My Obama/Democrats meltdown

[tpsbmam]

I had a meltdown this week. Edited to add the meltdown part: I was literally sobbing, screaming, yelling, swearing up a storm.....a true meltdown. After yet another hospitalization I can't afford, I came home and checked into the high risk pool hoping against hope that it might give me an out, some way of getting the healthcare coverage I desperately need.

Let me backtrack. I'm disabled -- MS has left me in a wheelchair and with too many disabilities to continue to work. It's too bad -- I loved my work, I was good at it, and I spent many years in school learning my trade. But, life throws us unanticipated punches and we just have to buck up and deal with them as best we can. So I did. Then my kidneys decided to start failing (due to an MS thing) -- not on dialysis but I could be any day.

While I worked, I did the responsible thing and built up a pretty healthy IRA -- it would have done me well at retirement. Sadly, retirement came way earlier than I anticipated. Best laid plans, kaput. So I'm now living very carefully off of the small income my IRA affords me -- not much, but hopefully if I continue to live carefully, it'll last me the rest of my life. With all of my health problems (there are a couple of others) and looking at my financial situation, I'm frankly hoping that won't be more than about 10 years.

So, because of my IRA, I'm ineligible for Medicaid. And I was refused disability and Medicare due to a preposterous loophole -- an attorney was no help. So I rely on local community health, a nightmare but at least I can afford meds (most of the time) there.

So back to the high-risk pool. Yippee! I qualify and I can join it!! For a mere $397 a month with a $5000 deductible (the cheapest I could get) which supposedly includes the subsidy. Okay then, let me see......if I don't pay my electric bill, let my Internet go, cut back to eating once a day, give away the only 2 things that are making me happy at this moment (my 2 precious 13 pound dogs), and figure out how to write the next bestselling great American novel to be published in a month......well, gee, I can then afford to join the much vaunted high risk pool!!!

I contacted my piece of shit Congressman Shuler for help. Never heard a damn thing back. Big surprise there. :sarcasm:

Say hello to a newly minted Independent. I've had it. I've had it with the bragging about the "history making" healthcare bill, among other "history making" sell out bills. I've had it with the dozens of DINOs that populate Washington now. I've been a Democrat for over 3 decades. No longer.

Please let them be tough about the fines for going uninsured, the fines I along with thousands of Americans will refuse to pay. Please, please let them -- I'd love to be one among many joining a press conference to talk about this bullshit healthcare fiasco and who is responsible for it.

And yes, I include Obama in among those responsible for it. Selling out to big Pharma, the insurance industry, & private hospitals helped get us here.

I've recently seen some pro-Obama posts here. Good. I'm glad he still has some supporters. I'm just not one of them. Yes, I did have some hope when we had a Democratic president & Dem majority. Hah. The joke is on me.

I hate to see what happens when citizens find out what a crock of shit this healthcare bill has left us. I've seen some of it mentioned here from people who've already checked and discovered that their insurance is unaffordable. I knew it when this bill passed and it's now been confirmed for me.

Crap on me for venting and dumping on Obama, agree, whatever......just needed to vent!

[xchrom]

1. Very sorry for your difficult time. Nt

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. What? You're disappointed? You're supposed to be grateful at laying out ONLY 10K a year

because that's still better than the 30K before "reform". Don't you get that?

Like I keep asking people who say that sort of stuff - does it really matter if you jump from 10 stories or 20 stories if the end result is that you're dead all the same?

If it's UNAFFORDABLE, it's UNAFFORDABLE, it doesn't really matter how unaffordable it is.

10K a year for a person who is officially ill is guaranteed to be a large percentage of income especially when the median income in America is around 50K. Don't we all have 20% of our income lying around for medical care?

I'm so sorry about your situation, but it's exactly the kind of example I've been posting and screaming about ever since it became obvious how little "reform" we were going to get. But hey, at least we preserved the private delivery systems. That's got to be good enough for now.

[Autumn]

3. Not going to give you crap,

have a :hug: . The joke was on us.

[truedelphi]

4. And those of us who get the joke, are not laughing much. n/t

[sandnsea]

5. Did you apply for your state subsidy?

You quoted the rate for someone 60 years old in the more expensive federal plan, the absolute highest possible rate for any individual.

Try This:

http://www.inclusivehealth.org/stateoption/subsidy.htm

[tpsbmam]

11. According to the state high-risk administrator

that was with any subsidy that could be given right now built in. I filled out the application anyway, but it seems like the program is tapped out for now. Supposedly there is more federal funding to come so we shall see. I don't have much hope at this point, but I'll keep at them.

[sandnsea]

19. Here are the subsidized premiums

http://www.inclusivehealth.org/stateoption/docs/Premium%20Rates%202010_HCTC.pdf

And it looks like the federal plan isn't always more expensive. Maybe you got the federal rate and the $5,000 state deductible mixed up.

I don't think the state subsidy relies solely on federal funding. You might have more luck contacting someone at the state level to push through more money.

And this is the temporary program. It's not the final program that will have the subsidies in place for certain. And the deductibles should be much less as well.

But if you're 60 and paying a $389 premium, well that's actually pretty cheap and what an unsubsidized Medicare premiums would be too.

We always needed to focus on the subsidies. That is the only way any kind of health care payment plan is going to be affordable for low income people.

[bobbolink]

54. "but I'll keep at them." Here you are, stressed to the max, little energy because of illness,

not much in life to make you feel like life is worth living, and you have to "keep at them".

:wtf: What I think is much, MUCH stronger than that, but.... :wtf:

Tell me whose kneecaps you want broken.... I'm in a mood! :nuke:

Give the critters a pat for me, and this is for you: :hug: :loveya:

[tpsbmam]

67. Thanks, my friend, and right back at'cha

:hug: It's all a battle these days and I just have to shine up my armor again. You too.

[femrap]

96. Am I right in saying

that IF you didn't have the IRA funds, you would be capable of getting Medicare?

This is what infuriates me, the Medical Industry demands that you give them your last cent and then you can get Medicare. Isn't that what they want? Is there any way that those who have a bit of money can hide it like the rich folks do in the Caymans???

Like setting up a charity or church where you get a salary? I don't know.

I hear about this regarding Nursing Homes for the elderly....you have to give them your last dime before you qualify for any help.

I wish I were French.

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. Go love your dogs for a bit...that helps me, but I have a cat.

:hug:

[tpsbmam]

99. Medicare I could get but for this preposterous loophole (which I'm still trying

to figure out how to fight). It's Medicaid that I'd have to divest myself of everything to get -- just not worth it. And yeah, you're right, people have to do this all the time with nursing homes. It's a disgrace. I wish I"d been born anything European or Canadian -- this country has become an embarrassment. A sad one.

[femrap]

103. Yes,

our country is a mere shadow of itself. Pathetic.

Take good care of yourself and your two friends.

[bvar22]

87. In every other "civilized" nation in The World...

Human Beings don't have to jump through all these hoops to get Health Care.

"A Uniquely American Solution".---President Obama
.
.
.
Indeed.


"If we don't fight hard enough for the things we stand for,
at some point we have to recognize that we don't really stand for them."
--- Paul Wellstone

[sandnsea]

105. Well yes, they do

If they're low income, injured, disabled, unemployed, they have to apply for whatever relief the country or province provides.

And if it's so easy to get single payer passed, why haven't you run for the Senate so it can get done?

[TBF]

122. Yes, he has MS, is over 60 and you want him to run for Senate?

Do you even read the drivel you spew? Unbelievable.

[Individualist]

127. "why haven't you run for the Senate so it can get done?"

What a disgustingly insensitive statement to make about someone in his condition. SHAME ON YOU!
:spank:

[truedelphi]

6. I am so very sorry that you are going through this.

Your whole spiel resonates through every bone and muscle in my being.

Our household lost its retirement nest egg when M. first became unemployed and we had to cough up one thousand a month on COBRA and take care of out of pocket costs and deal continuously night and day with the crap doctors that Kaiser provided us with. (And the insurance people, and the pharmacies, and on and on.) Meanwhile I cut back my work week to three days a week, as his illness had left him blind overnight (Sight is now recovered.)

Now our household is one of those nasty self serving and unaware households that didn't bother to put aside more than two thousand for their retirement (As the Big Media, Lying Sons of Bitches announce my age and wage group.)

If you ever wanna read on how sold out we are, see top entry in my journal for the history of the Big Rip Off, Sell Out Deal that was foisted on us by the Rahm back room "negotiations."

Keep calling on your Shuler. Call into his Washington Office. Call in the local office. Call night and day. Fib and say you heard that there was an advocate for the uninsured at his office. Ask when he is going to be in your district and explain to his local aide/intern that you want a one on one with him - and that it has to be a phone in, since you have MS. (Lyn Woolsey, who represents people in Sonoma and MArin Calif, always sees her constituents when they have a real need.)

I used to call Ted Kennedy's office (I live in Calif.) when I needed to know how to proceed, and the staff there always had real suggestions and help for me. Unlike any other Senator or Congress person, except for the incredible Lyn Woolsey, since about 1989.

But Teddy and his staff are no longer there.

[jaysunb]

7. Please let me know how the republican plan works out

for ya. :evilfrown:

[truedelphi]

8. It is the republican plan.

In fact it is much more republican than any plan that Nixon would have conceived.

Nixon went after the Big Companies when they did their price fixing back in the summer of 1973. Insurance companies all over the nation had to roll back their upticks in prices due to his passing laws regarding that. (I know - I worked at a very decent insurance firm and we had to roll back our prices. These happened to be the first increases we had ever insisted on. But ya know what -- we did not go broke rolling back our prices per his dictate.) Under Obama, the health insurance reform took so long that most insurers were able to put anywhere from 15 to 29% increases into their plans, with nothing being rolled back for the populace who are now mandated to buy the insurance from the same crummy insurers who brought us to the point where we needed reform.

The Current "Democrats" are more Republican than Goldwater for the most part.

It is just that the "Republicans" resemble nothing that was in existence at the time of Nixon - they have become these neo con "God-an-war-forever firsters" with strange notions of only the rich needing pensions, tax breaks or jobs.

[jaysunb]

34. You're right on all accounts

I still marvel at what passes as "liberal politics" theses days, but we are where we are. :shrug:

Eisenhower would be very electable as a Democrat by todays standards. Who da thunk it. :shrug:

Much has changed in these past 60 years, but the one constant has been the rights earth scorching crusade to turn back the " New Deal " and any of its offspring. Yet, we manage to barely hang on while moving the ball forward incredibly slow...for which we can thank St Reagan.
Just think, if we hadn't been so busy " drowning Government in a bathtub." we might just be talking about exporting our energy policies & technologies (Carter) augmenting and expanding social security and medicare ( Nixon) proper placement of the money we waste at the Pentagon--military industrial complex (Eisenhower)

But I digress..

Getting old is nice, but there's lots of regrets too. I just wish younger people had a better sense of history so their actions and anger could be properly channeled.

BTW, I'm very sympathetic to the OP'S plight.

[Steely_Dan]

35. You Are Particularly...

...right about the younger dems. I raised my daughter as a dem. But to listen to her today, you would not know it. Welcome to the NeoLib.

[truedelphi]

92. I grew up in the fifties and sixties.

My parents were Republicans. With my dad having fought some serious battles in WWII, he had great sympathy for people of color. He always said that when you need the next available foxhole, skin color isn't important.

So in that sense my household was a liberal one.

My parent's friends were for the most part Democrats.(We lived in Chicago, Republicans were about as rare as palm trees there.) The friends were Liberal Democrats. Are we doing anything this summer and maybe "should we go to Mississippi and march on Selma?" liberals.

Some of the kids of these Dems grew up to hold interest in several well known, very successful firms. They early on discovered the notion of raiding the worker's pension funds via the bankruptcy courts. The notion of Golden Parachutes for themselves and "So long, Sucker," for the workers.

So the fact that someone who is my own age and says they are a Dem doesn't impress me.

"What kind of Dem?", I want to know.

BTW, Eisenhouer had been asked again and again about having the war in Vietnam. He always said, "Show me the economic figures. How much will the war cost the American people?"

And when they showed him the numbers, he refused. This refusal allowed the nation as a whole to have the money to build the VA hospitals, community hospitals, community colleges, etc so the returning GI's could hold down jobs as tradespeople, have money from the GI bill, and go to college themselves.

[flyarm]

47. Nixon would be as well..he had a much better plan than this piece of shit! eom

[Bluebear]

12. That answer typifies the empathy factor here lately.

[Name removed]

25. Deleted message

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

[Bluebear]

27. "New" Democrats, ya know.

[flyarm]

49. + 1 million..you are totally correct! eom

[bobbolink]

56. Its all about the ponies.

How is yours doing, btw?

(The pony, that is.)

[Bluebear]

76. He ran away.

:silly:

[Raineyb]

22. If I called you the name you ought to be called my post would be deleted.

And in case you hadn't figured it out (and clearly you haven't) this IS a Republican plain.

[jaysunb]

26. Call away...

any name you want !

While I feel for the OP, misplaced blame is bad form.

BTW, I have been paying nearly 800.00 a month for health insurance for the last 3 years. Before most of my doctors went hi tech, my file folders were voluminous...I know about pain and misery first hand, but I'm not out placing blame on the wrong folks.

:evilfrown:

[Steely_Dan]

37. So, Let me ask you...

Is it okay with you that you pay $800.00/month?

[jaysunb]

40. I felt like I was raped.

But had to also feel lucky it wasn't 4x that much if it hadn't been a Cobra.

Finally old enough for medicare, but I still worry for those that are not so fortunate. (?)

Eventually we'll get to some sort of single payer/universal thing, but as has been the case, it won't be quick or easy.

[Raineyb]

44. You don't feel for the OP. You consider your team mentality outlook on

politics more important than the screwing over of actual human beings. There is a word for people like that.

[Forkboy]

51. There's lots of words for people like that. None good.

[bobbolink]

57. Ah, yes. The compassion fairly DRIPS from your well-chosen words.

The ponies! The Ponies! Dear God, Its THE PONIES!

[Donnachaidh]

70. still does not excuse the swine-ish response.

but typical one-upmanship *my dick's bigger than yours* response to someone else's pain.

Epic FAIL.

[Bluebear]

108. "While I feel for the OP" - No. You don't. Your first response was partisan & cold.

[emilyg]

28. No empathy eh?

[jaysunb]

32. Plenty of that

see post # 26

[liberation]

84. I think the problem may be that "empathy" does not mean what you think it does...

[bobbolink]

58. Empathy?

That isn't on the DLC, or, excuse me, New Democrat, platform.

Austerity measures, doncha know.

[flyarm]

46. What an ignorant statement..this is the republican plan! And has been their plan! wake up! eom

[donco6]

48. What a dick.

Yes, you.

[awoke_in_2003]

104. +1000. nt

[Stinky The Clown]

66. Still not up to the Es, huh?

When you get there, spend a few minutes reading and rereading "empathy".

[Donnachaidh]

69. what a truly empathetic response

selfish swine. :wow:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

73. WTF? Here is a fellow DUer telling us what a piece of crap the pre-existing conditions part of

the health INSURANCE bill is, and you snidely ask about the Republican plan?
If you didn't know already, we didn't only get the Republican plan but the Health Insurance industry's plan (they wrote it after all).

You should be ashamed of yourself.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

114. Hey you are the third person to make my ignore list

Liberals without conscience, you made the list dude.

[kiva]

9. Vent away, please.

It seems to be the only way to bring it home to some people that the acclaimed health insurance reform isn't going to solve the healthcare crisis.

"Worth all the nasty names..." http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8809176

My sympathy for your situation, and hope that a real reform comes into play that would help you.

[Bluebear]

10. I am so sorry for your pain.

I expect that people will tell you to leave now because you're "not a Democrat anymore", with no comment on the situation you are in. :hug:

[Zavulon]

13. I may not be far behind you.

The piece-of-shit health care "plan" that Obama rammed down our throats by way of back room deals, the one which at first wasn't a tax increase but now in the face of a court challenge suddenly is, fucking disgusts me. How anybody other than insurance companies can support that festering chunk of shit is completely beyond me.

If my taxes go up at the end of the year, I'll simply stop posting here and become an independent myself. On the right side, I'll spare you all by not leaving with a whiny "I'm leaving, beg me to stay" posts.

[tpsbmam]

14. Thanks all for your kind words & advice.

As for leaving now that I'm an Independent, I say if Bernie Sanders would be welcome here, then so should I be. I worked to elect this president and many of the Democrats currently in office, I retain the right to criticize them.

And thanks for the hugs -- those feel good right now! :-)

[nightrain]

15. knr. Thank you for posting your situation. I am so sorry to hear

how it is for you. Absolutely unconscionable that folks have to go without care, and can't afford the "reform". I know. I checked my state's uninsured pool for those with pre-exist...

It's $480/month for the premium with the lowest deductible of $500/year. Then the costs continue-- up to $3500 out of pocket, with only 80% covered for most services and approvals required for some mental health and substance abuse services ONLY with their providers. Whose providers? Oh, of course--Blue Cross.

I swear, it's no better, and probably more expensive than it was previously.

You are correct, this is crap. Pure and unadulterated crap. Total sell-out to corporations.

What a waste of money and time and effort to have promoted Obama for 08. Never again. And never again for my "New Dem" new legislator. I hope he goes down in flames. We don't need this kind of representation.

Yep, "crock of shit" perfectly describes it.

I wish you well...

[LoZoccolo]

16. Don't see how becoming an independent will help anybody.

If you can, feel free to explain.

[tpsbmam]

20. It helps me. And there won't necessarily be a change in my voting...

I can vote in primaries here as an Independent. I wouldn't have done it if I couldn't. But I can. And I'll most likely always be voting for Dems, as I have mostly in the past (there have been some instances where I thought the Independent was the better candidate, a la Bernie Sanders). It makes me feel better not to part of the Democratic Party right now. I didn't do it for anyone but me, and it felt damn good. Not much does these days.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

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

[LoZoccolo]

80. The only way?

:facepalm:

[bobbolink]

82. goodbye

none of it matters.

We aren't allowed to say anything here anhymore.

[LoZoccolo]

83. You threaten to make everyone's life miserable by letting Republicans win and I'm the bad guy?

Your post has this tone of "you better not mess with us", after you've messed with us.

[bobbolink]

88. Nice attack. Paranoid as hell, but... quite nice.

your personal attack stays, but you have me deleted.

You win.

Just remember your actions come Nov. Your attacks AREN'T going to win over the huge number of swing voters who are very disenchanted.

But, you win.

So long... I won't speak up anymore... YOU FUCKING WIN.

[liberation]

93. Well, it is more like coercion/blackmail than a direct "attack" IMHO>

The whole "if you don't take the crumbs the Dems throw your way, the GOP will send you to bed without dinner" is basically that: an attempt at blackmailing someone into compliance. Mostly due to the morally bankrupt nature of the "offer."

[LoZoccolo]

97. As if it didn't really happen in 2000. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

98. That is not true. n/t

[flyarm]

52. How has being a democrat helped people in medical need? They simply put, got the Republican Plan!

Shoved down their throats..all under the guise of Change and hope!

What a crock of crap..This is a tax on the poor..This is the republican wet dream! And the Corporate masters!

Empathy?? That went out the door with the new democrats!

This is the Republican plan..with a nasty old shredding ribbon tying it together.. ..

[bobbolink]

90. Apparently we aren't allowed to even say this anymore.

They fucking win.

We must be silent to keep them comfortable.

Fuck it all.

[Beacool]

17. After what life has doled out to you, you have all the right in the world to vent.

The healthcare bill should have been a great opportunity for the Democrats to get it right. Alas, they screwed the pooch. Nothing new there, plenty of Democrats in Congress killed the bill in 1993. Their egos couldn't handle having someone other than themselves drafting it.

As for now being an Independent, join the ever growing crowd. I officially became an Independent in June 2008. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I wish you all the best, hang in there!!!!

:pals:

[Raine]

18. You won't get crap from me, I'm on your side

(((((((((Big Hug))))))))) :hug:

[Vinca]

21. I hear you and sympathize completely. Apparently, the brilliant people

who cooked up the piece of shit plan didn't take into account the fact many people who need coverage for pre-existing conditions are not physically capable of generating enough cash to pay for the insurance company shakedown. How far are you from Medicare? It's just amazing how badly people are treated in this country. Step over the border to the north and you wouldn't have a worry in the world.

[tpsbmam]

29. I'm 10 years away. By then I'll most likely be dust and won't have to worry about it.

Pretty much what the Republicans planned all along -- if you can't afford to play the game their way, die. That's likely what will happen to me. Who knows....the future will be interesting, if nothing else.

[Vinca]

42. There is one thing people who discuss health care reform

never talk about. That is the "option" for many of us who cannot afford to play the game. You hope for death in 10 years and I hope if I get a horrible, painful disease I'll have the courage to kill myself. And this happens everywhere, every day in the "greatest country on earth." Hang in there. I was thinking about your story in the middle of the night. It's hard to imagine anyone with your condition not being able to get on disability. Maybe you should try another lawyer. What a situation.

[liberation]

86. Up in Canada he would still be worried, about the disease that is.

A sick person has plenty to worry about, a sickness like MS is enough to take all the energy and attention of the sufferer.

The problem is that in this country, you know the most "compassionate" nation on earth as the PR brochures love to croon, we force sick people to have to worry about their sickness AND having to worry how to afford treating the sickness. Something that nowhere else in the industrialized world happens.

We truly are a society of degenerates, and even in a site like DU you can see plenty of assholish responses to a post by a person dying slowly of MS (a fate I would not wish on my worst enemy). This is a country by capital, of capital, and for capital, period. A sick person unable to work does not contribute to the overall generation of capital, and a such he or she is a "dead weight" and they must hurry up and die ASAP. Same for the disabled, the elderly, etc, etc, etc.


This so called health care "reform" was written from the standpoint of capital preservation, not from the standpoint of what a humane health care system should look and behave like. As such, it makes perfect sense why the "team players" and PR spinners in this site have to resort to what amounts basically to emotional blackmail (appeals to that eternal boogieman the GOP, in a desperate attempt at playing the good cop/bad cop BS once more) to justify such policies.

[northernlights]

23. if you run out of IRA, then do you become eligible for medicaid?

Consider doing the "wrong" thing, spending what you need to spend now to care for yourself and have some enjoyment in life now. What would be the consequences? (I honestly don't know. I have no health insurance and lost my retirement savings to long-term unemployment before there were extensions beyond 9 months. I just take everything one day at a time.) Just take a look at that possibility, do the math, and see where it would get you.

Beyond that, no words of wisdom. Simply :hug: :hug: :hug:

[tpsbmam]

30. I just can't bear to go that route. As it stands, I can afford to live.....barely

but I can afford to live. Minus health care, of course. I used to work in healthcare and sat in on one too many meetings where this was advised. Not that it's bad advice, just not something I can contemplate doing......as was true for most of the people who faced the same situation. But it's not bad advice, just not for me.

THanks for the hugs. :-)

[Nite Owl]

24. I have to live on my IRA too

much earlier than planned. I had a nice sum, got out pretty near the top of the market but shit comes up, new roof, new furnace, college tuitions, healthcare bills needed etc.
I have insurance with no decuctibles but it's $600 a month(so my deductibles are paid upfront). The plans that they offer save them money not us. They have no clue what it is like to live a real life with limited income. I know this plan was bad from the start, it just is way too expensive---if you use it! Where do they expect us to come up with all those deductibles I don't know. Waste of taxpayer money going to straight to the healtcare complex. They don't listen to us at all, both parties.

Hope somehow things work out for you.

[tpsbmam]

31. Again, thanks for all of the hugs and support. Empathy goes a long way

toward making someone feel better. Hugs back and may all of us find our ways better through the coming weeks, months, years, and more!

:grouphug:

[mmonk]

33. I understand. Sorry your rep is Shuler. Might as well be a Republican.

My rep. is Price. Don't know if he could help out or not, but he is fairly progressive.

[ProgressOnTheMove]

36. Since about the Kennedy days most Democrat stayed at home, that's a long time and a lot of mess...

Sure this won't meet the needs of everyone but so many people for such a long time let the pendulum swing all the way to Republican crazy ville. There is still a long way to swing it all back. Remember Clinton only got in by a 3 way split. People let Democrats swing rightward as not turning up sends that message GOP is good. If so much time and damage has occurred, we have to allow a lot time and patience for repair, if would be great if it weren't the case but it is. One demographic stood in that fight back with the Deocrtic party the longest African Americans just statistically true, yes he still can.

[Steely_Dan]

38. The Nature Of Having....

us still deal with the Insurance Companies as a part of this so-called HCR bill is that greedy insurance companies will still try and get out of having to provide service. I recall seeing a documentary not that long ago about specially hired guns that the insurance company would use to comb through your original insurance application to find the slightest discrepancy and then deny you the coverage you need long after your were accepted. Do you think that this is going to stop? Not hardly.

I'm also concerned that we were told how transparent the process would be. Back room deals with insurance companies does not sound very transparent.

-P

[Hydra]

39. Welcome to the bottom

And I'm sorry to see you here with the rest of us, but pull up a chair. The company is good(for the most part) and the bullshit doesn't fly so well under the ratified atmosphere most of the upper realms breathe.

[pnwmom]

41. If you're old enough, how can you be refused Medicare? Sorry, but I'm confused. n/t

[pnwmom]

43. I'm very sorry about your situation. Just a suggestion, though.

If you thought you had a "healthy IRA" for your retirement . . . considering your health, maybe you should consider THIS time now your retirement. If, as a result, your IRA is more depleted at age 67 than you intended, at least you'll have social security and Medicare. So financially you might be better off than you are now.

[tbyg52]

45. No crap, totally agree.

I'm so sorry for your situation. Thank you for sharing the insight it gave you.

[pinto]

50. Have you applied for Soc Sec Disability (SSDI)?

Sounds like you would qualify with your medical complications and inability to work. It's worth a look / follow up. SSDI, toll free - 1.800.772.1213 (best to call between 7 - 8 AM Eastern, if possible, mid-day often has long wait times)

:hi:

[ohheckyeah]

63. That was addressed in the OP...

"So, because of my IRA, I'm ineligible for Medicaid. And I was refused disability and Medicare due to a preposterous loophole"

[tpsbmam]

65. That's what I got rejected from. Totally ridiculous loophole and the atty I

consulted said she'd fought it before and always lost. I'm going to keep plugging away, but it gets overwhelming and discouraging at times. We live in such a messed up country it makes me sick. I know I've been luckier than so many people on earth, so I sometimes feel embarrassed complaining. But I tell you, when you get smacked down so many times, it gets hard to remember for some moments that others are much worse off. It doesn't do my heart good to see others around me suffering -- it just makes me that much angrier. I'll slog my way out of this depressing miasma -- have before and will again. I have to for my own well being. But it does get to all of us sometimes -- this is becoming deeply personal for too many Americans. It may be stats & political games to some in DC, it's intensely personal for most of us these days.

[pinto]

81. Ah, I'm sorry. Missed that you were denied SSDI. You surely seem medically eligible, in my layman's

opinion. If you're up to re-applying I'd suggest that. No need for an attorney, just re-apply. The key, as you probably know from experience, is documentation, documentation, documentation.

I've been through the process. Hang in there.

Take care. :hi:

[Emit]

94. What is the loophole, if I may ask?

I work with persons with disabilities, many of whom we refer to SS for application for SSDI (or SSI if we think they qualify). They often get rejected in the first round of application, but we encourage them to keep applying.

If there is a loophole that we are not aware of, I would like to know. Thanks in advance for your response, tpsbmam.

I also want you to know that my best girlfriend is in a similar boat. She has MS, as well, and worked for the state for 10+ years so she was not eligible for SSDI. Instead, we worked hard to get her a medical disability retirement from her state job, but it pays so little and her costs for health insurance are so high. She does not qualify for Medicaid at the moment because she had a small inheritance and cannot meet the asset test.

I am watching this, closely, however, because I have read they have changed the asset test. I am hoping she will qualify for Medicaid as these get phased in in 2013:

Method for Determining Income for Medicaid Is Changing and the Asset Test Is Eliminated for Certain Populations
http://assets.aarp.org/rgcenter/ppi/health-care/fs185-health-reform.pdf

Bye-Bye Medicaid Asset Test*
http://theincidentaleconomist.com/bye-bye-medicaid-asset-test/

Good luck and I am sorry to hear this.

[tpsbmam]

113. Self delete -- I'm too tired right now and what I wrote made no sense at all...

I'll try to answer tomorrow. It has to do with "date last insured."

[Sheepshank]

53. I won't crap on you either

you have enough shit to deal with.

Just wanted to pass on a little piece of tangible information to try to work within the system. Many states do NOT look at fixed assets as part of a Medicare eligability. They merely consider the liquid assets you have access to, including retirement income.

Rather than piddling away your retirement savings and scrimping to stretch what you have, have you looked at the option of withdrawing the entire retirement fund, and using it to pay off your mortgage and/or remodeling your home to accomodate your illness/wheelchair etc? I know there may be several other issues wrapped up in this, but you would have one less bill to worry about and medical bills would be covered. While your day to day living may still consist of ekeing out a living on a minimum income, at least you would have something safe and secure for home and haven.

[area51]

55. I'm so sorry.

No one should have to suffer like this. :hug:

[flyarm]

59. self delete dupe in posting..

[flyarm]

60. self delete dupe in posting..

[flyarm]

61. You have all my thoughts and prayers..I remember a time here on DU when we had a fellow DU'er that

had no insurance..and people here gathered together and worked 24/7 to contribute to help him get the care and surgery he needed to try to save his life..too bad this place has digressed so much under the NEW DEMOCRATS and lost much of the empathy Democrats used to have..

Seems many of us OLD DEMOCRATS do remember what we used to stand up for..and what we said our values and principles ..WERE...saying and living them is two different animals..now I don't see this party as much different than the OTHER PARTY..of imbicles and complicit in the destruction of a once proud party of people who cared about people!

I am so sorry you are going through what you are..My heart aches for you and so many others who face what you face..with little to no compassion or help, from our governmet and from our fellow democrats.

Many of us did warn about this shit plan..but they make it all so complcated for many people to understand when they are pushing this shit through..how truly a piece of shit this Plan is and many of the legislature they push through is. Most people don't recongise the shit Until it is too late and it effects their lives directly.

For many who try to warn others..and educate others..it is like spitting in the wind..the propagandists who work for or are paid to propagandise for the Corporate masters..do everything in their power to make it almost impossible for people to understand how badly they are getting screwed.

And I do understand and have total empathy for you and what you are faced with..

I have a brother who was diganosed with the worst kind of Leukemia 2 months ago..and he is now out of work and undergoing Chemo as I type here..the hoops his wife has had to go through for insurance / medicare..anything to help them and for the health care my brother needs is horrific ..at a time when a family is facing the terror of a deadly disease.

I wish I could hug you and make it better for you..but Hugs don't pay for the medical care you need, and deserve!

Please vent all you need..there are still people here with a heart and who do care that you are going through this ...and there are still a majority of dems who do have empathy..most of us have retained our values..

Unfortunately there will always be bullies..which is how I see these New Democrats and propagandists..

take a look..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=388x23864#23865

The New Dems are still a minority , as are the propagandists.

You have my prayers and I do care what you are going through..I am an Old democrat..I still care..many of us do!!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

75. +1000! And flyarm

my thoughts go out to your brother and his wife and for what they must be going through right now. I am so sorry.

:hug:

[dogday]

110. ++1,000,000

I joined DU right at the time you speak of when everyone was contributing to try to save the life of another. I too long for those days, and am sad that they are gone.

[ohheckyeah]

62. I checked out the federal

high risk pool and it was more expensive than what I have. I pay $297 a month with a $3000 deductible with Anthem. The fed high risk pool was something like $500 a month with a $5000 deductible. Thanks for nothing, Dems.

[mike_c]

68. yep, this is the "historic reform" we got instead of "change we can believe in...."

Hang in there if you can, my friend. :hug:

[asdjrocky]

71. I so hear you. nt

[pgodbold]

72. A hug for you and the doggie duo. I am so sorry. nt

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

74. I hear you loudly and clearly and will keep you in my thoughts that there

will be eventually a good solution to assist you at this time in your life.

:hug:

BTW....I am 58 years old, have not had health insurance coverage in well over 10 years and not have been to see a doctor in as many years. I just can't afford to.

[panzerfaust]

77. Public Option. 'Universal' coverage.

What would have been wrong with that?

We are the richest nation on earth, and people should not be in the position that you are.

Where is the Change we voted for?

All the change seems to be ending up in the corporate pockets.

MS is so dreadful - also unpredictable. To add to your burden is the last thing the government should be there to do.

The safety-nets just keep dropping away.

[liberation]

89. We're not the richest nation on earth,

we're the nation were most of the selected few of the richest people on earth live.


Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig difference, ;-)

[awoke_in_2003]

106. "What would have been wrong with that?"

No profit- and that is the only important thing in this country.

[Capitalocracy]

78. My advice: Bail.

Seriously, if there's any possibility of doing so, take your IRA and move to a civilized country with public healthcare.

[liberation]

91. How exactly would the poster bail?

Which country is going to approve a permanent residency visa for a person with a terminal disease, unable to work, and with no family ties to the country?


The fact that we have to give advice to our sick that they should leave this country should be enough for people to start having an honest debate about what is the point of having a country, like the USA, if we will not be taken care of in our time of need. No, seriously what is the fucking point? Working all our lives to make other people richer and to pay up for eternal war? Is that fucking it... it doesn't sound like a great deal honestly. Not even the hollywood movies make it worth putting up with that "offer" of a shit deal if that is what this country has to offer to its inhabitants: work hard, fuck you if you can't.

[Capitalocracy]

101. I know

it makes us look really bad. Wikipedia has a world map showing countries with single payer or universal health insurance. Just look at that map and you'll see how pathetic we are.

Now, I live in Argentina, and I can say I think this guy would get away with moving here, as an example. Anyone can stay here as long as they want as a tourist if they leave once every three months, if he's able to do that, there's no problem. You can get an extension on your visa at the immigration office once on every visa, so if you can travel once every two months, you're fine and legal. And both the visa extension and a ferry ride to Uruguay cost less than $50. And you don't need any proof of any kind of citizenship or residence or anything, nobody is turned down for health care, and not just emergency room care but any surgeries you may need, any doctor visits, etc. Medications could be a problem, although I think there are some programs for that too, and they're cheaper than in the U.S. And if he wasn't able to travel, I don't think they'd make him leave. Health is a serious human right here. Plus, they're a little more forgiving in general about immigration stuff than the U.S. I am currently here illegally waiting on the last bit of paperwork I need for legal residence (I'm married to an Argentine woman, I don't meet the minimum income requirement to sponsor her immigration to the U.S., I accidentally let my visa expire by one day, got confused because sometimes they put 90 days and sometimes they put three months, which are two different time periods, still waiting on the FBI to send me the criminal record search for legal residence here) and they basically said don't worry about it, you're working on getting the papers, it's all good. There's a very small fine for an expired visa, and they're not even going to charge me for it.

They were talking about changing those laws to match the draconian measures imposed by the United States (which would only apply to people FROM the U.S., it would basically just be payback) but it never happened, they want the tourism I guess.

One drawback is that cost of living is pretty high here in Buenos Aires, but it's comparable to a lot of places in the U.S. and less than the cities there. The worst problem is the disparity between wages and cost of living, but if his IRA is enough to live on in the U.S., it will probably be enough to live on here, maybe not in Buenos Aires but maybe Mar del Plata or Pinamar, Pinamar is an inexpensive, nice little town by the ocean. Without oil, for the time being.

I know that it sounds crazy to suggest going and living illegally or as a permanent tourist in some other country, but I think it's preferable to not receiving medical care by far. I'm lucky in that my worst medical problem is a pretty significant case of asthma, but while things are really tough economically here and I'd rather live in the U.S. while I'm still young and fairly healthy, when I get on in years or if I ever have a health problem, if I were in the U.S. I would GTFO.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

100. I can't think of any country that would take a person with chronic medical needs, sad to say

I knew some people who tried to get into Canada on that basis about twenty years ago. Turned down immediately

The only possible option, and it's not an option for most people, would be moving to one of the Third World countries that happens to have good health care at a lower price than here.

[Capitalocracy]

102. It's not that bad an option. I live in Argentina

and I bitch and moan because I need to work and because I'm scared some chorro (thief) will think I'm a rich Yankee and kill me, but if I had a decent retirement income and medical problems, I'd rather live here than in the U.S.
(see my response to the above post)

[mstinamotorcity]

79. You are good

Everybody needs a good rant every now and then. And I know its frustrating trying to deal with health care issues.But keep your chin up and try not to get too discouraged. I guess the only thing worse right now in your eyes would have been having John McCain as president with you betcha Sarah Palin as VP. Feel Better!!!!!Smile I wish you the best.:hi: :hi: :hi:

[JaneFordA]

85. Do NOT blame you in the slightest

In fact, I respect you VERY much for making your stand and doing it with GREAT grace and dignity!

--Jane the Pain

[jwirr]

95. One very sad truth is that sometimes we are better off being poor.

Or at least poor enough for eligibility into various programs. The only thing I can suggest is to spend down - go on that vacation you have always dreamed of if you can. I lived in a senior highrise for a while and watched as seniors bought new cars, went on vacations, etc. so they could be more confident about their future. A sad state of affairs when you have to spend down your savings to be secure.

[dogday]

111. No truer words are spoken....

I could not of said it any better myself..

[Kalun D]

107. I Say

go under the table

friend of mine is retired and has a smallish income from an off the books source, can't get any more detailed than that. You should "spend" your IRA in a way that slowly trickles back off the books.

[TransitJohn]

109. Chess Move®

It sucks that you're a pawn. Best wishes.

[lib2DaBone]

112. I'm so sorry. I have a family member with MS.....and no insurance...

I'll go back to what I have said before... Mr. Obama sold us down the river with his phony health care reform.

Liz Fowler, CEO For Choicepoint Insurance Corporation wrote the Health Care Bill.

Max Baucus (Mr. two-tone wing-tips) then sucked out his greedy fucking share in the scam while Mr. Obama rubber-stamped the deal.

We all lost.. big time... except the insurance companies.. they never lose.

[defendandprotect]

115. Disgraceful situation after so much trust in this administration ....

and very much hope that things begin to improve for you --

but obviously not with much help from Obama!

[Divine Discontent]

117. wow... just reading these posts each week & one can see why it's not going to be easy for us to even

survive in this country with the massive evil that's going on in our names! This healthcare reform was a farce, they never should have agreed to these damned watered down ideas, and instead said TOUGH we won BIG time in November, and we're pushing through a national health plan, sorry about the hundreds of thousands that will lose their jobs with the ins. companies, but they can apply to work for the govt plan, and get unemp until then.

The corporations and banks run everything, and sadly, they appear to have too much control over what the WH and Congress do. Obama has done some good things, so has Congress, but in RELATION to the horrible ills that were perp'd on us by B*SH CRIME FAMILY, it is not nearly enough. I see this pres having a hard time getting reelected unless the GOP picks a nut worse than McCain. Otherwise, if it's Romney, I fear for this country falling COMPLETELY into a depression. I just wish the Dems would force the GOP to filibuster on major issues and get these things passed we need.

Obama's popularity with progressives is falling monthly... if he cares. We are losing our country, and the small potatoes efforts of correcting it aren't enough. We needed huge FDR type moves, and he was too timid at the onset, and didn't tell the GOP how it was going to be, and force them to fold. Instead he capitulated by giving them a voice - as if they deserved any voice after the disaster they brought forth.

[defendandprotect]

119. No one is going to make the mistake of going backwards . . . if we hate what's happening now ...

we even more hated what was happening under GOP --

and we were so much voting against those things that's it very tough now not seeing

Democrats turn this ship completely around -- and loudly rejecting what was!!

wow... just reading these posts each week & one can see why it's not going to be easy for us to even
Posted by Divine Discontent
survive in this country with the massive evil that's going on in our names!

Especially agree with those comments --

every day these wars and mayhem and death continue on -- financed by us -- I understand that

we are one way or another responsible for this evil. We need to shout it down and I think that

feeling is growing.

The health care is one of the saddest things of this administration --

And as aware as many of us on DU are of the personal harm being done in America for the

lack of a universal health care plan-- certainly Obama and his administration known even more

of the horrors of it. We should have had MEDICARE FOR ALL and no excuses --

BRIBERY is the key to what's happening in America and it's been going on for decades --

our government is near rotted out with it --

If we can't move Obama to the left, then we have to have another more liberal/progressive

candidate to run in 2012 --

Certainly the Democrats know about filibustering -- unfortunately they don't seem to know how

to wield power, either when they're the minority or the majority. Could that be by accident?


Immediately after the election, Obama moved in the wrong direction in selecting members of his

administration. I can't believe that was by mistake.

Most of what is going on isn't believable -- and that's what most of us are saying --

Enough!

[Divine Discontent]

128. so agree!!!

[Dawgs]

125. "we're pushing through a national health plan"

How the fuck were they supposed to that?

[Divine Discontent]

129. because the house would have been for it and if we had the leadership they could have said

"then filibuster!" to the GOP and forced them to do it, early on! Because in the first 6 months Obama had great leverage to get things done, yet, they had closed door meetings when supposedly they weren't gonna do that at all he said, and capitulated policy to get GOP to supposedly support a lesser plan - and the F**KERS didn't even vote for the damned thing! The health bill has some nice things in it, and it's horribly short from what most Democrats who put Obama into office wanted when voting for him.

[matt819]

116. I'm sorry for the fix you're in

Speaking of insurance costs.

Family of four here. Total insurance costs are $18,500 per year. Add to that various co-pays and uninsured costs of $3,000 per year for the past two years and the next three years (plus whatever else comes up). And, as with OP, deductible of $5,000. This is money that could be put into savings, or used to help grow our business, pay our real estate taxes, pay down a little more, if I like, on the mortgage, pay down a little more on cc debt. But, no. It goes to the insurance companies and medical providers who are gouging at every step of the way - a 3-hour ER visit a month ago cost about $2,500.

OP is right. We are seriously screwed when decent, hardworking, middle class Americans are squeezed in this way and when our elected representative, left and right, do nothing because, let's face it - they don't have to. Whether they're in for two years or 30 years, they get their perks and they head through that revolving door into the private sector where 6 and 7 figure paydays are routine, and they won't have to worry, ever again, about health care costs, the rest of us be damned.

And what's even more offensive is the number of independently wealthy people who are running for congress as populists who want us to believe that they understand our concerns and feel our pain. What a load of crap. We're on our own out here, and I can't point to anyone other than Alan Grayson who seems to grasp that.

[Divine Discontent]

118. I pray for you long life. Hang in there. My sibling has MS, and it took

a couple years to get on disability. They stripped away some of the benefits due to a budget crisis in our state, but without it, he'd be screwed as there's very little help from those with $ in our family. I read your post with sadness, how pitiful that this is what it's come to. Just remember, I think you are a strong person for fighting on, and I hope big changes come soon, because this country is headed off the cliff. :(

[upi402]

120. We had a great opportunity

and then we discovered we were duped. I'm angry for you, and very soon for me and my loved ones.

No, I'm furious, and unlike many here who want you to shut up and suffer in smiling silence... I know who is to blame for our trouble. Mostly it's the "don't worry, be happy" crowd of chickens who just love their Colonel Sanders.

[grantcart]

121. Good luck on your fight with MS - you 'picked' a hard opponent to fight

keep fighting and never give up your determination inspires others.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

123. Those of us who knew going in --

that the health insurance reform bill being peddled was crap feel your pain. :( Your story is exactly why I was against the bill 100%. And yours will, sadly, not be the last story like this we hear as this monstrosity goes into full effect.

My breaking point came with the opening of new offshore drilling areas. Simply unforgiveable in my book. There are so many knives in my back from the past 18+ months. :( From here on in, I refuse to help a party slit my throat. It just is not going to happen.

I understand the whats and whys of what you did. It is a goddamned shame the Democratic Party has let it get to this.

[Dawgs]

124. So, what could have the Democrats done differently that could have passed the Senate?

Seems like you're shitting on the one party that will ever making a difference.

I feel bad for you, but your down time has seemed to cloud your judgement.

[mdmc]

126. I am about 8 steps behind you

I can still work but cannot afford the medical treatment that will keep me off of disability.