I need to write this out, more than anything, to vent.
I'm a US citizen who has a law degree and a master's degree in policy. I've held "respectable", good paying jobs over the years that have offered me decent healthcare insurance.
Over the last several months, I've been in the process of re-locating to Denmark to be with my partner. In June, I discovered that I am pregnant. Although not yet technically entitled to healthcare benefits under Danish law, I was able to schedule an appointment immediately with a women's clinic in Copenhagen.
I need to write this out, more than anything, to vent.
I'm a US citizen who has a law degree and a master's degree in policy. I've held "respectable", good paying jobs over the years that have offered me decent healthcare insurance.
Over the last several months, I've been in the process of re-locating to Denmark to be with my partner. In June, I discovered that I am pregnant with my first child. Although not yet technically entitled to healthcare benefits under Danish law, I was able to schedule an appointment immediately with a women's clinic in Copenhagen. I was given a free scan and an initial consultation with a physician there. Although it wasn't something I personally wanted, I learned that abortions are covered there, even to foreigners in my situation. If I had opted to, I could have terminated in Denmark without paying for anything. The law is generally somewhat similar to state laws, in that terminations are allowed up to 12 weeks there, and then subject to further restrictions into the second trimester.
Anyway, fast forward 7 weeks. Pending visa issues, I have had to return to the States for the next three months. I have been paying for private insurance via COBRA for the last several months, but that is due to expire. I set out to find a new insurance plan here, which I expected to pay for out of pocket. I was turned down by everyone because my pregnancy is considered a pre-existing condition.
When I spoke with an ehealthinsurance.com representative, I was directed to the coverageforall.org website, which purports to help everyone, in light of the recent passage of all that great healthcare reform. From there, I contacted a representative and was informed that in my state (PA), there is one insurer who can offer me a plan for my "pre-existing" condition, which I can in no way afford.
You know, I voted for Obama. I supported his platforms for change. I believe that everyone should have access to healthcare. But I just cannot get over how abhorrent this country's healthcare really is. People who are in the greatest need of medical care based on their "pre-existing" conditions still cannot get it, because insurers are still profit-driven and only care about profits, not people.
I completely understand now how citizens of other countries think the US is beyond backwards.
Here I am, over three months pregnant and made to feel like a criminal for trying to find a health insurance plan that will cover me. Where is the healthcare that was promised to us all?! Where are the Republicans who believe that women should have their babies?! Oh right, they don't really give a shit about anyone; they just like to pretend that they do. If they actually cared, people like me wouldn't be in this situation.
Thanks, America. I can't wait to leave you for the evil, socialist pastures of Denmark, where I will at least not be made to feel like a criminal for wanting to take care of my health and that of my unborn fetus.
What is wrong with us?