Chronic Rants

The so-called “Obamacare” plan has a lot of faults to it.  The process was overly politicized by a group of people with the best and most affordable healthcare in the country, the majority of whom could afford private care if they needed to.  They weren’t exactly representing “us.”

But like it or not as a whole, there are definitely some good parts to the plan.

For me, a great part is that health insurance companies will no longer (starting in 2014, but there’s a stop-gap plan until then) be able to turn someone away for having a pre-existing condition.  They also will not be able to find a convenient reason to end coverage shortly after someone is diagnosed with an expensive condition.  I believe there’s also something in there to prevent insurance companies from charging exceedingly high premiums to those with pre-existing conditions.  This is HUGE!  If I were to move to CA right now and I had to get my own insurance, I couldn’t do it.  I’ve seen their insurance company policies.  I’d be out before they got through the first page of my application.  But after this, they’ll have to insure me.  It’s a fantastic start.

But there’s still a long way to go.  There isn’t enough in there about making healthcare affordable.  I was talking to a friend last night who has always been perfectly healthy.  In fact, in the 10 years I’ve known her, I’ve never seen her have more than a sniffle.  She lives in CA and pays $300 a month for her health insurance.  I have no idea how much her company pays, but she gets it though them.  $300 is ridiculous for an individual plan.  Recently she has been having numbness in her left arm.  She went to the doctor, who sent her to a physical therapist.  She went to physical therapy three times.  It didn’t help.  And she got a bill for $400 (in addition to the copays she had already paid) for those three PT visits.  When she told me this yesterday I was in shock.  I wish I was there in person to review her policy.  She could have a deductible or co-insurance, but for $300 a month, she really shouldn’t have either.  Now she still has the problem and, with copays has paid about $500.  She doesn’t want to go back to the doctor because of the cost!  What kind of system is this!

I have been surprised had how many people are against “Obamacare.”  I suppose these are people who don’t pay for health insurance now and who are healthy.  They figure they’ll never need it.  I just hope they read this article and really consider it.  It could happen to anyone.  I eat well and take care of myself and get plenty of sleep and try to avoid stress.  And I have health problems.  I take a lot of medications and see a lot of doctors.  That’s not my fault.  And it’s not someone’s fault when they get cancer or get hit by a car.  And what if it were their fault?  Does that mean they shouldn’t get health insurance?  Well, I suppose that’s a discussion for another day.  In the meantime, let’s get people to consider just how important it is to have access to good, affordable healthcare.

The new system isn’t great, but it’s a start.

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