$1000 a month

[Horse with no Name]

Is what I spend on healthcare.
This includes my premiums, office copays, prescription copays, and my healthcare spending account deductions.
That is more than my house payment.
That is more than my grocery bill.
It is more than the sum total of my utilities.

I am thankful because I have it, BUT I know MANY jobs don't even pay $1000 a month.
I know that many do without.

We have to do better.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Zowie. God bless you--that's awful. I hope to GOD we get a Dem in the WH--

I'll take a Claymation figure if it offers universal health care.

[Horse with no Name]

2. Today was payday

Every payday when I have to look at the big chunk of money that I never see always puts me in this mood.:mad:

[Posteritatis]

13. I'll take a Claymation figure 'cause it'd be a step up no matter what. (nt)

[Donnachaidh]

3. is that family coverage or single?

That's a huge amount no matter how you slice it.

[Horse with no Name]

4. Family.

Our company quit paying a CONSIDERABLE portion of our benefits this year. Costs went up. Especially prescription coverage. It isn't just a $10/$20 copay, it is dependent on the cost of the drug. I have paid over $100 copay for one drug before.

[Donnachaidh]

7. I think ours is half of yours

But I would really have to sit down and factor in co-pays and the like. We have to get special meds for my son's bleeding disorder and our co-pay on that would be $2,000 or so. On *1* prescription. But we get help from a local organization that helps these kids, thank god. I don't know WHAT I'd be doing without them.

[truedelphi]

5. Husband and me inthe same boat - finally gave up on it

We now hope one of us gets a job that pays benefits

[JanusAscending]

6. Count your BLESSINGS !!

Try living on on $1200 a month like I have to, and I consider myself fortunate to have that, as I can no longer work. See? You can always find someone worse off than you. You're right, we do have to do better in this country. It's getting to be a matter of life or death. (or choosing to eat instead of buying meds)

[TahitiNut]

8. Medical Care has been the largest personal expenditure for a decade, now.

It exceeds housing, food, and clothing ... #1. And. It's. Going. Up.

[Horse with no Name]

9. If we had a national health plan

It is a $12k a year raise for me.:(
The problem is, the cost is going up and the actual benefits are going down.:(

[Monk06]

10. I pay $35.00 per month single person rate unsubsidized because

I earn more than $20,000 per year.

At $20,000 per year I would get a 20%
subsidy on my premium rate which would
then be $27.00 per month. The subsidy
schedule goes down to 100% at $10,000
per year.

What does that mean? In Canada the government
pays 100% of health care costs for 80% of
McDonald's employees.

And you know what? We're OK with that because
small business owners do not have to provide
health care to their employees. The just have to
deduct the premiums for their employees' paychecks.

This enables the small business owner to concentrate
on maximizing profit and gives them the extra
capital to expand and hire more employees.

You won't find any Canadian business owner complaining
about Canada's 'socialist' health care system
more workers.

BTW Horse with no Name is that your daughter in your
avatar, because she is a number 10 on the cute-o-meter!!

[thecrow]

12. Looking for a Canadian husband.....

I wish :)

My job pays my health care but within 10 years I retire and then it will be all on me. I think I will die about then, because I cannot afford it. I have no pension, just a paltry IRA and a few investments that if used would carry me through oh, maybe three years if I don't eat. Social security will not be able to support me.
Maybe I'll go.... camping?

[Monk06]

14. Check this out. You can apply for Landed Immigrant Status in Canada....

Once granted LIS, after twelve months permanent residence
in Canada you qualify for full medical benefits.

Here's the FAQ for BC

http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/premium.html

[thecrow]

15. Is there anything for Nova Scotians?

I have family there...

Thank you for your information on BC!
I might as well try to get LI status, but being in my later 50's, it will be hard, won't it?

[Monk06]

17. NS should be similar to BC in terms of NIS. As far as I know LI status requires you to prove

that you won't require Social Assistance (welfare)
for two to five years depending on the province.

This means a sponsorship from a relative or employer who
will be financially responsible should you require
assistance.

[hfojvt]

21. Plus, just admit it

Outside of south BC, Canadians are paying $1000 a month for heat, and that's for 8 months of the year. :scared:

[Vinca]

19. We've been investigating this, too, since my husband has duel

citizenship. One thing I found interesting is that if we emigrate I (the non Canadian) would need to buy health insurance for a few months, but the rates are a fraction of what they are in the U.S. If you take the profit out of health care, it's affordable.

[Catherine Vincent]

11. God, that is depressing!

:hug:

[emilyg]

16. My premiums just went up

Good ole Blue Cross.

[monmouth]

18. We'd better take good care of ourselves...com

[truedelphi]

20. In SICKO, it is stted that the number one reason for facing bankruptcy

Is because of the expense of medical treatments.

Medical treatments can easily strip a person and their family of every cent that they make.

And of course, with you p
Insurance companies and the banks want it the way it is.

[Omphaloskepsis]

22. I lost my healthcare... Now I go to the Emergency Room when something pops up.

My doctor wants $250 in cash to see me. No treatment, just to see me, treatment is extra. My credit is already fucked so I go to the ER when I need to see a doctor. They send me a bill for a $700 but I won't ever pay.