I've been without adequate health insurance since May 2006

[Droopy]

I quit a job that I'd been working at for 6 years in May 2006. They had decent health insurance, but I had to take a pay cut that was putting further and further into debt. I tried to make things work there and I hung on for a year after taking the pay cut, but it turned out to be a year too long.

Long story short, it took me until January of this year to find decent employment. The problem with the new job was that I had to work for them through a temp service until August before they would hire me on as a permanent employee. On 11/20/07 I will finally have good insurance again.

I have a severe psychiatric disorder that requires some expensive medication. From 5/06 to 1/07 I had to pay the full cost of the medication. That is around $400 a month. When I took the good job I got a little bit of health insurance from the temp service that covered $50 a month of my prescriptions. So from 1/07 until now I've been paying $350 a month for the prescriptions. The medication is not elective. I have to have it or else I end up in the hospital having conversations with people that no one else can see. A week on a psych ward costs $10,000, and an extended period without my medication might cost me my life.

I guess I've actually been lucky. I have the means to pay for my prescriptions and doctor's visits. Many people who don't have health insurance aren't as fortunate. I don't think you should have to have a good job to have good health insurance.

[Wapsie B]

1. No you shouldn't have to have a good job to have good health insurance.

It never ceases to amaze me how this cock-eyed system we have here has been sold lock stock and barrel to the American people.
Seems we'd rather gut the mental healthcare system in this country. $$$ that were going to treat people can now be used to throw them in prison. Better use of tax $$$ don't you know? :sarcasm:


Now we can all watch in horror as a gunman goes wild on a college campus. Another rich legacy of the Reagan years.

[I Have A Dream]

2. I absolutely agree with you, Droopy. Why do we as a society think that health care is...

optional? To me, it's a basic human right. This more than anything else makes me lean towards socialism. I myself am lucky to have wonderful insurance but that doesn't change the fact that if there are others who don't, it's just not right. there's something wrong.

I'm really happy that you'll soon have coverage through your employer. Maybe someday we'll see the US reverse its attitude about this issue.

[Droopy]

3. Yes

The Democratic candidates who have a shot at the presidency do have a little bit of a plan to help people without insurance. I think it goes something like this. They will make available the same health coverage that members of Congress have to the general public. I think that's a step in the right direction, but I see anything short of full, universal coverage for every American as a failure. What about all those people who can't afford even a modest health insurance premium? And then there are other associated costs because no Insurance company offers 100% coverage.

[Roon]

4. I am on medicare/medicade QMB

and on top of my other meds, I take 4 different psyce meds. I thank God that I can get them because I would be a wreck without it. I can see where you are coming from.

[Droopy]

5. There was a time when I considered disability

But after I got the right meds and they started working for me I decided not to go for it. It comforts me to know that that option is out there, though, just in case I ever need it. It would comfort me a lot more if we had single payer, universal health care. Do you know that we have a mental health forum here? Me and a few other DUers started it a couple of years ago and it has taken off pretty good. Most people use it to ask questions or talk about their problems, but articles and other useful information gets posted there from time to time as well. Check it out if you haven't already.

[Roon]

7. Oh! I didn't know about the mental health forum

Thanks for telling me! :-)

[Droopy]

9. Yeah, it's under "Groups." Here's a link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=276

[Roon]

10. I posted

:-)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. My dear Droopy!

I am horrified at what you've had to go through...

I am glad that you've been able to keep getting your meds, though...

Even though the price has been steep...

Everything you've said here is an excellent argument for single payer health insurance!

Glad you're getting good insurance...It's about time!


:hug:

[Droopy]

8. Thanks, Peggy

You're damn right it's about time! :) I think that temp to hire stuff is a rip-off. They do it to employ you as long as possible without having to pay any benefits. Their excuse is that it gives them time to screen people. I'll tell you what, if you're a trucking company and a guy with 10 years experience and a million safe miles doesn't give you a boner then I don't know what will. Most companies would beg me to come work for them. The problem is that, on my end, trucking companies where you get home every day plus the weekends off plus get good pay aren't that common. If they were I would have been there years ago.