I was watching C-SPAN yesterday, and Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Connecticut) revealed some rather startling statistics about health care coverage. According to Sen. Dodd, about 14,000 people in the United States lose their healthcare coverage every week, either through losing their jobs or having their insurance company terminate their coverage. That's an average of about 100,000 people every week.Of course, this is in addition to the more than 50 million people already without health insurance coverage (although some say the figure is closer to 80 million). Sen. Dodd says that while Congress is on their summer break, about 756,000 people will lose their health insurance. Just in Texas alone, 15,040 people will lose their coverage. With unemployment climbing, these numbers are not going to get better any time soon.
I can understand the situation these people are in. About a month ago, I was forcedto retire from my job. I was lucky in that I was old enough to retire and get social security. But while the social security is enough to pay my monthly expenses, it is not nearly enough to buy health insurance.
Just to continue the same sadly inadequate insurance that I had, would cost me over $360 a month and I assure you, there's no way to fit that into my meager budget. But it gets worse. In the last couple of years, I was diagnosed with diabetes. That "pre-existing condition" would jack up any new insurance to probably around $1000 a month.
The point is that unless the Democrats grow a backbone and pass real health care reform, I will be without health insurance for the next three years (until I can qualify for MediCare). Do I sound bitter? Well, I am. I've worked most of my life in public jobs for the good of the citizens of Texas, and endured the paltry salary offered.
I didn't mind that -- it was my choice. But it does anger me now, when Republicans (and some Blue Dog Democrats) tell me I don't deserve health care because I chose public service over getting rich. Is that really the way we want this country to be?
I don't expect anything from the Republicans. They sold out long ago to the rich and the corporations. My only hope (and millions more like me) is that the Democrats can finally get together and pass some real health care reform -- preferably with a public option.
I would sign up for public health care in a heartbeat.
Not trying to argue against the existence of a real problem, but that 14,000 number is never stated as a net loss. Surely some people also gain coverage.
ReplyDeleteAlso, why is that the Democrats' plan should just be accepted without debate? Because Democrats are always right and Republicans are always wrong?
I am for reform and affordable health care. Having the White House push lawmakers to just pass something for the sake of it seems like risky business.
I spent a year uninsured but always before that, and now, I had/have okay insurance as insurance goes. But I'd probably also sign up for the public option in a New York minute. I'm who the insurance companies are experiencing chronic IBS over. It's kind of nice to think about them lying awake at night worrying about me, rather than the other way around. But it will only be truly satisfying if health-care reform with a robust public option is passed.
ReplyDelete