I still have no access to health care.

[bc3000]

I understand that the President and the democratic members of congress are thrilled with their legislative victory, but am I allowed to wait to see if I will ever be able to see a doctor before I give health care reform a thumbs-up?

I am glad that many poor people will be getting health care, but it's hard for me to be happy with the overall results of the whole process when I have no access to health care that I can afford. I still owe over $8000 for a 2 hour trip to the emergency room around a year ago (turns out that it's not as free as advertised by the republicans).

Is that it? Is that what supporting democrats has gotten me and millions of others in my position? Right now I only see two options: I can stop working completely, use the little money I have to buy a van and go homeless. Or I can try to save up enough money for a plane ticket to Costa Rica or Mexico and get care there. I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

[Tempest]

1. Jesus Christ

It's only been a week.

And it would have never happened under a Republican leadership.

[Posteritatis]

4. Most of the 'immediate' parts of the bill take effect on 9/23, anyway. (nt)

[bc3000]

6. please elaborate

I was under the impression that "Health care is now the law of the land."

Perhaps you are right and I am being too anxious to be able to see doctor. It has only been a week. So when does it kick in? When will a single male who makes around 18,000 a year be able to see a doctor?

[Tempest]

8. Instead of complaining

And asking others, do some work and research it for yourself.

Everything you need, or want to know about the bill is available on-line.


At least you have a job. I haven't worked or had health insurance for more than a year. And at my age (50+) that's a sure way of increasing my cancer risk.

[Hissyspit]

23. Instead of asking others?

Why shouldn't he ask others?

If you don't want to help then don't help.

[Tempest]

28. He wasn't looking for help

He was complaining and criticizing Democrats because he wasn't getting any instant gratification.

[Hissyspit]

42. "I'd appreciate any other suggestions."

If you have specifics you can lend the OP, he asked for them, specifics that could both help him and counter any complaining or criticizing he might be doing.

[tango-tee]

49. Empathy is simply oozing from your response.

If you can't or don't want to be of help to the OP or have any advice to give, fine. But this is uncalled for. "Critizing Democrats"? Is that no longer allowed in your opinion? What are we here - the 1st Rah-Rah Brigade of the 4th Pom-Pom Division?

Happy Easter.

[Jakes Progress]

69. Nasty.

And unfeeling. The comment is counterproductive to helping Democrats come together. If you had no suggestions or if the OP's situation offends you, then the best course would be to move on to another thread rather than alienate people even more. There are those here who would be glad to help.

[unapatriciated]

34. empathy is something many have little of.

Thank you for caring.
This is not the bill I wanted but it is what we have now.
We all need to ask serious questions on how it will work and how we can fix what doesn't.
It's sad they don't understand this and would rather belittle or insult those of us who ask questions or point out problems that need to be addressed in this bill.

[Raineyb]

52. You were cheering. Shouldn't you know what it is you were cheering? n/t

[Raineyb]

51. 4 years from now if you have a preexisting condition.

Didn't you get the memo? You're not supposed to point out that it's not doing a damn thing for you and that you need to be able to afford to get care. You're supposed to cheer when you're told and forget about those pesky details like getting care.

[elleng]

88. 'the law of the land' takes time to implement.

Its a big country.

[HughMoran]

27. Jesus got healthcare?

Bastard.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

58. Amen And He Gave Free Health Care Too

Happy Easter

[Capitalocracy]

45. If you're celebrating, you're the one who's jumping the gun

It's only been a week. This person is saying let me wait and see if I'll have access to health care before I get too excited... sounds more reasonable than popping open the champagne and declaring Mission Accomplished to me.

[truedelphi]

2. I am sorry to hear your report. That sucks. After

our medical bankruptcy we now have free doctors at a free clinic. And they have been fabulous. One thousand percent better than the crappy doctors we had at Kaiser for our $ 957 a month payments.

However, the one place that the system falls apart is if you need a specialist. Something like a nine or ten month wait.

[JuniperLea]

9. Wow... my Kaiser experience was completely different!

Never had to wait for a specialist, never really had to wait for anything... except in the emergency room... had to wait in line behind a bunch of GOP healthcare folk.

[truedelphi]

93. Hi Juniper Lea -

I did want to thank you for responding to me about my Kaiser experience.

I didn't want to do so publicly because my aim in responding isn't to call you out or say you are wrong.

I had wonderful Kaiser experiences my first six months and then it fell apart for me, and for my spouse. But I don't doubt that you may be having good experiences there too. And I hope you always will.

I do want you to consider this - something I wish I had known back when it would have mattered. If things ever do fall apart for you at Kaiser, make sure within a week or so you get a copy of your records. Kaiser is notorious for its misdiagnosing people. And then when they have screwed up so badly you may have a chance to (since you cannot ever get your full health back after a major screw up) to get money through arbitration.

When you attempt to arbitrate with Kaiser, they "zap" your records. There will be no record of the visits that are pertinent to your case. And unless you have some documentation of your visit(s) you cannot prove anything.

A friend of mine, her daughter in law had serious stomach pain. The doctors at K. gave her prilosec or one of the other prescription anti acids. For two years. After a while, they gave her preseiption anti-anxiety meds because she was so hysterically insistant that she was in pain.

She died of stomach cancer a short time after the anti anxiety meds were prescribed. Her husband succeeded in suing Kaiser, but only because after they zapped her pertinent patient visits from the records, he found two bottles of Prilosec whose labels had the doctors name and the prescription dates. He won some three million bucks, but he would have rather of had his wife. He didn't live more than ten years after her death, and he died before turning fifty.

I have about six or seven other stories like this, and my point is, cover yourself because Kaiser is not about to ever admit in court that they goof up so much.

T.D.

[Frances]

3. I am so sorry about your situation

Have you talked with the ER where you owe $8000? I have heard that they will work out a payment plan with you because they would rather get some money than none.

Are there any clinics where you pay based on need near you?

I would not recommend Mexico for medical care; a friend had a miscarriage while in Matzalan, Mexico and the hospital was definitely not what you would want as far as sanitation and medical competence.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

74. Yes, as an uninsured person, you are automatically billed "full fare," but

if you go in and make a settlement offer--one that you can actually afford--they may be willing to take that as opposed to writing off the costs of your care completely. Ask if you can pay "the negotiated rate," which may be as low as 35%.

My brother the doctor explained that insurance companies pay a certain percentage of "full price," so providers set their prices high enough that the insurance companies' percentage will cover their cost.

[Uncle Joe]

5. What is youir medical malady? n/t

[bc3000]

7. I don't know.

I'm not a doctor.

[Uncle Joe]

11. Well I hope

you get to see one soon.

[JuniperLea]

13. Well, if you're that concerned, the GOP healthcare is still available...

Go sit in an emergency room... yes, you'll pass the charges on to the rest of us, but if you are really concerned, I'll be happy to pay my share to be sure you're ok.

[bc3000]

19. I already tried that

And now I have to declare bankruptcy. Emergency rooms aren't free. That's a myth.

[Mojeoux]

61. bc, I think you should call your Congress Rep and your Senator, and keep calling

People should NOT go homeless to pay medical bills!!

[JuniperLea]

10. Patience is a virtue...

You might wait until this thing kicks in before you start bitching about it.

See my sigline...


:eyes:

[bc3000]

15. But patience is stupidity if I'm waiting for nothing

What am I waiting for? If someone here could tell me honestly, "Just wait until September and the working poor will have access to affordable health care" that would be just great.

Does any one here understand the bill enough to tell what I'm waiting for and when it will happen?

[JuniperLea]

18. You've been given all the tools to see for yourself...

Yet you continue to insist that someone here should take you by your little hand and show you the way.

Did you even read what I wrote? You have access now throught the GOP plan... if you are that concerned, go to an emergency room!

I don't think you're concerned with your health at all... I think you're concerned with stirring the shit...

[bc3000]

20. You are wrong

I'd actually like to be able to see a doctor.

You say I've been given the tools to see for myself and I have looked. Here is what I see: This Health care reform law is never going to help someone like me actually get health care. If I'm wrong, I'd love to know how. Why is it so easy to criticize me for not knowing and so difficult for anyone to actually tell me?

You say "try the GOP plan" (by which you mean emergency room) and criticize me for not reading what you wrote, but in my first post I mentioned that I was already in debt from going to an emergency room.

[JuniperLea]

25. Google "free clinic+your city"

This is where the HC bill will be working first... and until then, they can help you with free services.

I'm sorry no one told you this before...

Local business results for free clinics near Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles Free Clinic
maps.google.com - [phone] - More

Los Angeles Free Clinic
www.thesabanfreeclinic.org - [phone] - 2 reviews

Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic Medical
www.hsfreeclinic.org - [phone] - 1 review

Free Clinics
maps.google.com - [phone] - More

The Los Angeles Free Clinic
www.thesabanfreeclinic.org - [phone] - More

Knights of Malta Free Clinic
maps.google.com - [phone] - More

Knights of Malta Free Clinic: Hitselberger William E MD
maps.google.com - [phone] - 1 review
More results near Los Angeles, CA »


The Saban Free Clinic - Home
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[bbinacan]

33. It seems to me

that you can't answer the question.

[noamnety]

43. It seems to me that the folks most likely to harass people

for wanting health care NOW are those who already have it now.

There's a reason people without access to health care usually aren't patient. It's because they are either in pain, or aware that they are causing more damage by waiting (patiently?) an indefinite amount of time before being able to get treatment.

If you aren't in that situation ... if you have the privilege of knowing you can get health care when you need it, that's great, and I hope you appreciate what you have.

I would just ask that you think about democratic ideals and what a respectful and appropriate response is to someone who is stressed because they don't currently have health care.

Imagine if someone asked this at a town hall, and Obama's response was like yours - deliberate eye rolling, and mean-spirited statements that they need to stop "bitching" about wanting health care now.

There's something in the underlying attitude that reminds me of that guy hurling money in the face of the man with parkinsons at the recent protest, and I am sorry to read that on DU of all places.

[unapatriciated]

65. +1

Thank you

[juajen]

96. +2

[Lorien]

68. Emergencies and things like cancer and heart disease wait for no one

try a little compassion for a Change. :eyes:

[JuniperLea]

78. That's what emergency rooms are for...

And that was my first suggestion... before the goal post started moving all over the place.

Try being a little more compassionate yourself by reading thoroughly before chastising.

[KittyWampus]

12. are we there yet? are we there yet? are we there yet?

how about now? how about now? how about now?

[JuniperLea]

14. Indeed!

[Hissyspit]

26. Delete

[unapatriciated]

35. Let's hope we all ask serious questions on how this bill will work.

That is the only way we have of finding out the problems and fixing them.
We can not ignore that there are problems that need fixing.
Mocking shows how little you care about those of us who have real concerns about this bill and want to fix it so we do not fail.
Many of us have read the bill and see the problems. The Insurance Industry will not keep their promise of backing down for very long.
We need to discuss the problems and fix them as soon as possible.

I do not want to see what happened to many in California (like myself) happen to others.
We need very strict regulations and penalties added to this bill and that can only be achieved through amendments.

[JuniperLea]

36. So... let me get this straight...

You feel we don't know enough about this bill, but you are positive there are things that require fixing. Interesting. Real concerns over something you know little about... interesting. You've read the bill and see the problems, yet you still have questions.

Seriously, you're making no sense.

[unapatriciated]

38. my questions are how and when we will fix it, not what is wrong with it.

There are many however who are unsure as to a how all programs in this bill will apply to them and to mock them does not help.
I was glad you posted the various phone numbers where he could find help for his immediate situation but thought your little cartoon did little to address his problem and was only used to hurt.

I have been involved in HCR in California from 1990-2006 (before I moved) regarding the problems in the states regulations on pre-existing conditions and the Fair Claims Practice Act.
Blue Cross, Atena , Cigna and others ignored the regulations, California ignored the problems and complaints for years. This created many hardships for families who thought they were covered.
When the state finally addressed the situation the Insurance Companies tied it up in court for years and then only paid a fine that was a fraction of what they gained in profits for more than twelve years ignoring the law.
Regulations are good but if you do not have strong clear penalties, you will have problems.

You can not introduce regulations and penalties through an EO that is done by amendments. Which is why we can not relax until we get this done.
I was glad that the Insurance Industry showed their hand so early and even happier with Obama's response. But we still have to fix it and 2012 is not that far away.

There are no real penalties in this bill regarding the Insurance Companies ignoring the regulations. There is also language that reads very similar to California Regulations allowing the Insurance Companies room to question and tie it up in court.


I did win all my battles with Blue Cross and later Cigna regarding denials and reviews without going to court, but the delays in care for my son had a price for him as well as my family.
I'm sorry if you misunderstood on what questions I have regarding this bill, but again you use belittling language without knowing what I have experienced and done in regards to HCR.

[bc3000]

17. So I guess that means "No"?

I can understand that people here think that I'm asking for too much too soon. But it's hard to accept that I should just be content waiting when nobody really seems able to tell me what I'm waiting for and when it will happen.

[MyNameGoesHere]

76. AS far as I can tell

you are waiting for nothing. If you have a pre-existing condition then you get a warm feeling knowing that someday when you get insurance you cannot be dropped. Right now nothing has changed, you are still uninsured and at the mercy of free services. A lot of these ass hats are calling you a rupuke and who am I to refute that, maybe you are like me and wondering what all the cheering was for. But I am in the same boat as you, no insurance, free services non-existent and most are broke anyway. Emergency room? Bullshit. Not sick enough to die so move on. I followed this whole fiasco and I am sure I do not know what I am waiting for either. But in the meantime be comforted in the knowledge that we can still kill people in foreign countries and now we can drill the fuck out the earth. Life is good.

Oh and i used one of those fancy what does it mean to you things. It made me jump for joy, wait no it didn't still uninsured and will have to wait.


Beginning in 2014, you will receive tax credits to help afford insurance premiums in the new exchanges as well as assistance with deductibles and co-payments. According to your income and family size, the tax credits will ensure you do not spend more than $800 to $1260 on premiums. Your maximum out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments would be capped at 15% of the total cost.

[CreekDog]

86. You aren't asking for too much too soon, you're just not going to get what you are asking for

neither are we.

there was a proposal on the table that just barely squeaked across the finish line and it was basically that or nothing.

you wanted better? so did nearly everybody here, but this is what passed and it is progress. but just because it is progress doesn't mean it will meet your need here and now.

let's face it, if we had actually passed a single payer system, it would not have started within a week of passage of the bills, more likely it would have started up sometime later and who knows how long that would have been.

but if you want to argue that today, the health care bill isn't doing you any good, okay, argue that, it's certainly true at this point.

the point is I can't fix that for you and most of us supporting health care reform could only get the limited bill that came through congress through this process.

i'm sorry that this sucks, but i can't fix that part. :shrug:

[Raineyb]

55. Waiting when it comes to health care can be deadly. It certainly is more serious

than the stupid caricature of the kids in the back of the car asking "are we there yet" over and over again.

[sandnsea]

16. Small business gets 35% credits - today

Go talk to your boss and ask what he's going to do about getting you health care now.

And then tell us where you are so maybe we can help find a free clinic.

[wolfgangmo]

21. I own a small business

And I still can't afford health care for me or anyone who works here. Crredits are fine but they only do any good for those who are already spending the money. Of course I all our people have preexisting conditions and the cost of policies as of this AM are still WAY more than we can afford.

I guess we'll be taking government fines for $750, Alex.

[OKNancy]

32. I'm in the same boat, but no penalties for me since I have less

than 50 employees. We aren't require to provide it.

[bc3000]

22. I don't have a job.

I do freelance computer programming work.

[Texasgal]

29. You are on the internet already

google up some clinics in your community. Or some low cost clinics that go on a slider scale with your income. It isn't hard, they are out there.

Question: Did you think we are getting FREE health care or something?

[JuniperLea]

37. I tried to tell him/her the same thing...

No response. I think it's a smart answer, if I do say so myself! But no, seems this one would rather bitch and moan than do anything productive. I smell BS... shit stirring... seems the smart thing to do would have been to think this thing out first before stirring stuff up!

Good call on your part.

[unapatriciated]

39. If he is just "shit stirring" to mock does not win the argument.

It is much better to answer the question if you can and suggest (like you did with Clinic info) solutions.
You can not know for certain if the poster is sincere or not, so it is better to be civil than flippant.

[JuniperLea]

77. Well excuse me...

After chasing this moving goal post all over hell and back my human self overpowered my spiritual self and told someone where to get off.

I'm a little more than tired of seeing us all go to hell in a hand-basket, watching my own friends and family suffer horribly, work endlessly to find solutions for myself, my friends, my family, and then come here and chase goal posts because once you answer one question the goal post is moved to the next... it's exhausting and ridiculous.

Forgive me, but I'm only human. One sick, tired, overwhelmed, seriously concerned human. When I hear ridiculousness such as this OP wherein someone is hell bent on ridiculing legislation that ink has yet to dry on, I get a little pissy. And rightfully so, IMHO. Yes, there are dire and urgent needs; MOST of us have them in one form or another. Patience is a virtue that will go a long way toward holding us all together until some help arrives. Bitching while the ink is still wet is utterly stupid. Period. Sorry if you disagree to the degree that you feel the need to chastise me for pointing out a lack of virtue.

[gaspee]

40. Not that easy

I've been trying to get into a free clinic for the better part of 6 months. I can't win the lottery you have to enter to get in.

I have untreated high blood pressure and now half my state being under water isn't helping.

I have no idea how I'm going to replace my furnace and hot water heater, our insurance company just upped our mandatory hurricane insurance to five percent of the value of my house.

I'd like to know when I'll be able to see a doctor too.

My mom got in the lottery after two years of trying and was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Hope I'm not dead by the time I win the free clinic lottery.

[Texasgal]

46. I am an RN.

If you have untreated HBP go to the ER. Atleast get some meds to get yourself in check!

Get some meds and give us some time... Healthcare is coming!

Have you been here? Is this the lottery? http://www.rifreeclinic.org/leadership

[sandnsea]

31. Then you qualify for a 35% tax credit

Which may be of no help right now but you should start looking into a plan to see how you can work this into your regular accounting. Or wait until 2014 and the subsidized exchange. Or find a free clinic and get your free health care.

[ima_sinnic]

41. is that true for self-employed?

according to the whitehouse website, the tax credit "can cover up to 35 percent of the premiums a small business pays to cover its workers."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/small-business/tax-credit

I am also self-employed, a freelance copy editor, and have no insurance.
I would be interested in knowing more about this tax credit, but so far all I see is that it's for businesses with employees--or am I considered a "worker" for a "small business" and eligible for the credit even though I'm paying the premium for myself?

on edit: added link to whitehouse.gov page

[sandnsea]

47. I've seen it reported that way

But I also see it reported as only for workers, or if you're an LLC I guess the company can take the tax credit.

I did see people with pre-existing conditions will get subsidies for the medical pool though. Would that help?

[bc3000]

48. This is the question that applies to my case

This would be how health care reform might apply to me (at least for the next four years or so. then stuff might change).

So I'd get a small discount on exactly what was available to me before the law passed. That might actually mean something if it was 35% off. A discount of 35% might actually make a $200 a month policy with a $10,000 deductible affordable to me. That certainly doesn't mean I'd ever be able to pay that deductible. I still can't afford to actually go to a doctor.

But it's not a 35% discount. It's a 35% tax credit. So if it even applies to freelance workers, it means I could save around 10 bucks a month on what I couldn't afford before, and still not go to a doctor - it would be for catastrophic emergencies only.

Perhaps it seems self-centered, but I think it's fair to say that this health care reform law does nothing for me. I could not afford to go to a doctor before this law passed and I can not afford to go to a doctor now. I think it's also fair to say that this law does not give health care to Americans because I am an American and I do not have health care. This democratic victory is bittersweet for me.

[orleans]

53. i'm basically in the boat right along with you

high blood pressure--but i pay cash to see my dr. twice a year ($100 per visit) and then i pay cash for the meds

i was recently told his office isn't taking any new patients that do not have insurance. because i've been seeing him for years then they will still "let" me come in.

gee, thanks.

ugh.

[SaintD]

54. Previous advice may be harsh but true...

I can only say this from anecdotal evidence as my wife is a doc in a community clinic. Don't let others get you down, but know that there are practitioners out there that truly want to help people. This is their purpose. Get on the phone with these clinics if you can, and find a way to get in. I know it can seem daunting at first, but there are doctors out there whose purpose is to help people in your situation. Keep your head up and ask the right people. Help is there for you.

[chowder66]

56. options

first off without knowing what your issue is and where you live it makes it hard to advise. with that said you can a) go to a walk in clinic and pay cash and ask for a direct pay discount (which on some proceedures can be as much as 50% off!) all the while keeping communication open so you can go step by step with your doctor on the costs you may incur. b) go to a free clinic in your town c) research high risk pool coverage at your state level. i have this type of coverage. I am a contracted technology worker who needed insurance and have a pre-existing condition....by the way...I was once treated for "gas" (a one day discomfort I complained about in the doc's office) and that is considered a pre-existing condition that I was refused coverage for in our oh-so-great current health system. I pay $320 dollars a month which is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much but it gives me a sense of security that I dug deep for by cutting every cost I could. NOW as for what health insurance reform will do for you... YOU will need to research it. Will it cover you and help yo?...maybe. If not..... either a) look for another job that will provide coverage b) complain that this isn't good enough for you and others should suffer that would benefit because you are not included.


Good luck. and yes...I am being lazy in my grammer. It's late.

[Neecy]

70. Oh, but you're supposed to go to a free clinic!

After a year of debate, that's your answer here - find a free clinic and pray to God that they'll take you.

Quite a win for our side, isn't it?

I guess the people who don't live within 100 miles of a free clinic are just shit out of luck.

I'm sorry you're going through this. I'm even sorrier that you're being attacked here for being working poor and without health insurance. This thread has been utterly nauseating.

[Emit]

72. advanceable tax credit will be available

for those who qualify

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8033213#8033690

[Abq_Sarah]

94. No

The self employed are treated the same as the uninsured. You'll be eligible for subsidies depending on your income level.

[ima_sinnic]

95. ok, thanks for the info (nt)

[NNN0LHI]

24. Third suggestion. Get unionized

[leftstreet]

30. When you buy your van to live in, try to buy American

:hi:

Great post!

K&R

[backscatter712]

44. If you're unable to get health insurance due to pre-existing conditions, there's the high-risk pool.

I don't know if that will help you or not, but that's what is in theory available to those unable to get health insurance while waiting for the exchange and pre-existing condition clause ban to kick in in 2014.

I'm not sure if that will help you, but it might be worth looking into.

[uponit7771]

63. I don't think the person was trying to be sarcastic

[Lydia Leftcoast]

75. The high-risk pool is usually also the high-priced pool

Sad to say.

[Withywindle]

50. Don't let the wankers get you down.

Lots of people are wondering.

I'm a 40-year-old single woman, currently making about $20,000 a year (I used to make about twice that and have a good salaried job with benefits until my industry collapsed and I was laid off two years ago).

I am reasonably healthy and uninjured (knock wood) but I AM currently uninsured, and studiously ignoring various aches and pains, because I dread getting diagnosed with a condition I have no hope of being able to afford to treat--and getting stuck with a bill for that diagnosis that I MIGHT be able to pay after a few years, if I live that long, will not help in any meaningful way.

I just feel, and have felt for a long time, that for single childless adults in the lower-middle-class/working-class/working-poor brackets, this bill isn't offering much of anything we can use. It's back to 19th-century medicine for us. I support it on the basis of the people it WILL help. I don't expect that'll be me. But if it helps save even ONE life, it's worth it.

[bc3000]

67. Our situations are close to identical

This health care reform bill puts people like us in a position where our only real access to health care in this country will be to drop 25-40% of our incomes and get on Medicare.

Like you, I definitely don't begrudge those that this bill helps. And I understand that this is a victory for the democrats. We couldn't let perfect be the enemy of the good.

It does bother me a little that almost everyone on these forums wanted single payer or at least a government option, systems that would have helped people like us. But that was before this bill passed. Now that the bill is law and we have the gall to point out that it was a compromise that allows people to slip through the cracks, almost nobody wants to hear it. It seems to me we should be taking this victory but still keeping up the pressure on our representatives to get something better passed that will actually provide universal coverage. I guess people have health care reform fatigue and it's easier to just pretend that the democrats actually delivered.

[gleaner]

57. I'm very sorry....

This bill is not a health care bill. It is a health insurance bill, and that is not a good thing. It offers very little and one of the biggest selling points it was supposed to have had, coverage for children with pre existing conditions has just been declared non existant by the insurance companies.

I wish I knew how to help you. You can get care in Mexico, perhaps in Canada. Sarah (the mouth that roared) Palin is fond of recounting how her family used to cross the border and get health care there. But she lies, so who knows.

Do you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits or SSI? I don't know your situation but if you think you may be eligible call the SSA 800 number and discuss it with them. Can you get Medicaid in your state. It would help you to see a doctor and get medications now. I know that the safety nets have been thinned until they are almost non existant, but I don't know of anything else to tell you. If you have any questions or need more information, please feel free to PM me. My husband worked for Social Security for many years and maybe he could help you more than I can. Please take care. I will keep you in my thoughts and hope for the best for you.

[rucky]

59. A trip south is not a bad idea, actually.

If the high-risk pool is too costly, you don't qualify for Medicaid, and a free clinic can't help.

It probably won't cost as much as getting treated here (or at least diagnosed), while you're waiting.

[Lorien]

71. That's what I plan to do, now and in the future

the HCR plan won't stop insurers from denying claims or making the deductibles unaffordable. It will still be cheaper to leave the country for costly surgeries and care.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

60. Why Are You Folks Bagging On The OP

If we had real health care reform we would all be able to see a doctor regardless of our status in life.

Oh, don't bag on me. Maybe this is the best one can expect of our political system.

[uponit7771]

62. Do you know where your local CHC is?!

[area51]

64. k&r

You have no easy access to health care because unfortunately what the health insurance reform was a dog and pony show; it was not meant to give everyone access to affordable health care and protect America's greatest resource, which is American citizens. It was about getting campaign contributions, and enslaving us to for-profit, unregulated serial killers. It's all about the Benjamins.

[Echo In Light]

66. k/r

[davsand]

73. This page can help you estimate what benefit you will derive from this HCR bill:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/3/23/835024/-PSA:-CalculatorsTools-to-Personally-Assess-HCR-Impact-on-You

Based on what you have stated in this thread, you are single, self employed and uninsured. At one point you state an income of $17,000. I did not know your age, and assumed you are over 26 years old.

One benefit calculator estimates the following for your scenario:



What the bill means for your insurance coverage:

Beginning in 2014, you will receive tax credits to help afford insurance premiums in the new exchanges as well as assistance with deductibles and co-payments. According to your income and family size, the tax credits will ensure you do not spend more than $680 to $1071 on premiums. Your maximum out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments would be capped at 15% of the total cost.

What the bill means for your taxes:

You are required to have health insurance by 2014. Penalties for not having coverage begin in 2014 at $95 per uninsured dependent and rise by 2016 to $695 per person (up to a maximum of $2,085 per family or 2.5 percent of household income (whichever is higher). After 2016, the penalty would be increased annually by the cost-of-living adjustment.


I urge you to investigate what (if any) charity care program is possible at the hospital you went to. Many hospitals DO provide charity care for the medically indigent but they do not always do a great job of advertising the program's existence. We just had a case in the Illinois Supreme Court that focused on the issue of charity care and the expectation is that it will have an impact nationwide on the provision of care for the uninsured.

I would also urge you to do more research before you criticize this bill too much more. It maybe isn't everything we all wanted but it is one hell of a start if you are one of the 35 million who had no insurance before.


Laura

[JuniperLea]

79. Well done, Laura!

:applause:

[bc3000]

80. In other words, no benefit at all.

The working poor got screwed.

Best case scenario: We got a promise that in four years we will won't have to pay more than 40-50% of our income for health care insurance. Guess what? The working poor struggle every month to make rent and pay utilities. We are not in a position to pay 40-50% of our income before we ever see a doctor.

The awesome Senator Alan Grayson said the republican plan is "Don't get sick and if you do get sick, die quickly." The Democratic plan for the working poor is just about the same thing, with one *footnote: "If you want health care, make less money and get under that poverty line."

Maybe this reform law is a step forward for some people. As I said in my original post, I am glad that more people will be able to get health care. But without cost controls to make health insurance more affordable, there is going to be a sizable amount of our population who is not poor enough to get free care and too poor to pay for it.

[Laughing Mirror]

83. Yep, that's what it sounds like

But we, the working poor, always get screwed. That's the way it is. We learn to live with it, or not.

Thanks for your posts on this. Quite an enlightening thread!

[Laughing Mirror]

84. Yep, that's what it sounds like

But we, the working poor, always get screwed. That's the way it is. We learn to live with it, or not.

Thanks for your posts on this. Quite an enlightening thread!

[bc3000]

89. Not really.

With the clarification below, it doesn't look like they can charge us more than 10% of our incomes for premiums and then is says (for me): "Your maximum out-of-pocket costs for deductibles and co-payments would be capped at 15% of the total cost." I'm not absolutely certain what that last part means, but I'm hoping that means I could see a doctor and only pay 15% of the cost.

So it's reasonable and should be affordable to get basic care. Of course any serious illness and that 15% would still bankrupt you, but at least they would probably treat you.

So, the democratic plan for the working poor would be better summarized as "Don't get sick. If you do get sick, die quickly. But if you can make it for four years and nothing changes, there's a good chance you will be able to afford to buy into the private health care system and only be forced into bankruptcy if you get a serious illness."

The title of my post is still valid: "I still have no access to health care." But if I can make it for another four years without getting ill I should have access to health care. I think I shall start calling my representatives and telling them I think there should be an emergency temporary "Medicare for all" bill until these changes kick in in 2014.

[JuniperLea]

90. Were you expecting free health care?

The terms laid out here are decent, and in line with collective bargaining prices.

I think you just want to stir the pot and don't give a flying rat's ass about anything but stirring the shit... whatever...

[bc3000]

91. Yeah, you've repeated that around 6 times in this thread so far

Really, what side are you on?

The last time I've seen a doctor (other than a 2 hour emergency room visit that cost over $8000) was in 1999 when I lived in Europe. I've advocated for health care reform. I've supported democratic politicians. I've called and emailed my representatives to lobby for progressive issues. I've volunteered and circulated petitions for democratic candidates.

Then, we had all of our star democrats up on stage smiling and very pleased with themselves for guaranteeing "health care for all". But to you, I'm not allowed to ask, "when can I actually go to a doctor?" That's just stirring the shit. Your indignation that someone might actually ask how they can receive health care, repeated incessantly throughout this thread, disgusts me.

When it comes down to it, I have to wait another four years before I will be able to afford an appointment to see a doctor for something as simple as a physical. I've got a widespread history of colon cancer in my family and was told I should should be getting regular colonosopies 5 years ago. But I can't afford to get a colonoscopy. And if I could it would be a waste of money anyway because I certainly can't afford the treatments I need if I got a positive result.

So, don't bothering answering my initial question. I know which side you're on. You're on the side that says "the democrats won - don't ask any questions." You're on the side that really doesn't give a damn if people can go to see a doctor, as long as our party got something past the republicans. You're on the side that says to the working poor of our nation, "just shut up and be happy with what you got."

[Name removed]

92. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Born_A_Truman]

81. Go here...

Have you checked this web site?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/what-health-bill-means-for-you/?nav=most_emailed

[bc3000]

82. Can you help me clarify something?

From that link:
"According to your income and family size, the tax credits will ensure you do not spend more than $720 to $1134 on premiums."

So are they talking about monthly or yearly premiums? (It seems silly to me that a site that purports to answer questions doesn't specify that).

If that's monthly, I can get better unaffordable prices now. If that's yearly, then that's a pretty fair deal. I would be happy with that. Of course I still wouldn't be happy with the fact that we all need to try and stay alive for four years with no medical care to get it, but in the end I've been doing without any medical care for ten years now so the possibility of coverage in the fairly distant future is better than nothing at all I guess.

[Born_A_Truman]

85. Looks like yearly ...it's a percentage of income.

http://www.anchin.com/PR-032510.htm

Premium assistance for those with lower incomes. Beginning in 2014, people with income between 133% and 400% of the FPL are eligible for tax credits or cost-sharing subsidies on a sliding scale to help pay insurance premiums.

For example, based on current FPL figures, premium assistance would be available to a single person with income between around $14,400 and $43,300 or to a family of four with income between around $29,300 and $88,200. The credits are designed to ensure that qualifying individuals don’t spend more than a certain percentage of their income (ranging from 3% to 9.5%) on health insurance premiums.

[Born_A_Truman]

87. Well,

Unless $720 to $1134 is 3-9.5% of your monthly income, wouldn't you think it's yearly?