When I received Health care coverage that was through SSI from the US Government, I had free doctor visits, any kind of care I needed did NOT come out of pocket. Prescription medications were free of charge with no co-pay. It didn’t matter which pharmacy I chose to get them filled.
Late 2002 or early 2003, they decided to switch to a private health care carrier. Many things began to change. Doctors visits were free of charge – yet only certain procedures would be done for free. Only certain prescription medications the private carrier was willing to pay for, or else you would have to pay a portion or all of the cost.
By the end of 2003, they ended my health coverage because SSI felt that I was no longer considered disabled.
In 2006, I worked for a major retailer and within three months, I received my health and dental insurance plan, which I thought was good until I realized there were many limitations:
Doctor and dental visits for preventive care were free. Many medical and dental procedures, they would only be willing to pay roughly two-thirds of the cost of some procedures, while I had to pay the rest out of pocket. There were a number of procedures that the insurance company was not willing to pay for, and had to pay for them fully out of pocket. The same thing applied for my prescription drugs – I had to pay roughly one-third of the costs. (e.g. a 30-day supply of allergy medicine would cost $60 w/o insurance, and $25 with insurance.)
When I needed to go to emergency room, I had to sign a form, show my health insurance card, and even had to pay some of the money up front!
This was on top of the $30 or so every week that came out of my paycheck for this insurance coverage. I paid this for the remainder of the two years I was with this company.
I’ve seen and read stories on blogs and movies (i.e. Michael Moore’s Sicko) from people who have friends or relatives die or are still in poor health because their insurance company denied them the care they need.
It often makes me wonder where the so-called "pro-life" ministers, politicians and others are, when it comes to the health of the many people that are already living on this earth. I realized how narrow, short-sighted, and superficial their stance on "pro-life" is. "Pro-life", to them, only seems to be centered on abortion. It seems like after the baby is born, and maybe several years thereafter, all bets are off.
A universal health care plan (similar to HR 676 - the single-payer plan) covers all necessary procedures – physical, dental, and mental health.
The United States is the only industrialized nation NOT to have a free universal health care plan. Many nations, including Canada, United Kingdom, and France believe that it is moral and fair that every person should be able to have the best of health care around.
No person in one of the world’s wealthiest nations should have to worry about how they are going to pay for the health care they need. No person should ever worry about how they are going to afford the medications they need to stay in good health.
I - along with most Americans - strongly believe that it is moral and ethical that every person here in the United States should also have the best of health care when people need it. Being in great health should NEVER be a privilege, but instead an entitlement. I believe that a healthy nation is a strong and productive nation.
I’m more than certain that a number of people come to work sick, or in pain, or both. This is often not an option for many people in the US. When a person comes to work in that condition, they are not going to work as productively or efficiently – naturally because their body cannot function in its full capacity. They cannot think as clearly, or move as quickly as a result. On the other hand, when a person comes to work healthy, they are often feeling good about coming to work, and are willing to give their 100% in their job. They can think clearly and move quickly because they are not worried about being sick or in pain.
I stand firmly for the HR 676, single-payer plan. It will provide the necessary health care needed for every American citizen – regardless of income or background.
I understand that many people in the US do not want Single-payer health care. It’s mainly because they either fear something totally government-run or because they are happy with the health insurance they have. I still think those people should still be able to receive the single-payer health care plan. It is the ONLY good option out there. Then they will understand that some things that are government-operated are not so bad after all. Most importantly, they will definitely realize how much and how long they have been fleeced by a deceitful health insurance industry, whose only interest is to make profits.