Welcome to the Carnival of MS Bloggers, a bi-weekly compendium of thoughts and experiences shared by those living with multiple sclerosis.
"Health Reform Edition"
"Health Reform Edition"
by Blinders Off at Living With MS
When is it going to stop…?
My healthcare coverage was the best to have, but over the years, benefits are slowly disappearing, while my premium is slowly rising. Out of pocket expenses were something I did not dread, but I dread going to get a prescription. Co-pays are steadily increasing. So far, I am still one of the fortunate ones to afford my drugs to fight MS… What about the ones who cannot afford to take the expensive Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Rebif, and Tysabri to slow the progression of multiple sclerosis.
DMD’s cost more than what many Americans make a year, mine in particular cost $1700.00 a month. I will not be surprise if day come when my health insurance carrier find a way for me to pick up most of that cost. If that day comes, I will be like many other Americans deciding between purchasing my prescriptions over purchasing food to live.
I am pissed off; I am sick and tired of our legislators the Democrats and Republicans bullshitting when it comes to my life. The Dems and the Repubs want American people to believe they are working hard in our best interest to fix the healthcare crisis.
I do not give two rats asses which party comes up with a solution for the healthcare crisis here in America. The writing on the wall started when HMO’s came to America in the early 80’s. Healthcare has been changing and rising at the disadvantage to the American people since the HMO white horse rode into a town near you.
To fix the healthcare crisis here in America, it is time for Americans to demand the same coverage Congress receives. I plan to write my representatives demanding the opportunity to have the coverage they receive. It is time for all Americans to DEMAND IT!
I remember then candidate for President Obama saying during his campaign, "Americans deserve the same coverage offered to Congress." Therefore, if Congress is having a problem putting together legislation to offer us the same coverage they have because of the Democrat and Republican bipartisanship bullshit. The American people need to remind them whom they work for during their election year, and VOTE their asses out of office, and put some fresh blood in...which is what Americans should do to kick start fixing what is wrong in America!
Remember they are in Washington to be working for us and not for the Insurance and Pharmaceutical industry political donations and perks.
by Sherry of Word Salads the Demyelination of Me
Wait. Wait. Wait!!!!! I've been talking about Medihell for some time and I still have to DEAL WITH IT when I get home. I haven't gone back to Social Security to tell them they have the wrong income AND now I hear THIS????
STOP! STOP! STOP!
If I go back to work, I lose my Copaxone because Medicare will only pay 33%. If I stay "poor", Medicaid will pay for it. STOP!!!!!!
I'm going to become a political activist on several causes, especially medical care since I "cannot work" to get Copaxone. Damn if you do, damn if you don't. I have found my passion.
Today we go to my daughter's apartment....it will be a hard day. I am trying not to think about it. Some of her things will be put in storage and brought up to Colorado at a later date- and the things I want now will go back in a car with Barry. That is all I want to say about her today.
I am emotionally empty, but fighting mad....about medical care, health insurance and more. It failed my daughter, and it is failing many. It is keeping me from working as well as those who do not want "free money" to sit around when they can work part-time.
I will be turning into a political activist for better health care. If you think Cindy Sheehan had a big mouth, watch out. (FYI: I am no fan of hers) I'm going to be walking, crawling or catching a ride on a turtle with a big stick to Washington, DC.
Somehow, someway I will get my voice heard.
The health care reform debate has reached fever pitch, and is finally getting the attention it deserves. With more than 45 million uninsured Americans, many others woefully under-insured, and people going without needed care, the time is right for you to put in your two cents worth… or more.
Three online sites offer you the opportunity to sound off, share your own successes and failures within the health care system, and state what you think must be done.
Care2 Reform Health Policy seeks to provide news and commentary on health policy and related issues. Care2.com encourages active participation and provides readers with the ability to create full profiles, network with other people with similar interests, and comment… comment… comment. I am a regular contributor to Care2’s health policy cause and welcome suggestions and insights from the community. Please stop by and drop me a line!
HealthReform.gov is a government website providing news and information on health care reform. There is a section to Share Your Story and Ideas about health care reform, and a place to Show Your Support, if you are so inclined.
MakingMedicineSmarter.org is a new site that shines a spotlight on numbers, such as the annual cost of treating chronic and complex health conditions in the U.S., and the possible annual savings on health care spending with electronic and protocol efficiencies. Actual numbers tell an eye-popping tale. The site is also open to comments and suggestions.
Help put a human face on health care in America.
Visit and participate:
Care2 Reform Health Policy
HealthReform.gov
MakingMedicineSmarter.org
This concludes the 38th edition of the Carnival.
The next Carnival of MS Bloggers will be hosted here on July 2, 2009. Please remember to submit a post (via email) from your blog of which you are particularly proud, or which you simply want to share, by noon on Tuesday, June 30, 2009.
Thank you.
Comments for this post.
Thank you.
I'm going to check out some of Ann's listed links. Thanks for posting this, Ann and then Lisa.
ReplyDeleteJust a quick gripe: my husband really enjoys his job, but his small company doesn't foot a lot of the monthly costs for our coverage. So our monthly premium is almost as much as I receive in SSDI. Almost like a cancelling out: Social Security pays for our health coverage.
And I didn't opt for Medicare coverage because that costs MORE.
UGH.
Okay..I'm done!
Medicare is the problem with what is happening with my insurance coverage. I had no problem with my private insurance through my husband's job.
ReplyDeleteWhen I stopped working and went on disability, I continued to use my private insurance because I had absolutely no problems with medical coverage or prescription purchases.
I knew the game was changing when I was instructed by my private insurance to purchase Medicare or be dropped. I had no choice I am paying more for Medicare than I do for my private insurance, yet my benefits has changed drastically because Medicare is considered my primary.
I am angry because I have always had my private insurance and it covered everything until Medicare became my primary and set the guidelines what is best for me when it comes to my health care.
When I posted the above post, Lisa graciously shared to my surprise on the MS Carnival. (Thanks Lisa)… I am very angry and I am not going to take it anymore. I was at my doctor's office for my annual visit and I was given a list of what and when I can have certain tests done because of Medicare.
To make a long story short some of the tests on the Medicare form I had to sign… (a form that is required the office have you sign for Medicare to make sure you were told) are annual test women need to have to checked annually for cancer, but Medicare decided we no longer need them annually we should have them every two years.
Duh, you would think the geniuses who run Medicare would realize women could develop cancer within a two-year stretch. The fight is on for me...I am on a writing campaign to the people on Capitol Hill.
Thanks contributing writers. This is an important issue. While I myself am not currently worried, I worry about others with no health care and high co-pays. Thanks for getting this issue out there and making a statement!
ReplyDeleteGreat posts! Serious problem we all will have to help our pres. solve.
ReplyDelete