You know, it's not just the extreme horror stories that illustrate the health care crisis

[skygazer]

It's also the everyday impossible decisions our healthcare system forces us into.

Example - I have health insurance through my job. For which I'm thankful because I could never get covered otherwise. Too many "pre-existing conditions" plus I couldn't afford it.

But I'm still faced with decisions I shouldn't have to make. Four years ago, I elected to have major surgery on my neck. I had a herniated disc that wasn't getting any better and had a cervical fusion. Thing is, I wasn't really at the point where I absolutely had to have the surgery - I chose to have it because my union contract was going to be re-negotiated and I knew we were going to lose some of our health benefits. If I waited, I would have to pay more out of pocket and might not be able to afford it. So I chose to have surgery before I really needed to in order to stave off that possibility.

That's not really how our health decisions should be made.

Now our plan is changing again. I have the option of changing from the plan I've had all along to another plan (Kaiser) with no deductible and better coverage. I'm ready to do it except I'm under the care of a specialist for my chronic arthritis and I don't want to have to see another one. He's very good and I'm happy with my care. But because I can't afford what I have now, I may have to give him up.

Opponents of healthcare reform yell about how reform somehow "comes between" them and their doctor, how it takes away their "freedom of choice", how it inserts a government agency into their health decisions.

Well, the present system has done all that to me (except instead of a government agency, it's an insurance company), plus cost me a whole lot of money I don't have. And the crazy thing is, I still have to feel grateful that I have what I do.

What a ridiculous system.

[bluethruandthru]

1. Just the fact that anyone is opposed to healthcare reform

is astounding! The rest of the world thinks we're crazy for trying desperately to hold onto our system that costs a fortune, provides substandard care, bankrupts thousands (with coverage) every year and delays or denies essential treatment for millions. Yet, America...land of the idiots...believes people who are in bed with the insurance companies who tell them reform is "socialist" booga, booga, booga!!

[skygazer]

2. I'm now on hold with my health care provider

An oxymoron if I've ever heard one. I have before me a bill for $714.85 for an ER visit for my husband who had to get 11 stitches (4 internal, 7 external) when a knife slipped out of the dish drainer and cut his foot.

Insurance paid just over half - I'm wondering why they didn't pay more (also wondering why it costs $2289.73 to stitch a foot) and how the hell I'm supposed to come up with over $700. :banghead:

[Chulanowa]

3. it cost that much because it was an ER visit

You're supposed to go in front, fill out your paperwork, and quietly pump blood all over the floor while waiting for someone to see you.

When I went in for a broken arm (Not an ER, regular appointment) some dude who'd nearly cut off his own thumb with a chainsaw came in. They tried to make him do his own paperwork. I was glad all I was there for was an X-ray and an appointment to a different hospital.

[skygazer]

4. It was my deductible

I actually do get ER coverage but since I have a $900 deductible, and there was still over $500 left on it, that and the 15% that I already have to cover as a co-pay added up to this bill. Because my employer, a multi-billion dollar company might have to give up the CEO's corporate jet or cut his compensation in such a way that he couldn't afford to keep all his various homes if they actually paid for my insurance in full.

But I'm grateful I have any coverage at all.