I've had new insight into this matter. While I've struggled with the idea of government-run programs--of ANY kind--my spouse and I are now faced with the reality that we may be unable to afford health insurance after November. We're currently receiving a subsidy from the state to help pay for our Blue Cross Premium (which is $780 for the two of us--fucking OUTRAGEOUS). The state program notified us it's time to reapply. WTF?! I wondered. We've only been receiving assistance since February and I was told we reapply annually, the subsidy lasting for one year, which should take us to February 2008. I wasn't expecting to apply until this fall, given we were approved last November.
So I call 'em up and was told they have us apply 4 months in advance. I was also told the subsidy is good through mid-November. I said "But we weren't approved for insurance until February." Too damn bad. It isn't the state's fault Blue Fuck-U-Over Cross takes forever to process paperwork nor that they love to deny folks only to invite them back through their business partnership with the state while reducing coverage and charging higher premiums. It isn't the state's fault that our insurance agent (that we were TOLD to use by the state) FAILED to tell us "unless you have perfect health, don't bother applying for private plans. Sign up with the state medical insurance plan." That's what drew this whole process out an additional two fucking months.
So, once approved by the state, the subsidy help kicks in, irregardless of whether or not it is used. And given Blue Fuck-U-Over Cross has their 6 month pre-existing condition, my spouse and I have not been able to get our health issues addressed. Add this up and this means we will get guaranteed coverage for, get this, ONLY THREE MONTHS.
Well, whatever. It is as it is. So I go through our paperwork and calculate our average income for the previous 3 months. This is the income they will be going by. The results aren't pretty. Our income went up an average of $200 a month (gross). It has since dropped now that it's summer, but they won't be counting our summer hours. Whatever.
Anyway, as a result, our subsidy amount (percentage) is going down, which means we will have to come up with another $250/month. We can't afford that!! We're strapped as it is! I've asked the state before why they only go by the "gross" amount. Why not go by the REAL income? "That's just how we do things," I'm told. Brilliant, descriptive answer.
FUCK! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO CONCERN THEMSELVES OR WORRY THEMSELVES ABOUT THIS. When you're young, you really don't have to. When you have the income, you don't. However, when you're starting to get older and your income is grossly unfairly low, it becomes an issue. A REAL issue.
Let the fucking government do their fucking job, which is to TAKE CARE OF YOU AND ME instead of Mr. and Mrs. Corporate fucking America. WE COME FIRST. PERIOD. That means MY needs supercede those of Corporate America.
And if people don't like that idea (and those who don't are typically in love with our current capitalist system of out-of-control gluttony and greed), let the fucking elite cough over some of their wealth to those of us who don't have it. Who says they are somehow more entitled to this level of wealth simply because their job responsibilities are different? Who says that someone's TITLE enTITLE'S them to a higher wage? None of this is fair, right OR just. Whatever it is we do for a living, IT ALL HAS WORTH AND VALUE. P E R I O D!
Frankly, I am SICK of hearing the terms "socialist", "commie" and whatever STUPID ass label the arrogant, pretentious, spoiled, usually white folks toss around whenever this subject comes up. People use labels only when they lack credible reasons to disagree with you. Or most likely, when they do not want to deviate from their own (limited) thought process.
I am SICK of hearing those who LOVE to bury their heads in their pretentious fucking plots of sand while blaming the victim and saying "it's YOUR fault your income is so low" while COMPLETELY ignoring what government has allowed businesses to do: ALLOW FOR THE STAGNATION OR DECLINE OF REAL WAGES, ALLOW FOR THE CESSATION OF EMPLOYER-PAID BENEFITS, not to mention NOT ALL OF US ARE BORN INTO WEALTH or INTO A FAMILY THAT SUPPORTS US/IS THERE FOR US/ENCOURAGES US, i.e.--DOES THEIR JOB.... etc. etc.. I am SICK of the new age and religious types who tell you to merely THINK WEALTHY and you will BECOME wealthy. Or hey, donate to our church and god will reward you abundantly.
Sorry, but last time I checked, GOD WAS NOT IN CHARGE OF THE FUCKING CASH FLOW. God isn't a fucking BANK. And if thoughts were enough, trust me--this problem wouldn't exist. I do not know of ANY PERSON who struggles financially who does not send out STRONG desires for more wealth to come their way.
So.....I'm turning back those ugly, insensitive, short-sighted, pretentious, idiotic, narrow-minded, heartless comments and judgements and putting them back on you all. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE MY INCOME HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE COST. PERIOD.
Chew on that one for awhile. And while you're chewing, check your heart and your soul really really closely. Because if you do not support the right for everyone to have access to affordable and safe health care, you are indeed heartless. Or at the very least, you are in need of having to be faced with the reality of not being able to afford health insurance for you and your family. That is often when people wake up to this growing nightmare of a problem.
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13 comments:
yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!!!!
say it like it is sista!
i think the reasons this hasn't been a huge issue for me (until recently) are:
1)there is no shortage of pressing issues we face these days/info overload.
2)i've been luckily healthy knock on wood.
3)i've had some insurance up till now, currently i'm uninsured again.
4)until i saw sicko, i didn't realize how great it is to not have to worry about paying for medical/dental concerns.
i think if we (americans) switch to a universal system that isn't out to make a profit for a couple o fat cats, the collective relief of that burden being lifted off the shoulders of everyone would yield a boost in productivity and well-being.
the powers that be have turned america from the home of the free, to the home of the free to be as greedy, selfish, dishonest, bloodthirsty, and hateful as you wanna be.
i've had enough now, thanks all the same.
EXACTLY! by changing the system so that ALL have access, so that income/ability to pay is no longer a factor, this in and of itself will INCREASE overall health by removing that huge burden. classic example: you have an employee who either doesn't have adaquate insurance or none at all. they're having health issues but cannot afford the doctor visit and necessary medical care. in time, work productivity will decline as health does, or as health fails to improve/recover.
this isn't rocket science afterall. health insurance for all=a healthier, more productive society. the idea that this philosophy isn't embraced by those who have the means of changing the health care system is frightening. obviously there are those at the top who truly do not care about humanity, who view the workforce as disposable. who have no value for life unless it concerns them.
you know the system is dysfunctional when the need for profit supercedes the fundamental right of the health and well being of people.
i used to be more open to discussing certain things about our society, willing to listen to other viewpoints. no more. there are some things that simply NEED to be put in place. one of them is the right to affordable, quality healthcare, irregardless of ones income. P E R I O D
i hope you find work soon, and at the very least, i hope your health remains good. overall i as well have had good health--but the older i get the more of an issue it has become for me--health and health insurance. and how will we afford it?
a question no one should have to ask themselves--or need to.
Somewhere, someone just like you had an idea. They took that idea and turned it into a company. The company became very successful and that person became rich. They were willing to take chances you are not willing to take.
Why on Earth should that person pay for your health insureance?
Please help me understand.
I don't want the Government involved in my Health Care, period.
If one does not like their situation, living conditions or their income, by God change it.
I can't imagine going through life depending on other people and neither should you.
I personally know of people that came to the USA with nothing in 2004 and couldn't even speak english, they're now worth millions.
Why should they pay for your Health Care? Why would you want or expect them to?
By the way, you don't need Health Care Insurance, there are clinics everywhere that you can just walk in and be treated, mostly for free.
National Health Care is already here, check it out, your'll love the treatment you get from the US Government, ask to folks coming home from Iraq. There is not an Emergency Room in the USA that can turn you away, it's illegal.
biting my lip...biting my lip...
peace and love and joy to all the ranandos of the world...
tkn,
Please explain where am I wrong?
It's one thing to have our Government give you Health-Care but why should the rich pay for your Health-Care?
If you wanted to, you could be rich also.
I no longer justify or explain my ideas and visions for different world/system.
It is short-sighted to say everyone can be rich. I've already explained the myriad of reasons for that throughout this blog. For practical purposes, there is no way the planet could sustain it if everyone were to live as you do Ranando.
No judgements on that comment. Just an observation.
I'm not saying that being rich is the answer to anything. In fact to some it's the beginning of the end.
However, I will say it over and over again, ANYONE CAN BE RICH, ANYONE. To think that you can't is really a sad set of affairs.
It is a level playing field, anyone can do it.
why should the rich help pay for my health care? because we have this thing called a society. you might not believe it, but it includes everyone, including people without any money. being a part of this society means that those who gain much from the system are obligated to give back much. that doesn't mean everything, you can still be wealthy and live well, just share a little more of what you have. i believe your life will also be enriched in non-monetary ways if you choose to do so. people like you will never have enough money no matter how much you make, and will always resist sharing. take all your fucking money to your grave with your sorry ass. i sure as hell won't be shedding any tears.
tkn,
Wow,take all my sorry ass money to my grave?
What a loving comment to make.
You have no idea how much I gave to people in need. You have no idea how much I give to charity. You have no idea of how many young adults I pay for their collage educations, in full. You have no idea on how many parks and playgrounds I have helped pay for in the inner-cities throughout the USA.
I hope you love your sorry ass life because it's as good as it's going to get, people like you will always be nothing but losers wanting someone else to pay your way, pathetic.
ranando,
again, i apologize for flying off the handle and making mean-spirited comments. i am disappointed with myself for lowering my own energy state and escalating conflict.
i am frustrated, however, with your mentality, as i guess you are with mine.
so, lets see the stats. how much do you give? relative to your total income? if you are so giving, then why are you so resistant to the idea of giving back in the form of taxes so everyone can have health care? i imagine you're more than happy to pay your taxes so the US Army can go around murdering innocent Arabs.
as measly as my income is, i also give to charities when i can. i do love my life and if this is as good as it gets, i'm fine with it, because i am content, materially speaking. i don't need to be rich. i'm not a loser and i don't expect anyone to pay my way, indeed i would say i am a hard worker. i do expect to live in a system where everyone pitches in to help everyone else in recognition of our common humanity.
i am not content with the state of our society. there are too many people like you who wrongly believe themselves to be distinct and separate from everyone else. there are too many people who fall through the cracks of a broken system. there are too many people who live in fear of falling through the cracks because they live paycheck to paycheck and one little thing is all it takes to cause financial ruin.
i'm not sure why i'm bothering trying to get you to change your mind... thanks for reminding me of what i don't want to be (someone who makes nasty comments) and for engaging and giving a damn. i do realize that most people don't, i gotta give you credit for that.
tkn,
We all say things we wished we didn't, God knows I do it all the time.
I get upset with you because you never read my complete comment.
I am not against helping anyone with their Health-Care and paying my share to do so. I'm against our Government getting involved in our Health-Care and I will fight to my end to keep that from happening.
I am personally involved in the Health-Care of many of our employees. I pay 100% of it for them, good Health-Care, the best PPO's we can find. One employee just had to have emergency surgery at a cost of $110,000.00. Their share of the payment was $6,000.00, I paid it for them in full.
As far as charities, in our Corporate Budget we put 10% of all yearly profits in a fund for charities, sometimes and it has been as much as $10,000,000.00.
I know you would like to see our Big Bad Business go down the drain and take that money we spend on charities with it, you would make so many hard working Americans so happy if we went down.
You know nothing about me and if you did you would know that I didn't or do I now support the war in Iraq or George W. Bush.
I'm glad you're happy, everyone should be happy. I too am very happy with my life, I am thankfull each and every day.
forgive me nina, but i don't want ranando to have the last word here. maybe we'll get lucky and he won't read this.
i understand the fear of letting the government control what kind of health care you receive, but if you see sicko, you'll see that in countries with universal health care, doctors make the decisions, not government bureaucrats, and if that is your argument, then i absolutely agree, but know that universal health care does not equal government controlled health care. it just means that everyone can stop worrying about 1) having insurance 2) whether something is covered 3) the cost of preventative health care 4) the cost to businesses large and small, that means a cost savings for ranando's business 5) having to work a shitty job just to have health insurance 6) a trip to the emergency room meaning foreclosure on the house, declaring bankruptcy and ending up on the streets eventually 7) some greedy, craven, inhuman mother fucking cocksucker vampire making a profit by denying health care to someone in need 8) etc. etc.
and for the record, i don't know what it is that ranando does, what his business is, and as such, i am not against it perse. before taking his word for it, i'd like to hear from all of his employees about how great it is to work for him.
also, does he tell his employees to stop bitching and just become rich like he did?
ranando said something like, if you don't like your situation, change it. his suggestion was to get rich like he did. my suggestion is that we pool our resources as common, ordinary folk, the salt of the earth, and tell rich people, you know what, its our government too, and GODDAMMIT we deserve universal health care already. period end of story. as a great person once stated
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