Worried About Insurance?: Our Ranks Are Growing

Whenever I'm interviewed by mainstream media or write something for a mainstream publication about how much I pay for health insurance and how high my out-of-pocket costs are (typically $20,000/year), there are a certain number of people who send me nasty e-mail or post comments along the lines of: "Die, bitch. I don't want to pay for your medical care."

And a certain number of people who don't seem to get that I was just like them: I had health insurance through my employer for as long as I could work full time. Then I COBRA-ed it, which meant I paid the full cost myself for the employer's plan, and then, after that, I ran into trouble getting and paying for health insurance coverage.

So it's going to be interesting to see whether what's happening now will increase the number of Americans who suddenly think national health insurance is a good idea. 

First, there's a report in The Seattle Times that newly unemployed Americans will have to spend about one-third of their unemployment benefits to pay for health insurance. That's if they take the COBRA option, which allows them to keep insurance through their employer's plan but pay the full cost. It only lasts for 18 months. 

Welcome to my world. 

Read the story: Unemployed squeezed on health insurance 

And one more, from CNN:  Few laid-off workers keep health insurance

What's going to happen? Well, we don't know yet. President Obama has promised health care to all. 

See:  Millions Await Obama's Action on Health Insurance  

According to that report, 50 million Americans don't have health insurance, a number that will climb with job layoffs. 

If you have lost your health insurance, here's an article with some suggestions for where to look for coverage:

Where to get health insurance if you've lost your job

@ Jeanne Sather 2009. 

Comments

[anita]

Important: If you're in treatment for anything, not matter how small, you need to secure your next insurance before going off of Cobra, or within 60 days of going off Cobra. Otherwise, you'll get smacked with the "pre-existing condition" clause, and you won't be covered for that.

[amy]

We need elected officials to lose their benefits until we all have access.

[Imee]

That's a sad fact, alright. I'm just thankful that I'm not part of that statistic yet. I'm crossing my fingers for a better economy not just in the US but worldwide.

[Bud Quinlan]

I make you right, and there will be a large number of converts to universal health care in the near future.

A fact that the "I don't want to pay for your care" crowd either doesn't know or disputes (like flat earthers) is that the US has the highest per capita health care costs in the world, and yet we have a huge and growing number of people with limited or no access to medical treatment.

So there's a paradox: if they don't want to pay for the care of others, they end up paying more. If they don't mind paying for the care of others, they save money.

It's a great thing when thrift and compassion meet. On the other hand, profligacy and self-righteousness of the "I don't want to pay for your care" crowd...well, it's just plain wrong.

Thanks for a great blog. I'm going to subscribe to your feed.