GOP killing the poor- PA State supported health premiums rise 246% !!!

[old mark]

I got my monthly statement from my PA state supported health insurance today.I have them take my monthly premium out of my bank on the first of the month because if it is not in their office by 5PM on the first, they cancel your coverage-no grace period, no nothing. On March 1, the monthly premium win increase to $600, over 246%...and it will increase again on July 1 to $629. They sent me a letter dated early December of 2009, but it was enclosed with today's bill...they have known about this for months, we have not. Fortunatly for me, we can afford it and will pay it, but I am certain there are many thousands who cannot and therefor will have no health insurance coverage as of the end of February. This is because the GOP denied financing for the insurance program, which is an outgrowth of the Chips children's insurance program.

I now understand the Republicans plan to fix the economy and control healthcare costs-let the poor and sick die, reducing costs to the state and reducing the unemployment numbers...simple when you grasp it.

Any Democrat considering voting for a "good republican", please think again.....


mark

[old mark]

1. Kick.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. We need to get more Dems elected in the State Senate. For sure! n/t

[the jungle]

3. Ask

Mark I am from Pa also and we must go to every republican event we can and ask the one simple question. What are you going to do about healthcare. Ask nice or scream don't matter.

[WinkyDink]

4. Could you be specific? Is this PSERS?

[old mark]

5. It's the Adult Basic coverage from Unison. It has been great for me,

and it's still way better and $200 less a month than Blue Cross, but they should have given some warning and made allowances for those who are strapped for money....many people who really need this can't come up with another $400 a month. I am sure there will be a large number of people dropping their coverage because of this, with bad results.
Fucking politicians.....


mark

[poz133]

6. im screwed. seriously.

I just got the letter today, February 1st. I now have less than a month to figure out what to do. It's going from $313 a month to $629. Not to mention this is the program for low income residents. What a joke. How am I supposed to find, apply for, qualify for, and begin new health insurance from a different company in less than a month!? Not to mention the changes in the plan - but that's the least of my worries at this point.

Also, when I started this program, I went on auto-payment where it takes the monthly payment out from your bank account. So, I'm afraid if I don't complete the "stop auto payment" procedure WELL before March 1, they will bill me. The first time they auto-deducted from my account, they messed up and took 2 payments out "accidentally" for the first month! Clearly they don't know what they are doing. After wiping out my bank account a few days before Christmas in 2008 (because THEY messed up), I had no money for the next 2 weeks until the refund appeared in my bank account. I am so afraid that no matter how hard I try to cancel auto-pay, I will still get charged in March. Which means I won't be able to pay rent... and eventually become homeless... which leads to another problem alltogether.

While I'm on the topic of state programs for low income individulas... has anyone else had problems with how they were treated when applying for food stamps? When I went to pick up my card, I asked if it could be used out of state for food (I live 15 minutes from NJ). The woman replied by saying "Oh - I don't think so. Most people on stamps don't even have jobs anyways, so that wouldn't be an issue." That was just one of the demeaning comments she had. I said I work in NJ sometimes and just wondered if I could use it at grocery stores there. Any by the way, state employee lady... I have 2 (TWO) jobs and a bachelors degree from a 4-year university in Pennsylvania. How about them apples.

[blue neen]

7. Yeah, the state workers I've talked to lately have not been real friendly.

I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma. Welcome to DU. :)