So, I turn on CNN this morning. The talk of the hour is the details of this "Reform" plan. Initially, I'm glad to hear about it. I have a new lump in my neck that I need to see my doctor about, even though I can't afford it, but will need to do it.
What the fuck is this shit? This "Health" bill is supposed to be touted as "reform"? I get a mandate that I need to purchase private junk insurance, wherein I am obligated to cover 35% of the actual cost of services, and they "cover" the remaining?
THIS is what the duly elected "Representatives", whom we've all donated money to, and worked so hard to elect - have decided to shovel over? The same people who screwed up the stimulus plan, the same people who have amnesia about the promises that got them elected? THIS is what they give us?
Who in their right mind would think this could possibly constitute reform? 35% of costs is a pretty freaking huge number if you ask me - especially considering the costs for procedures. They seriously think that this will improve the situation with medical bankruptcies?
My situation is particularly screwed up: I am on COBRA for my insurance, currently, covered by Aetna. I have been covered since June (though they backdated it to April - and made me pay for it!). I have $20 co-pays to see the doctor, $10 co-pays on pharmacy drugs, etc etc... pretty standard, I guess. Even so, I have trouble making up my co-pays.
Living in the San Francisco area is expensive. I have no job, haven't even been called back regarding a job since June. I am uninsurable with pre-existing conditions up the wazoo. (Side note, my company went under in April, declared Chap 7 bankruptcy. I wasn't given my PTO time, final paycheck, or any of my expenses - this alone has cost me about $7000!)
This year, before my company went under (and screwed all the employees in the process), I took down about $18k after taxes. I have $1900 in the bank, and another $4000 in an IRA that I have vowed not to touch unless it is a genuine emergency. I cannot afford my co-pays! Because of the abysmally lacking public transit in the South Bay, I drive a car. I cannot afford a more efficient or cheaper car, because I am unemployed. The albatross parked outside costs me about $800 a month to operate. Right there, that's half of my current monthly income with unemployment insurance. That doesn't factor in food, telecommunications, rent - the other real essentials. By the time my essentials are covered - I am running a deficit of maybe $150 a month.
When I look at my bank account, all I see is red.
And I am expected now, to buy insurance? On top of everything else?
This is untenable, unsustainable, and will not provide any positive impact (except to private insurer's profit margins).
I have a message for any democratic operative who may be reading this: During the last cycle, I personally donated around $1400 to the DCCC, DSCC, the Obama campaign, and the DNC. If they ever call asking for money, ever again, the answer is a simple no. I did my part to deliver the majority they needed to effect real change. Change I could believe in!
Well... this isn't change I can believe in. It's more of the same. It's simply preservation of the status quo. They were delivered the chance to fundamentally fix everything. It's looking at this point in time that they've blown that chance.
They are out of chances. I am done with them. A plague on Baucus and his ilk. Good riddance.