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Medicare waiting time is too long
Joan
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 07:23 PMre: Medicare waiting time is too long
Mandy Crest
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 07:38 PMJoan,
It's hard to believe that you're one of the lucky ones but, unfortunately, that's how our country has chosen to deal with health care. Our new administration has an awful lot on its plate, but this can wait no longer.
Thank you for adding your story and for sending us some link love. I see you've also contributed at change.gov, as have I.
Any more takers out there?
Visit Joan's Blog: A Short in the Cord
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Time to Get Back on Track
Lisa Emrich
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 09:38 PMMandy,
Thanks for continuing to keep the focus on Health Care Reform. After spending the first year at Brass and Ivory discussing health policy almost exclusively, I have set it aside to discuss aspects of Living with Multiple Sclerosis. Although the topics are not exclusive.
Perhaps it's time that I speak a little more on health reform and desired outcomes. This is a topic upon which I could go on, and on, and on....
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Health Care Crisis
Julie Baker
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 09:29 AMI found some interesting data about health care spending in the US vs. Canada. http://www.health-insurance-2008.org.
Do you think, if we were move efficient in our health care administration, we would have the funds to provide more care to those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay?
Julie Baker
re: Health Care Crisis
Mandy Crest
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 03:44 PMThanks for the link to the report. And for the provocative question.
I've heard folks stating that they do not feel they should have to pay the tab for others' health care.
It opens up the debate on whether health care is a right or a privilege. I would love to hear reader comments on this.
re: re: Health Care Crisis
Julie Baker
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 04:34 PMAccording to the Declaration of Independence, all Americans have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." It seems to me that none of these things are possible without health care.
The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, also, states that "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Luckily, I am still employed full-time, which gives me access to health insurance at a relatively affordable rate. If I was no longer employed and had to purchase private insurance with a pre-existing condition, I would never be able to afford it, which would mean that I would not have access to my MS prescription or the various medical appointments I need. Would that be "equal protection?" If I was unable to afford to get MRIs, see my neurologist, neuro-opthalmologist, or take my Rebif, but a fully insured woman with MS could have those things, is that equality?
Health care is a RIGHT, not a privilege.
Lazy Julie Baker
Maybe I'm Just Lazy: One Woman's Journey Through MS and Life
re: re: re: Health Care Crisis
Mandy Crest
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 04:50 PMSpeaking from the perspective of an individual who DOES have a pre-existing condition and DOES NOT have employer-based group insurance, I couldn't agree more.
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Hi Mandy! I'm posting a link to this blog on my site because it's consistent with our discussion at Friday's on-line MS chat. My issue is this (which you will see on my blog): When I was approved for social security disability, I was told that I had to wait 24 months for Medicare. Two years! Having been previously employed, I was eligible to retain medical benefits under COBRA. When they sent me the price list for my monthly premiums, I was stunned at how high the cost would be. IF I had been a breadwinner for a family, my COBRA costs would have been 60% of my social security disability benefit. Considering that my SSDI is significantly lower than my working salary, that is unacceptable. I am fortunate enough to have married before my disability so am able to use my husband's medical, and am fortunate enough (??) to have no children, so I am not bankrupt. But I am one of the lucky ones.