This Is Why We Need Obamacare

[TomCADem]

The MSM plays stories of folks with catastrophic care coverage complaining about how they "lost their coverage," but sometimes you need more than catastrophic care. Sometimes, you need to go in and check something out that you think is just an irritation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/opinion/sunday/kristof-this-is-why-we-need-obamacare.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

Streeter had health insurance for decades, but beginning in 2008 his employer no longer offered it as an option. He says he tried to buy individual health insurance but, as a lifelong smoker in his late 40s, couldn’t find anything affordable — so he took a terrible chance and did without.

At the beginning of this year, Streeter began to notice blood in his bowel movements and discomfort in his rectum. Because he didn’t have health insurance, he put off going to the doctor and reassured himself it was just irritation from sitting too many hours.

“I thought it was driving a truck and being on your keister all day,” he told me. Finally, the pain became excruciating, and he went to a cut-rate clinic where a doctor, without examining him, suggested it might be hemorrhoids.

By September, Streeter couldn’t stand the pain any longer. He went to another doctor, who suggested a colonoscopy. The cheapest provider he could find was Dr. J. Scott Gibson, a softhearted gastroenterologist who told him that if he didn’t have insurance he would do it for $300 down and $300 more whenever he had the money.

[frazzled]

1. And what the column doesn't mention: now colonoscopies are 100% covered

For everybody. No copays, no deductibles. That $2000+ exam that could save your life is, yes, free under the Affordable Care Act.

[Skittles]

2. Dr. Gibson knows the score

“Website problems are a nuisance,” Dr. Gibson said. “Life and death is when you need care and can’t afford to get it.”

[Stuart G]

3. K and R..thanks for posting. All who are opposed to ACA should read this..nt