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Health Care Crisis in America

Published Tuesday, September 2, 2008 by bloggerblognet83460 | E-mail this post

The story centered around a twenty-something year old woman from Illinois who fought and won her battle against mouth and throat cancer. She said that when she fought cancer, she believed it to be the battle of a lifetime. Unfortunately, winning that battle only led to another, equally formidable opponent. Though she had health insurance, her share of medical bills has caused her to lose her home, deplete her retirement account and file for bankruptcy. The still growing pile of bills fills a cardboard box and she still requires treatment.

So there she sits, still in her twenties and a cancer survivor. She feels completely hopeless about her financial future. Officially bankrupt, she has no hope of ever fulfilling her financial obligations, becoming a homeowner again or having a decent credit rating. As she put it, "You are all just one cancer diagnosis away from bankruptcy."

What a sad commentary on our country that hard-working citizens who HAVE health insurance can be ruined by the unfortunate diagnosis of a health problem.

MS patients usually live a near-normal life span. However, we are plagued by a myriad of symptoms, leaving us partially or completely disabled, and unable to work full time. When my COBRA runs out in a couple of months, I will be in a difficult position.

As a hard-working, tax-paying citizen, I stand to lose all because of the unfortunate diagnosis of MS. Only partially disabled, I don't qualify for disability. Being middle class, I do not qualify for any assistance whatsoever. In the state in which I live, an insurance company must offer me some type of medical coverage, but there is no cap on the price they charge. My MS medication costs $16,000 annually, and no generic exists.

Meanwhile, doctors insist on tests and repeat tests. Try this medication, then try that one. You are compelled to submit to expensive procedures without knowing in advance whether your insurance company will cover them, partially or at all. Neither can you comparison shop. Months after a procedure you may still receive bills from providers you never saw, with no explanation for the amount due. Ask for an explanation and it's voice mail hell and collection agency letters for you.

I am just one of the millions of people in America facing a health care crises. It's time to stop putting our heads in the sand and admit that, as a country, we've got it all wrong. The question is, are we going to do something about it? Those of you still healthy...those of you with good insurance policies...how secure do YOU feel?

Mandy Crest

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