When reality hits state health care

[AutumnMist]

You have all heard/read the stories I am sure. The long bureaucratic paperwork that needs to be filled out, the somewhat indifferent case workers who handle your issue while you sit and sweat for an answer. It seems simple on a very simple level when you view it through eyes that may or may not seem like you have been there yourself. Does it matter? Yes, and let me tell you why.

We right now due to George Bush will have to wait for up to two years to get a claim approved or rejected because of laws passed by the Republican party for SSDI and SSI. Imagine waiting two years while you or a loved one is sick or in need of health care. No money and no way out. If you are really ill you could die in the process during the bickering that takes place for a one up in political warfare. No child left behind? Try no person left behind and then we can talk.

Change happens when enough people have a united voice. One voice. Should we all agree? No, absolutely not. I think it would be against everything we stand for to say such a thing. But I do think that we need to remember what we are fighting for and how we became the voices that speak on this board before we tear each other down. We need each other. We need to support each other in a way that makes change happen. Much like the process of finding SSDI or MediCal. If one person is a weak link we are all weak in the process of finding change. We have to in this election get our heads together and vote for change from the rule that has now become the numb and very disjointed party that are Republicans. By attacking each other we are only ripping apart our own threads of history in the Democratic party in the process.

Whatever your voice is sing it to the highest of mountains and remember that regardless of who you may support...we will all go down together in our loss if we let the "others" win. We are so much better and so much stronger then that.

[The Straight Story]

1. If I can't kick the wife's thread, whose can I kick?

:) :hug:

[mike_c]

2. dude, I just kick the dog....

Oh wait, you said her thread.... :hi:

[The Straight Story]

3. I kicked the dog earlier, he is a mini dachshund and went about 20 yards

:)

[Steven_S]

4. I'd like to see that change....

The system should work for everyone the way it worked for me.

After the ALS diagnosis I waited five months before filing for anything. This was the "spend-down" period. I had my Medicare card in my hand in five weeks and a Medicaid card in 7 weeks. They even back-dated my disability 5 months to the actual date that I couldn't work anymore. The automatic deposits started the following month.

The case worker at the SS office even followed up with a phone call to see how I was doing and to remind me to file SS for my 12 year old son.

My point is that you shouldn't have to have a terminal illness like ALS to get help right away. The system could work for more people if they wanted it to.

[area51]

5. k&r

Goddamit, healthcare for everyone in the U.S.! I have a friend on disability; if his family hadn't taken him in & got a lawyer to speed up the process for getting disability, he'd be dead now. This -- and single-payer -- is the real definition of pro-life.

[Wiley50]

6. It took 3 1/2 years with a lawyer to get my SSI

It should have been SSDI but somehow the date on my original claim became illegible between the time I filed it and the time my case was finally approved by a judge, who when he finally got my folder didn't see any need to even hold a hearing about it.

In TN (and in all states) it is a state agency that makes disability determinations, not Social Security.

The overlord of my state agency was quoted a few years back saying almost verbatim, " It's actually a good thing that it takes so long to process a claim because many of the claimants will either find a way to get a job or they will die before the govt has to begin paying the claim" Ex-workers have told of raises and promotions being partially based on how many cases a worker successfully denies.

When my case was denied it's second appeal (after over 2 years) neither I or my attorney was notified until the appeal period had run out. (I found out when I called SS toll free # in frustration)

In TN, if you haven't been ruled disabled, you get no help, money or medical in the meantime. We used to have a model healthcare for all program called Tenncare, but two terms of a repuke gov and then a as good as repuke dem gov have gutted it.

You are in CA. I've heard things are better there along these lines

Best wishes

[fed-up]

7. where is the safety net for those that wait and wait for a decision???

The stress caused by chronic, debilitating health problems is multiplied a 1,000 times by the stress and resulting additional health problems caused by financial distress. The anxiety and despair caused by unpaid stacks of bills does NOT help those with mental health issues..

It is a vicious cycle, designed I now believe, to hasten the death of many no longer capable of full-time employment.

Someone posted something in a thread a few months back along the lines of-if you are broken, you are garbage and thrown to the wolves.

IF ever there was a time for single payer, universal health care, the time is NOW!