Using stories from real life to make the existential fight for Medicare for All real to all

[egbertowillies]

I had not heard from my friend P for a few weeks. She is a local activist with a seemingly non-activist pedigree. I am not even sure what her stance is on Medicare for All.

I knew the doctors diagnosed P's husband with cancer. But his prognosis was excellent. She had continued working her local pages and kept up with her activism work. But then, suddenly, she sent out a note stating that she needed to turn over her political pages to a new caretaker. A local political operative saw the notice.

"Egberto, did you know that P is backing down?" he asked.

"No, but I will contact her right away," I replied. "We can't lose her in this movement."

This morning we met at my local Starbucks, where many in the community keep a conversation going on our body politic with people of every stripe, ideology, and socioeconomic background. She said she had been sick herself, adding to the difficulties caused by her husband's illness.

And then she said something that made my blood boil.

https://egbertowillies.com/2019/06/06/medicare-for-all-stories/

[Stonepounder]

1. And just for the record...

I am on what is usually called 'Medicare Advantage' where an insurance company takes the money that Medicare normally deducts from your Social Security check each month and provides you with a better insurance plan than straight Medicare.

It doesn't cover 100% of your medical bills, but realistically, it comes close. Back in January I had a lung biopsy and was in the hospital for 4 days in a 'not quite' intensive care ward in a private room. You can imagine the bill to someone without insurance. Between the negotiated price my insurance had worked out with the hospital and the share they paid, my total bill was $850.00. Once or twice I've had to get 'prior authorization' for something or another, but I've always been able to get the authorization. When my doctor told me that I had to go on a medication that I would be on for the rest of my life, he told me that the retail cost of the med was $95,000/year! But that he had already talked to my insurance company and got them to approve the meds. Between what my insurance pays and a grant that I will get annually from the mfgr of the meds, my cost for the meds is $0.

This is why we need a Medicare-for-Anyone-Who-Wants/Needs-It. It is a shame and a disgrace that people in the richest country in the world are dying because they can't afford to get the treatment necessary to save their lives!

[area51]

2. If you have time,

please take a look at the proposed legislation for comprehensive Medicare for All; it expands what's currently offered with Medicare.

[Stonepounder]

3. Unfortunately, HR 676 (Medicare for All) no longer exists.

The House did pass an HR 676 bill this session, but it had nothing to do with health care, rather it was a NATO Support bill. It sort of looks like Health Care for All has gone back to the drawing board. See:

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2019/01/22/single-payer-gold-standard-hr-676-rest-peace

The original Health Care for All was a wonderful idea, but evidently got lobbied to death and the version that they are working on, behind closed doors, is a watered down version.

<sigh>