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madamesilverspurs

(15,782 posts)
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:14 AM Apr 2013

Babies, then and now

Thirty-one years ago I cradled my nephew, scant minutes after his arrival in this world. His sweet presence provided stunning contrast to the crassness of his dad's employer, who chose to fire an excellent employee to avoid having the insurance cover a child with disabilities. My brother wound up having to go back into the military, it was the only way to get coverage for his child.

More recently I got to welcome the newest member of a young friend's family. As I held that baby and gazed at her sleeping face, I couldn't help but be profoundly thankful that her parents wouldn't have to be tortured by insurance companies' refusal to cover her pre-existing conditions. That's huge, and I'll bet my entire Social Security check that you can't prove me wrong.

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Babies, then and now (Original Post) madamesilverspurs Apr 2013 OP
I don't think you are wrong. enlightenment Apr 2013 #1
My father paid his bill in cash at the hospital when I was born. Robb Apr 2013 #2

enlightenment

(8,830 posts)
1. I don't think you are wrong.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:30 AM
Apr 2013

Although your example is kind of apples and oranges. Your brother was let go so the employer wouldn't have to deal with rate hikes in the company insurance - nothing in there about the insurance company refusing to cover the child.

Your young friends have the ability to pay for the more expensive coverage that insurance companies must now offer (and it is more expensive) - which is wonderful and I'm glad that they can get the coverage and can afford to pay for it. I wish them well and great happiness in their new addition.

It's a big change for some, but a very small change overall, and I will be thrilled to live long enough to see the day when we have a system of health "care" coverage instead of health "insurance".

Robb

(39,665 posts)
2. My father paid his bill in cash at the hospital when I was born.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 10:32 AM
Apr 2013

We laughed, because it was the same number as the insurance co-pay we shelled out for my daughter.

The world changes. Sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

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