came from almost 20% of my limited income. this is the guy who also decides not to insure sick kids. doesn't seem right.
again, i would highly recommend that you do not get caught-up in the rhetoric that will be played-up by both campaigns on this issue leading-up to the presidential election. it's a very easy issue for both candidates to exploit.
in the end, i believe those with health insurance will see no real difference. both in cost, coverage, taxes, etc. i am hoping that those 40 million of us who do not have insurance will see a change; a chance to get insurance that does not break the bank, has no pre-existing restrictions, and offers the health care every american deserves.
john
poster:johnLA
thread:1020322
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120608/msgs/1020398.html