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CoffeeCat

(24,411 posts)
Thu Oct 24, 2013, 05:32 PM Oct 2013

This is the sick system Republicans are fighting like dogs to maintain

I will never understand how Republicans get away with preventing meaningful healthcare reform, when this country is littered with an untold number who can provide horror stories

Stories about people who die in this country, because they lack health insurance and do not have access to good doctors and quality treatment. Stories about people who are denied coverage if they've had cancer or diabetes, which leaves them desperate and without basic access to the system. Stories about people who go bankrupt, even if they have good health insurance--because the costs of having a heart attack or sustaining injuries in a car accident are exorbitant.

Today, I experienced my own little slice of disgust at this system. My little anecdote is definitely not a worst-case scenario. However, my experience is a testament to how ridiculous, unfair and sick our healthcare system is--from the biggest, most-horrific stories to the tiny slices of unfairness or absurdity that infect the health-insurance industry.

I called Blue Cross today, to ask them how much a mammogram would cost. We have new insurance through my husband's job and I was curious. I was told that if I got the mammogram and the scan came back clear--there would be no charge. I was then told that if I got the mammogram and that if something abnormal was found and it lead to a diagnosis, then I would be charged for the mammogram in full--up to our deductible, which is $1,000. After the $1,000 cost, I would be charged 20 percent of the remaining cost of the mammogram.

So, if I'm cancer free--my mammogram costs nothing. If abnormalities are found that lead to a cancer diagnosis, then I am charged $1,000 plus 20 percent of the cost that exceeds $1,000.

So, f you're healthy--you're golden. However, if you get cancer--not only are you devastated with that news--it appears that they immediately start gouging penalizing you for getting cancer.

I just find this so wrong--while Republicans work tirelessly to convince others that Obamacare will destroy this country. And the minions listening to talk radio, are happy to fight against their own interests and carry lies and exaggerations about Obamacare, for the corporatists and elites in the Republican party. These useful idiots are digging their own graves. When will they realize this?

Our healthcare system is infuriating, but even more infuriating are the Republicans who cling to this convoluted, heartless, nonsensical, prehistoric way of doing things.

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This is the sick system Republicans are fighting like dogs to maintain (Original Post) CoffeeCat Oct 2013 OP
Not only is it discriminating between healthy people and Cleita Oct 2013 #1
It's not just Rs, but some like those we see here on DU Skidmore Oct 2013 #2
The good news is that cancer research is making some great progress johnd83 Oct 2013 #3
Mine cost $400 last month Ruby the Liberal Oct 2013 #4
My daughter had Worried senior Oct 2013 #5

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
1. Not only is it discriminating between healthy people and
Thu Oct 24, 2013, 05:38 PM
Oct 2013

sick people, but it's anti-women as well. I wonder if they have the same policy about colonoscopies?



Skidmore

(37,364 posts)
2. It's not just Rs, but some like those we see here on DU
Thu Oct 24, 2013, 05:44 PM
Oct 2013

who fight this every step of the way. They complain rather than stepping into the breach to shore up the ACA or working to make it better. I view ACA as an important step forward. The more people throwing wrenches into the implentation emsures that millions will remain without options for healthcare. I have stopped responding to most thread on this issue, but I am a stong supporter of this move forward. It has opened up options for many, including myself, that didn't exist before.

johnd83

(593 posts)
3. The good news is that cancer research is making some great progress
Thu Oct 24, 2013, 06:06 PM
Oct 2013

Now if we could just stop cutting funding/ shutting down the government. I am hoping that in 10-20 years we will have the immune modulation medicine to the point that cancer is just a series of pills for most cases.

Ruby the Liberal

(26,219 posts)
4. Mine cost $400 last month
Thu Oct 24, 2013, 07:39 PM
Oct 2013

Which was the amount of my deductible. (My insurance started in August)

Apparently, because the Doc suspected a lump, I couldn't get a free prevention mammo - it had to be a diagnostic mammo with an additional ultrasound. No free mammos if there is even a suspicion that there could be a lump.

Ticked me off.

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