Do you have health insurance?

[luvsJack]

As I stated above I would sell the house and move to a cheaper place to rent and use the proceeds from the house for the health insurance. They could do the same.

And that is not always an option. You cannot assume to know what choices another person should make. You can't even be 100% sure of the exact choice you will make. When/if it ever happens to you selling your house may not be an option.


What makes you so sure anyone here is sitting around waiting for a handout? If I was sitting around with no job and yelling "give me", you could say that; but that is not the case here or with Blue.Fairy2. No one wants a hand out. We want a necessity to live to be affordable.

We have figured out what we need to do at my house. We have it under control, so please do not worry. My family's situation is not my issue with health care in this country. Seeing so many young couples and young families without insurance and working so hard to try to make ends meet--that's what makes me say that we need changes.

The mother of my granddaughter had her 6 week check up just a week or so ago. She got a letter in the mail today, the pap smear came back abnormal. She is scared to death. Its bad enough that she is worrying about what will happen when she goes back to the doctor, but add to that she is worried about the fact that she has no insurance. Between me, my mom and this young girl's parents we will see to it that she gets whatever she needs and sees whatever doctor she needs to--I can assure you that we will not be sitting around waiting for hand outs. But what about the 30,00 other 19 year olds that got that same letter today, that don't have insurance and don't have families surrounding them that will be glad to help? What will they do?

 

[Free4Life11]

Our system is just so broken on so many levels. It works for some, it doesn't work for others.

Unless of course you live in Minnesota! Apparently Minnesota is the magical place where everyone can get cheap insurance, nothing is ever denied, and they all live happily ever.

Damn, if I had known it was so great I would have begged my parents to never move!

 

[wdwfan16]

And that is not always an option. You cannot assume to know what choices another person should make. You can't even be 100% sure of the exact choice you will make. When/if it ever happens to you selling your house may not be an option.


What makes you so sure anyone here is sitting around waiting for a handout? If I was sitting around with no job and yelling "give me", you could say that; but that is not the case here or with Blue.Fairy2. No one wants a hand out. We want a necessity to live to be affordable.

We have figured out what we need to do at my house. We have it under control, so please do not worry. My family's situation is not my issue with health care in this country. Seeing so many young couples and young families without insurance and working so hard to try to make ends meet--that's what makes me say that we need changes.

The mother of my granddaughter had her 6 week check up just a week or so ago. She got a letter in the mail today, the pap smear came back abnormal. She is scared to death. Its bad enough that she is worrying about what will happen when she goes back to the doctor, but add to that she is worried about the fact that she has no insurance. Between me, my mom and this young girl's parents we will see to it that she gets whatever she needs and sees whatever doctor she needs to--I can assure you that we will not be sitting around waiting for hand outs. But what about the 30,00 other 19 year olds that got that same letter today, that don't have insurance and don't have families surrounding them that will be glad to help? What will they do?

I had one of those back in June and all was fine. The test is kind of painful. My sister, who does not have insurance, got the same results this month. She will be getting the test in the next few weeks. She goes to planned parenthood for her pap test and they referred her to the Dr. to preform the test.

The hospital where I had my female surgery, not associated with that test, is owned by my county and never turns anybody away. They will work with you on a payment plan and will write off many tests and bills if you qualify.

I get a test as precaution, that my insurance does not cover, as a result of my surgery. I want the peace of mind, so I pay for it. It is just a blood test so not much money. They told me they would write it off 100%. I turned them down, since this was not a need but a want on my part. They will give me 25% off if I pay in full when I get the bill (the insurance payment rate). This is what I will do.

Don't be so sure I am misinformed about my insurance. I told the Dr. exactly what bills would be paid, what my deductible and copay would be and that I did not need a referral. They called and the insurance told them exactly what I did. They told me I was the first person who knew my policy 100%. Many know some of it and get some of it wrong. I have read our policy and all changes that come in the mail (we rarely get these).

 

[luvsJack]

Don't worry I will do whatever I need rather than complain to others and wait for a handout.



Do you think that you are the only person whose rates when up over the last 10 years?

Are you working? So internet and WDW vacation money was not enough to cover the increases?

I know people who make $30K/year and still have insurance. They pay for it our of their checks. Guess what they do no have internet, cable or have never been to WDW or any other vacation in over a dozen years. There was one vacation in her entire 53 year life. She drives a 1997 car and had no CC debt. She makes it a priority.


Many here need to realize that multi-generational or borders was how older generations kept from living on the street. It is nice to think that everybody can live in a nuclear family in a home them own, but that is not reality in most of the history of the world and in most of the world today.

I think that poster already said that she does work. And how do you know whether she is or isn't going to Disney? Maybe the last time they went was before the premiums went up so much, maybe she has never been.

Again you are assuming what it will take for someone else to pay for something. You do not know their situation or mine. You have no clue what someone has already given up. There reaches a point that you can give up no more. There are things we do have to have. Believe it or not. How about just accepting the fact that when a person says they cannot pay for something, maybe just maybe they know what they are talking about.

And now you are suggesting we take in borders? Where should I put them to sleep? In the tub, maybe? Or maybe they would be comfortable sleeping across the top of the washer and dryer? Please.

 

[wdwfan16]

I think that poster already said that she does work. And how do you know whether she is or isn't going to Disney? Maybe the last time they went was before the premiums went up so much, maybe she has never been.

Again you are assuming what it will take for someone else to pay for something. You do not know their situation or mine. You have no clue what someone has already given up. There reaches a point that you can give up no more. There are things we do have to have. Believe it or not. How about just accepting the fact that when a person says they cannot pay for something, maybe just maybe they know what they are talking about.

And now you are suggesting we take in borders? Where should I put them to sleep? In the tub, maybe? Or maybe they would be comfortable sleeping across the top of the washer and dryer? Please.

You would not believe me if I told you what my Great-Aunt did.

When one has gotten rid of everything that is not a need (internet is a want not a need) and still cannot pay then they need to increase their income.

 

[ZachnElli]

You would not believe me if I told you what my Great-Aunt did.

When one has gotten rid of everything that is not a need (internet is a want not a need) and still cannot pay then they need to increase their income.

If you are looking for a job, the internet is a NEED. Most jobs are posted on the internet. Besides, dial up I believe is free or next to nothing so you are assuming anyone on the internet is paying a large monthly fee when they might be paying next to nothing. Also, you said you'd sell your house and rent something cheaper. What if you couldn't sell your house? What if it sat on the market for a few years? That is reality right now for a lot of people.

 

[wdwfan16]

If you are looking for a job, the internet is a NEED. Most jobs are posted on the internet. Besides, dial up I believe is free or next to nothing so you are assuming anyone on the internet is paying a large monthly fee when they might be paying next to nothing. Also, you said you'd sell your house and rent something cheaper. What if you couldn't sell your house? What if it sat on the market for a few years? That is reality right now for a lot of people.

It is not the reality where I live and we have a huge amount of equity, not from inflated housing prices (here they go up 8% a year) but from sweat equity and a nice down payment. We wanted a home we could afford on one income. We originally got a 20 year mortgage and refi to a 10 without taking out any money. We can sell our home and would if the needed.

 

[tomthebarncat]

Not one day has passed that I have not had wonderful health insurance. First thru active duty military, and now Aetna Global, sponsored by the DOD, as that is my hubby employer. I could not imagine my life without it!! and I strongly support universal healthcare in America. Remember it is about change not rightous anger!! and silly statements! made in town hall meetings.

 

[luvsJack]

It is not the reality where I live and we have a huge amount of equity, not from inflated housing prices (here they go up 8% a year) but from sweat equity and a nice down payment. We wanted a home we could afford on one income. We originally got a 20 year mortgage and refi to a 10 without taking out any money. We can sell our home and would if the needed.

That may not be the reality where you live, but it may be the reality where posters you are talking to live.

We have done many things to increase the income. I sold my gold this month, another month we sold some junk metal items that we could collect to a local junkyard, next month I am having a huge yard-sale. We have increased enought each month to get everything paid and taken care of. But somethings had to be cut in order for us to do that.

We are not just sitting her stagnant. I am looking for another job and am taking classes. Dh is talking to people all across the country about a positions with another trucking company (but it has to be something that makes money).

We started out with a house we could afford on just dh's income; his income was cut in half or less. We didn't foresee this coming.

All of this is besides the point anyway. You are coming up with what you believe to be solutions in my situation or another poster's situation. That doesn't solve the crisis in this country. It doesn't change a thing for all those folks that don't have a house to sell, don't own a car or have to have it, don't have a computer or require the one they do have, etc. etc. and still cannot afford health insurance.

I mentioned my dil-to-be earlier. I am sure her abnormal pap will turn out of be nothing. We will make sure she has the money to go back to the doctor and all will be fine. But if she didn't have us or her own family to help her, would she go back to the doctor? That's my thought on all the other thousands of young women who got that same letter yesterday. What about the ones that it isn't nothing but don't go back to the doctor because they don't have the money to go? What happens to them? Those are the ones that I believe universal health care is the answer for.

It is very easy to say what you would do, its easy to assume you know what someone else should do based on your own situation; but in reality everyone's situation is different. It takes having the ability to see past the end of our own noses and see the reality of some people's lives. To see that there really are reasons why everyone does not live the same way we do.

 

[Colleen27]

I said yes, but it is more of a "sort of". DH is self employed, so what we have is a merely expensive high deductible plan rather than a super-expensive comprehensive plan. So while we are technically insured, we still pay for all our medical care OOP.

 

[wdwfan16]

I am not sure what your premiums are now or what your house is worth and how much equity you have in your home but in this real estate market your profit would not be as big as it would have been and when you run out of proceeds from the sale of your home you will be left with no insurance and no home yes that is a real smart thing to do. I can guarantee you no one would advise you to do this it is not only stupid it is moronic!

Having enough equity in your home that an investment with a 4% draw is more than the premium would be.

Not having insurance and not doing anything to get is is stupid and moronic!!! Wanting others to pay more so you can have it is a moronic and stupid idea!!!!

There are people who plan and people who let life do what it wants. The planners always come out ahead. Planners reevaluate and change course when needed the others get burned over and over again and nothing improves. Planners can both steer their future and enjoy the present at the same time.

If I decided or my DH decided or better even both of us we wanted more fun and just quite our job and then lost our insurance and let you pay more in taxes I am sure all that compassion you say you have would be used to tell me how I could have avoided this.

We are extremely generous to the less fortunate but we will not be told and taxed to pay for ones we feel could do more and not try to stop it. Once a person is doing what they can they we will be the first one to step forward.

I believe that the government is the last resort and only after one has exhausted all avenues.

A person I know was having a problem two weekends ago. She let it go even when it was obvious what the problem and solution was. She drug her feet and drug her feet and then 10 days later the problem had to be taken care of at 3xs the cost of 10 days before. That was a result of not wanting to face the reality two weeks ago. DH and I are proactive and were willing to help her 2 weeks ago but her inactivity have cost her a huge amount of money.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

removed

 

[creativeamanda]

As a child I did not have insurance. Not that my parents could not afford it, but that they never made it a priority. I think when you look at the uninsured, that a big slot of them come into this category. Not all, but enough of a percentage to make it significant.

Everyone in my family has insurance now. In fact, in the past few years as a teacher, I've only run into 1 student with no insurance. He got sick and the community did fundraisers to pay for his medical bills. Our problem with healthcare today is specifically that we are so disjointed and not in good communities anymore--heck there are people who have never spoken to their neighbors--that it is going to take something like government sponsored healthcare to care for these kids without insurance. Not saying I agree with it (I don't), or that I like it (I don't), just that sooner or later, something is going to have to give.

 

[wdwfan16]

OMG your sister has no insurance? When is she and her family if she has one moving in with you?

She is welcome to live here and she lives with my parents. Try again. I live what I type. When a friend got married last summer we offered her and her groom a place to live if they did not find a job or found one in our area. They got a job in another area.

We have also paid many of her medical bills. My parents have paid for some of her medical bills too. We also pay for some of her college.

 

[wdwfan16]

As a child I did not have insurance. Not that my parents could not afford it, but that they never made it a priority. I think when you look at the uninsured, that a big slot of them come into this category. Not all, but enough of a percentage to make it significant.

Everyone in my family has insurance now. In fact, in the past few years as a teacher, I've only run into 1 student with no insurance. He got sick and the community did fundraisers to pay for his medical bills. Our problem with healthcare today is specifically that we are so disjointed and not in good communities anymore--heck there are people who have never spoken to their neighbors--that it is going to take something like government sponsored healthcare to care for these kids without insurance. Not saying I agree with it (I don't), or that I like it (I don't), just that sooner or later, something is going to have to give.

I work with a consultant to our (I do not own it) company who makes over $200K and he is so proud that he does not pay for insurance. He could have it but prefers to have a million dollar home. Yes that is what he paid for it.

We have all children insured now with the CHIPS/SCHIPS programs (I think it goes by another name now). They do not deserve to be hurt by the stupidity of their parents. The guy above does have a son. I am not for paying for the parents. Kids fall and break bones. They should not suffer.

We need more portability of insurance (like a 401K for insurance) that is not tied to your employer and tort reform. That is where we need to start not adding billions to the national debt that those kids will never be able to pay off.

 

[ZachnElli]

Having enough equity in your home that an investment with a 4% draw is more than the premium would be.

Not having insurance and not doing anything to get is is stupid and moronic!!! Wanting others to pay more so you can have it is a moronic and stupid idea!!!!

There are people who plan and people who let life do what it wants. The planners always come out ahead. Planners reevaluate and change course when needed the others get burned over and over again and nothing improves. Planners can both steer their future and enjoy the present at the same time.
If I decided or my DH decided or better even both of us we wanted more fun and just quite our job and then lost our insurance and let you pay more in taxes I am sure all that compassion you say you have would be used to tell me how I could have avoided this.

We are extremely generous to the less fortunate but we will not be told and taxed to pay for ones we feel could do more and not try to stop it. Once a person is doing what they can they we will be the first one to step forward.

I believe that the government is the last resort and only after one has exhausted all avenues.

A person I know was having a problem two weekends ago. She let it go even when it was obvious what the problem and solution was. She drug her feet and drug her feet and then 10 days later the problem had to be taken care of at 3xs the cost of 10 days before. That was a result of not wanting to face the reality two weeks ago. DH and I are proactive and were willing to help her 2 weeks ago but her inactivity have cost her a huge amount of money.

I'm so happy for you that all your plans have worked out and nothing major has ever thrown a major wrench in your plans, truly I am happy for you! I am a HUGE planner, but my personal motto is "I plan, God laughs" because that is the way my life has turned out. I really wish I could make a plan and have it work out, but it just hasn't happened that way for us. Major things happen in people's lives that they can't just "steer" around. I hope you never have fork in your road that you can't steer around!

 

[luvsJack]

Having enough equity in your home that an investment with a 4% draw is more than the premium would be.

Not having insurance and not doing anything to get is is stupid and moronic!!! Wanting others to pay more so you can have it is a moronic and stupid idea!!!!

There are people who plan and people who let life do what it wants. The planners always come out ahead. Planners reevaluate and change course when needed the others get burned over and over again and nothing improves. Planners can both steer their future and enjoy the present at the same time.

If I decided or my DH decided or better even both of us we wanted more fun and just quite our job and then lost our insurance and let you pay more in taxes I am sure all that compassion you say you have would be used to tell me how I could have avoided this.

We are extremely generous to the less fortunate but we will not be told and taxed to pay for ones we feel could do more and not try to stop it. Once a person is doing what they can they we will be the first one to step forward.

I believe that the government is the last resort and only after one has exhausted all avenues.

A person I know was having a problem two weekends ago. She let it go even when it was obvious what the problem and solution was. She drug her feet and drug her feet and then 10 days later the problem had to be taken care of at 3xs the cost of 10 days before. That was a result of not wanting to face the reality two weeks ago. DH and I are proactive and were willing to help her 2 weeks ago but her inactivity have cost her a huge amount of money.

Excuse me???? Stupid and moronic is not being able to understand where anyone else is coming from. Stupid and moronic is assuming (what is it again they say about assuming?) that everyone can live like you do. You sit there and assume you know the answers for everyone, you do not. It sounds to me like the people on this thread that are saying they do not have insurance are doing the best they can at the moment.

When has anyone said one thing about anyone quitting a job or having more fun. You seem to have it firmly planted in your head that those without insurance are running around going to Disney every other week and not paying for insurance. Open your eyes to the real world. That is not what is happening.

I keep saying that my situation is not even the reason I believe we should have universal health care. Its about the thousands that may never be able to afford insurance or health care. Its about the young couples I see coming in my office that are sick but cannot afford to go to the doctor. Its about the thousands that go without preventive health care because they cannot afford it. It the children that go to school and child care sick because their mom cannot get medicaid or state assistance but cannot afford insurance or doctor visits either.

What is your answer for them?

They cannot afford it. They are paying for the basics of life: food, shelter and clothing. They have nothing left for health care. Not everyone can move in with family members--maybe they don't get along, maybe their family doesn't have the room, there are a million different reasons. Not everyone has something cheaper to go to for shelter. A one room apartment or renting a room in someone's home is about as cheap as your going to get and there are those in that situation that still cannot afford insurance.

You sit there in your glass house and you toss stones at people about what they should or should not do--and you don't have a clue.

I hope and pray that ivory tower you live in never comes crumbling down, but you seriously need a wake up to reality. It is too easy to say what you would do, but until you are face with the reality of the situation you have no idea what you would do. When you are trying to survive your priorities will change. When you have to decide between the light bill, medicine or getting your kids something to eat; your priorities change. And until you have been faced with that choice you don't have a clue what choice you would make. I can name several young couples who make that choice every day and they are out working and trying to find more work and trying to go to school; and yet they still cannot afford health insurance.

Until you have walked a mile in their shoes, you have absolutely no business judging anyone for anything or deciding what their choices should be.

 

[Blue.Fairy2]

Why is it so hard for some to read and understand this one statement??

We are supposed to be the strongest nation in the world and we cannot even take care of our own citizens.

exactly and health care is only 1 issue

 

[wdwfan16]

I'm so happy for you that all your plans have worked out and nothing major has ever thrown a major wrench in your plans, truly I am happy for you! I am a HUGE planner, but my personal motto is "I plan, God laughs" because that is the way my life has turned out. I really wish I could make a plan and have it work out, but it just hasn't happened that way for us. Major things happen in people's lives that they can't just "steer" around. I hope you never have fork in your road that you can't steer around!

Would you consider being a cancer survivor major? Well I am and I still plan. This is why I said " Planners reevaluate and change course". The cancer made it more obvious to me that one needs to have insurance over all else. Do you think my DH would rather a home and two kids but no wife over a wife and two kids but no house? Some without insurance seem to think so.

Some here have paid off homes and yet cannot seem to pay for insurance. Why?

 

[wdwfan16]

Excuse me???? Stupid and moronic is not being able to understand where anyone else is coming from. Stupid and moronic is assuming (what is it again they say about assuming?) that everyone can live like you do. You sit there and assume you know the answers for everyone, you do not. It sounds to me like the people on this thread that are saying they do not have insurance are doing the best they can at the moment.

Go back and read BF2's stuff and you will see she has a paid for home, rental properties and cannot afford insurance. Do you really believe this?

Its about the young couples I see coming in my office that are sick but cannot afford to go to the doctor. Its about the thousands that go without preventive health care because they cannot afford it. It the children that go to school and child care sick because their mom cannot get medicaid or state assistance but cannot afford insurance or doctor visits either.

What is your answer for them?

They cannot afford it. They are paying for the basics of life: food, shelter and clothing. They have nothing left for health care. Not everyone can move in with family members--maybe they don't get along, maybe their family doesn't have the room, there are a million different reasons. Not everyone has something cheaper to go to for shelter. A one room apartment or renting a room in someone's home is about as cheap as your going to get and there are those in that situation that still cannot afford insurance.

You sit there in your glass house and you toss stones at people about what they should or should not do--and you don't have a clue.

I hope and pray that ivory tower you live in never comes crumbling down, but you seriously need a wake up to reality. It is too easy to say what you would do, but until you are face with the reality of the situation you have no idea what you would do. When you are trying to survive your priorities will change. When you have to decide between the light bill, medicine or getting your kids something to eat; your priorities change. And until you have been faced with that choice you don't have a clue what choice you would make. I can name several young couples who make that choice every day and they are out working and trying to find more work and trying to go to school; and yet they still cannot afford health insurance.

Until you have walked a mile in their shoes, you have absolutely no business judging anyone for anything or deciding what their choices should be.

I was born to a teen high school drop-out and her high school boyfriend. They did get married. I know all about it. We lived with extended families and all that I have talked about. I have many older relatives who were dirt poor (dirt floors in the homes). So I know and I would not let that happen to me. DH came from a middle-middle class family whose parents died when he was in his 20s.