This post is about my personal experience with the health care nightmare in our country, and how it changed from being a ‘pressing issue’ to deeply personal. Follow me after the jump.........
"What about those that have health care?" This was a line from the radio announcer this morning. On the way to work this morning, the two radio show hosts were talking about the health care push by Democratic candidates. Mind you, this show is quite conservative, so the only reason I tune in is for the road reports on the way to work. One of the hosts is far more moderate, commenting that he supported the current initiative to make sure every person in this country was covered. The other, older commentator said "...we always hear about the supposed 45 million without coverage. How about those that have health care? Besides...I have heard that there are a lot of those people that don’t want health insurance." I damn near drove off the road during my rant.
I want to share a story about my family. About 5 years ago, I was lucky enough to get a 2nd chance at love. I found and married my ‘best friend’. She had 2 lovely daughters, 21 and 23. The younger daughter was soon after married.
Amanda and Keith lived in an apartment, but soon purchased a very small home in Gulfport, MS in 2003. Keith is an optics technician, working for a company that produces specialized optics on contract for the government. Amanda worked for a real estate broker. About 1 year later, they decided to start their family. Seth was born in March 2005.
In Sept. Amanda and Keith lost their home and their possessions in Katrina. My wife and I drove from KC to Gulfport the Thursday after the hurricane to rescue Amanda and the baby, and to deliver as many supplies as we could carry for Keith (stayed behind). Keith and Amanda decided to move to Omaha with us, but soon returned to the Gulf Coast, which had always been home to them. Keith’s company desperately needed his talent as an optics grinder, and offered him good incentive to return. Upon his return, he would be making $14.00+/hr.
They received an insurance settlement for the loss of their home, but still had suffered quite an economic loss. Mind you, these kids are 22 – 23 years old, but had enough money saved to sustain their losses, and pay for their moves with NO outside help. Once back in MS, they rented for a time, then purchased a small home.
Once Keith returned to his job, he found that things had indeed changed. Prior to leaving MS, Keith had health insurance through his company. He didn’t include Amanda on his health insurance policy, as it would have cost him an additional $1,200/month!!!!! (Remember, he was making about $13.00/hr at the time.) Amanda had coverage through her job prior to the baby and hurricane. Once back, Keith found out that their company no longer offered any coverage for family members. Health coverage was limited to employees only.
About a year ago, they decided they wanted to have one more child. Amanda was working at the time, but her employer offered no coverage at all.
Being pragmatic, Amanda began checking with private insurers for coverage for herself and Seth. Costs ranged from $900/mo to $2,200/mo. Needless to say, even their combined incomes could not sustain that cost. I guess they fall into the category "...don’t want health care."
The last resort was for her to quit her job, dropping their family income low enough that she could qualify for Health Wave.
I realize this was quite a long story.....and I appreciate your patience if you have made it this far.
Keith and Amanda should become the poster children for the initiative for universal health care.
These 2 young adults have both worked hard and been very financially responsible. They have not asked for, nor received any financial support from their families. They are dedicated savers, living a planned and frugal life well within their means. They suffered a major loss/setback, but rebounded immediately to return to the job market, purchase a small home, and get on with life.
It is a national shame that they have had to resort to what our RRW ‘friends’ would call ‘working the system’ to navigate life. That is a damn shame. What message does that send to them and others just like them......work hard, be responsible, pay your taxes, save, sacrifice......and you’re screwed if you need medical care? Thank-you-very-much........
For me, and for my family, the cause of ‘health care for all’ is our battle cry in 2008.