People without health insurance don't...

[Mojambo]

I find myself beginning an awful lot of sentences that way over the last couple of years. Any time anybody asks me if I want to do something I have to consider the potential health risks behind it before I say yes.

From everything to pick up basketball (Afraid I'll roll that ankle over and be hobbling around work for the next 2 months because I can't even afford crutches) to hiking, biking or lifting weights at the gym. These are all things that I would like to do, in many cases I used to do, but now I simply can't afford the risk that comes with these activities.

Just lately I've been realizing that being uninsured is about more than just being afraid that you'll be one of the unlucky people who gets cancer, it's also about the hallowing out of a person's life.

Heck, even just last week at my nephew's birthday party someone offered me some cotton candy and I found myself saying, "People without dental insurance don't eat cotton candy."

So if you're uninsured finish the sentence.

What don't you do because you don't have health insurance?

[TomInTib]

1. When I was uninsured, I never gave it a second's thought.

But, then, my motto has always been, "Sure, why not?".

[Mojambo]

2. You're a braver (or perhaps more reckless) fellow than I

Of course I don't have sick days either. I don't get to work I don't get paid.

A simple injury that kept me on my back for more than a day or two would literally make me homeless.

[TomInTib]

8. Nah. Just too dumb to think about it.

Added to the fact that I always figured that if I spent too much time worrying about anything, I would probably never see the trash truck that would hit me while I was distracted.

[Greyhound]

7. LOL!

me too...

:rofl:

[greenvpi]

3. It's not all bad

You keep yourself from doing risky, useless things like playing sports which frees-up time for better pursuits. And, you eat better to take care of your teeth. That doesn't sound like much of a downside.

After my employer stopped proving health insurance to all but the top few employees, I no longer jay walk. I got hit by a city cop here last April. He didn't stop for a red light before turning right. I was about 5' from the crosswalk so I got ticketed for jaywalking while I was laying on the ground in pain. To further hurt me the asshole cop kicked me in the knee because I politely asked him for help to get to the curb so I could call someone to come and get me. I asked that he not call an ambulance because I wanted my own ride to a doctor rather than the ER, but he did so anyway. That ended-up emptying my savings to pay for the out of pocket costs. Now without health insurance I'm damn careful crossing the twenty intersections I do each day while walking to/from work.

[Vinca]

4. I'm uninsured and I am unable to exercise - running, treadmill, etc. -

because of an untreated muscle injury 3 years ago. I can't walk more than a couple of blocks without pain. Fortunately - or unfortunately, as the case may be - I'm self-employed and can manage my own activities. Even if I could afford to consult a doctor, at this point I wouldn't because "just in case" we get some kind of health plan out of the next election, I don't want any record of a pre-existing condition. It sucks.

[Jamastiene]

5. There are a LOT of things I don't do because I don't have it.

It really does affect your life very deeply, more than any polls or think tanks could ever possibly "estimate."

[sammythecat]

6. ...eat beer pretzels.

[Warpy]

9. ......get any care that provides either early diagnosis or prevention

of serious illness.

That one has been the hardest one for me to deal with over the past 20 years.

My illness already prevented me from skydiving and snowboarding.

[stranger81]

10. on behalf of my late mother: LIVE

Mom died in 2003 just months after she lost insurance -- didn't have the funds to go to the hospital for pneumonia, which ultimately killed her.

[Mojambo]

12. Well, now I feel a little awkward about bitching about not being able to play basketball

So sorry about your mother.

:hug:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. trust mainstream medicine

and use alternative therapies that are better and cheaper.