My son has made the error of being 12 years old and having a minor but rather long-enduring breathing problem that flares up from time to time. He also made the error of not having been born rich. He is fortunate however that so long as his father's business (NOT eligible for a $1 trillion bail-out) can stagger along, he is covered by health insurance (to the tune of $14,000 per year for the family.
Now, during a recent episode of the problem his physician prescribes medication. I then hear from his mother that the $14,000 / year insurance policy won't pay for the medication unless they GIVE THEIR GOD DAMN APPROVAL IN ADVANCE, and that will TAKE FOUR FREAKIN' DAYS. Otherwise, we need to fork over $170 and skip asking them for the money.
Now, the boy is in no particular danger now, so I don't want to exaggerate the situation. And I suppose I could scrap up $170 if I really had to. But there are many who can't, and this just another illustration of how these insurance company pirates operate. Naturally, they're gambling that the boy will get better without the medication, but, say, isn't that the DOCTOR'S FREAKIN' DECISION?
I am sick of these wingnut shitheads talking about "not wanting the government to stand between you and your doctor", a complaint which does not seem to apply to Medicare or any of the goodies that Congress gets.