My personal story is that I have had three hernia operations over the last 15 years. Because I did not have health insurance each time I was injured, I had to wait an average of 18 months before I could get it taken care of. At the present time, I have no health insurance because my income is low, my employer only pays half of the premium, and, at age 58, I cannot afford the cost.
My wife and one of my daughters have teeth that need frequent work. Right now I am looking at $1800 for two crowns for my wife. And several years aog, even with a $1200 plane ticket, it was cheaper for my daughter to get her teeth fixed in India because it would have cost $5000 here.
I just got off the phone talking to an aide in Congressman George Miller's office. I really unloaded on him about the shortcomings of our healthcare system for which I have mixed feelings. (more after the break)
My rant reminded me of Peter Finch in Network when he told people to yell out the window, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it any more."
George Miller, who is my Representative, is a co-sponsor of HR 676, the single-payer bill. He is also chair of the Education and Labor Committee. I asked how many statements Miller has made on the floor of the Congress about the value of single-payer. The aide did not know. I asked the aide whether single-payer would be covered in the hearing on healthcare today. The aide did not know. I doubty that it will.
I asked if any of the healthcare bills covered dental care. I reminded the aide of a story that was reported in the Washington Post several years ago. A poor black teenager died from an infected tooth that was not taken care of because there was no clinic that he could go to. The aide responded that the bill covers dental care for children. I asked what happens when you turn 21. Do your teeth miraculously no longer need work when you become an adult? Or is it OK for teeth to rot after one has grown up?
I pointed out the Senator Baucus gets 1/4 of his campaign money from the healthcare industry and that every year he entertains lobbyists for a weekend of fly-fishing and golf in Montana. While this is legal, Max Baucus is really a criminal and if our justice system really worked, Baucus would no longer be a Senator but would be in jail.
Finally, I told the aide that I want a strong public option that moves us as far as possible toward single payer but that I despair that we will ever see a system that really helps the average person. I said that my family is essentially healthy and I shudder when I think about what would happen if anybody got really sick.
Given how complex the legislative process is and how much money flows through Congress from lobbyists and corporations, I have serious doubts that I will ever see a health care bill that will ever help average people like me and my family.
I call and write Congressman Miller and my Senators, Boxer and Feinstein, regularly. Because California is such a large state, it is hard to get a response from my Senators.
Anyways, I am running out of time and have to get ready for work.