The Health Care Debate Hit Home Today
Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Thursday, March 18, 2010
A friend of mine is about to lose her insurance.
Pardon me if I don't go too heavy on the details. I want to respect her privacy.
This friend has worked years for the American dream. After years of working on her own she struck out on her own - and then found she won't be able to get the health insurance she so desperately needs. This lady has never (as far as I'm aware) taken a dime of government money. She's one of the most generous, caring people I know.
She leaves her job (leaving an open position for an unemployed person, perhaps) after years of setting things up a safety net so she could work for herself. Then a critical part of that safety net was slashed open.
I grew up in a very conservative family. I have relatives that flat-out refused welfare, even for a short time to get back on their feet. You buy insurance for your home, your car, your health not because you have to, but because you're investing in a safety net should disaster happen. This is what my friend did. Disaster happened, and now she's (pardon my language) totally screwed.
What in the hell is wrong with this picture? I still follow the conservative mantra: Work hard, put away what you can, and get insured. Notice I didn't ask for the government to insure me. Neither did my friend. What's next? "Oh, we see you stubbed your toe a couple of days before the claim, and since you were obviously not quick on your feet we're forced to deny the claim for the bite you received from a stray dog while out on your walk. We understand that you're out walking to stay fit and reduce your risk of disease, but that stubbed toe was a pre-existing condition. Hope you don't get rabies, and have a nice day."
The next time I get a colonoscopy (which my insurer will be happy to cover - until they find a problem) I'll just read a few health care horror stories. I won't need the drugs to clean out my system.
Tags: Politics
Filed under: Politics
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