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In reply to the discussion: Key Democrats aim to craft a health-care public option bill as Biden excludes it from recovery plans [View all]PatrickforB
(14,570 posts)doing the right thing. And, no, I am not levying any kind of 'criticism' at Democrats. But, you know, healthcare is a very touchy issue with me, because I hate that this country is the only one in the world that has health care debt, and health care bankruptcies. Why do we have this situation at all, Brooklynite? Why are millions of Americans without health coverage? Why, when I go to the doctor, no matter how much pain I'm in or how serious the problem, they have to wheel me through accounting to make sure I can pay?
And why does my employer provided coverage suck so much? Why do we have crummy, rationed healthcare with financially cripping copays?
So, please do not put words in my mouth. I like Biden fine and think he is a transformative president. I generally like all the Democrats, and of course would never, ever have the temerity on this site to criticize any of them over healthcare. Far be it from me. But you know what? My good friend still is having problems getting the lifesaving drug for his sick kid. And my wife is still in pain. And I have deferred stuff I need for the sake of paying for my wife. Why is that? Why do we have a healthcare system that sucks so bad.
Yeah, the ACA was a start. But only because pressure from the health insurance companies, which are governed by shareholder profits as opposed to the best interests of the patient, felt profit was far more important than providing a national healthcare program.
I will tell you something a dear friend told me decades ago that is still (sadly) true today - America is a great place to live, unless you are old, poor, sick, or different. Then it isn't so good.
And I do call my two US Senators every week on this issue. And my representative. Because I am STILL profoundly dissatisfied with healthcare in this country. And I definitely think I have the right to say that, so if you want to flag this because it seems like I'm 'criticizing,' then go ahead.