The rest of my life: Heath care and social safety net

[AbbyR]

I have been watching my husband suffer for several years with various ailments, and after our trip to the Social Security office yesterday, I promised myself that I will dedicate the rest of my life to bringing universal health care and some kind of safety net to this country.

For the past three years, we have been trying to get some sort of diagnosis for my husband, age 65 (in May). They have finally decided that he has PLS (first cousin to ALS) and emphysema (He quit smoking many years ago.) He has gone from about 165 pounds to 100 pounds, can hardly walk at all, is terribly weak and and has trouble breathing. His doctors don't expect him to live more than a year. But he is still struggling to go to work every day.

I am the editor and a writer for a small newspaper and make very little, even with a master's degree. There are no jobs in Southeast Arkansas that I can find that will pay me more. He wanted to retire from his job as a chemist, but even with a master's degree, he can't afford to do so. He could easily get on disability if he would quit work long enough to qualify, but we would lose the house and be out on the street if he did. Even if we could make it, putting him on Cobra or on my insurance would cost more than our house payment - thus, he can't retire, we can't afford for him to stop work long enough to qualify for disability, and he will very probably die on the job. We would never be able to afford all of his medications.

As for work, they are allowing him, since all his vacation time and sick leave are gone, to go on family and medical leave when he absolutely has to stay at home.

We cared for my ill mother for years before her death, and put three children through college, and thus, have no savings. The kids were (heaven help us) music majors, and don't make enough yet to help us.

So here I am, watching my husband die, after we have both worked all our lives. The safety net isn't there.

I am going to write to Hillary and every politician I know who has ever expressed an interest in universal health care to see what I can to to help with the cause. I am 55 now, and I'm convinced that's why I'm still alive. I'm supposed to work for this, and I can promise you, I will.

I'm not asking for financial help, but if anyone knows anyone who is working for universal health care, I'd love to know. If they need a writer, I'm ready to help.

[Warpy]

1. This country SUCKS if you're sick, or just female or over 50 or

of color or gay or anything that isn't a 30-45 year old registered Repug churchgoing white male.

Thank you, GOP and DLC. You've brought us a living hell of a country.

[MadMaddie]

2. AbbyR I am in support of Universal Healthcare...

and I support you in your efforts of Universal Healthcare and social safety nets.

I am sorry that you and your husband are sufferring in America like this. Medicaid is a debacle now...and this country has become comprised of the haves and have nots.....

We will all work together to change that and to protect our citizens....

[WarNoMore]

3. I'm so sorry for what you are going thru'.

The state legislature of Mass is trying to come to terms on the passage of a uiversal health care package.

[CAG]

4. I wish you grace and comfort.

Every middle class repub is just one diagnosis away from your dilemma. If they only knew...If they only cared....

[shrike]

5. You will probably hate this suggestion

But have you thought about moving south -- to one of the Latin American countries?

If your husband is 65 then he qualifies for social security. Panama and Costa Rica would let you in, depending on the amount of his social security check.

Now, given your husband's medical history it will be more difficult to buy into an insurance program than for the average person (so I am told). But I am also told that medical services are affordable enough in these countries, particularly medication, that your husband would at least be able to keep himself comfortable. And, if you live simply, you could probably make it.

Hopefully, if I am all wet, an expat on this board will set me straight. But I have been researching this topic a lot, for this is MY safety net. I have decent insurance and income at this point, but once I get older, and if things haven't changed in this country, it'll be "Hi Ho, Hi Ho; to the Latin climes I go."

But if you want to stay and work for change in this country, then God bless you. You have my undying respect.

[Warpy]

6. you're not all wet and I'm considering a move in the next year

for exactly the same reason: affordable health care. I'm considering (in order) Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica. I prefer Mexico because I'd rather head to mountains than to coast. The other two may be more hospitable to an American expat.

[shrike]

8. Mexico seems to be pretty hospitable

There are a few expats on this board and they seem to like it quite well. Depends on where you live; stay away from the border towns; everybody should. Here on DU I've read great things about Guanjuato (sp?), which is an area with a lot of colonial towns -- AND mountains.
Panama is being pushed as the new hotspot for expats, but Costa Rica appeals to me. It has mountains, too. I'm trying to talk the husband into a vacation there (costa rica) to check it out.
FYI, we visited Guadalajara for a few days and loved it. The people are hardworking and friendly, and they really seem to appreciate it if you even TRY to speak Spanish. Interesting city; reminded me of Europe. There's a university there. I'd be willing to give it a closer look.
I seem to remember you post in the A&A group, so be forewarned; Mexico is a devout country, much more so than here. But I saw no outward signs of religiousity, and you did decline to practice any religion I doubt anyone would notice.
Unfortunately, unless things change here in this country, moving south is indeed my retirement plan.

[area51]

7. healthcare

I'm so sorry this has happened to you & your husband. It's criminal that for the amount of tax money that we pay, we don't have universal healthcare in this country. :mad:

[Tracer]

9. I'm very sorry your husband is ill, but ...

... at age 65 he is eligible for Medicare and also could retire and take Social Security beneifts (even if he would lose a small percentage for retiring a little early).

What am I missing?

[AbbyR]

10. He won't be 65 until May

He could take lower benefits now, but isn't eligible for Medicare until May. We can't afford insurance until then, and I'm very much afraid he won't live until May if he has to keep on working. Cobra or putting him on my insurance at work would cost us more than our house payment.

The lower benefit is about $200 per month less, which would be a tight squeeze, but we could do it. It's the insurance that takes care of his medications and doctors visits that we couldn't handle. He's on eight medications on a daily basis, and I shudder to think what we would be paying were it not for insurance.

I have looked at it about every way I can, as I really want him to retire, and if anyone can figure this out, I'd love to know what else I can do.

Thanks.