Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

TheMastersNemesis

(10,602 posts)
Tue Jan 10, 2017, 07:54 PM Jan 2017

No Matter Your Age Illness Or Accident Can Strike Without Warning. OUR JOURNEY THRU ILLS.

I am going on 73 and my wife 69. Since 2014 we have had the following health care events. In 2014 I lost my foot to staff. Bill $250,000 plus including 3 prosthetics at $8,000 - $10,000 each. In August 2015 wife has hip replacement $74,000. In April 2016 Prius almost T boned by driver making illegal turn. Wife minor injuries but still needed to see doctor. Car $5,000 damage.
Now November 2016 wife diagnosed with heart valve defect that will need valve replacement in the future. Lord knows the cost of open heart surgery.

I am diabetic and have been since 2003. I am under control but must take meds and watch diet. OK at this point. But require consistent access to medical care.

Now we both have been active and have been in good health for many years. Never really needed a lot of medical. Thankfully we are both on Medicare and regular insurance with modest copay. Our medical events have come from nowhere even though we have taken care of ourselves.

I also know a Kaiser doctor who has been fighting melanoma, & lymphoma. He has has had surgery, stem cell transplant and is now in immunotherapy after recurrence.

Now we would all be up the creek with no access to health care. We are lucky so far, but what about the probably 100,000 Americans who have already perished due to having no health care since Obama took office.

We need more access to healthcare and not less. NO GOP PLAN WILL EVER WORK. PERIOD.

1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
No Matter Your Age Illness Or Accident Can Strike Without Warning. OUR JOURNEY THRU ILLS. (Original Post) TheMastersNemesis Jan 2017 OP
It's very easy to think it won't happen to you -- until it does. pnwmom Jan 2017 #1

pnwmom

(108,925 posts)
1. It's very easy to think it won't happen to you -- until it does.
Tue Jan 10, 2017, 08:15 PM
Jan 2017

I landed in the hospital in my twenties due to a life-threatening pregnancy complication. What a shock. I realized then that I'd been unconsciously thinking that the world was divided into healthy people and unhealthy people, and I was one of the former. But that pregnancy taught me that anyone can end up crossing that line at any point.

Some years later, an acquaintance broke his neck and ended up a quadriplegic -- that was another wake-up call.

Any young person who thinks they don't need insurance because they're healthy is deluded -- especially if they ever get in a car. Young people may have fewer illnesses, but they're more likely than older people to suffer serious injury in an accident.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»No Matter Your Age Illnes...