What an appropriate day to share this.
I have a killer cold. Headache, stuffy nose, fatigue - if it's an ailment from the collar bone up, it's wreaking havoc on me and my usual good mood.
However, I, along with millions of uninsured 18 to 26 year olds across the United States, have to be carried on our parents' health insurance again as of today. Those of us who are employed but don't receive insurance as a job benefit? We can go see the doctor again. All of the college students who aren't carried on insurance policies besides those offered by the college or university? Well, they no longer have to worry about falling down steps and spraining an ankle.
Great day to come down with a cold, right?
Granted, I still have to re-enroll with the insurance company and my dad has to get the paperwork from his boss (who is in a similar situation) and I have to wait until the enrollment period begins at the first of the year, but it gives me peace of mind that I will have health insurance that is actually worth something shortly. We no longer have to live vicariously with the threat of thousands of dollars of medical bills if we get hurt and we don't carry health insurance. We no longer have to suffer without flu shots, regular check ups, and emergency room visits when we get in car accidents.
For me? It means that I can go to the doctor and get medicine that actually works when I have a cold instead of going through box after box of over the counter cold medicine that may or may not work. It also means that I can have this bump on my shoulder, which I'm pretty sure is a bug bite gone wrong, looked at and hopefully removed.
But more importantly, I don't have to worry about getting seriously hurt in a car accident and not having insurance to cover the medical expenses. I'll no longer have to worry if I get hurt at work or in the yard and stay at home to nurse myself back to health because I can't afford the costs of emergency care. My mind, and my health, is now at ease knowing that I can actually now afford to see the doctor if I need to - once I find a doctor, that is.
Needless to say, knowing that someone has my back (for the cost of a co-pay) makes me feel much better than this generic Sudafed does.
-AA
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Hi Ashley Anderson,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading your post on Healthcare, and it reminded me of a recent post of my own on our 2011 Taxes going up. Since you are already feeling down this news will be easier to take (!)
Here is the link to that sobering article: http://donotreadthisblogunless.blogspot.com/2010/09/get-ready-for-shock-to-your-tax-burden.html
I just joined suite101 and left a message in the forum. They are approving my first article after minor inline-link-issues, let us know how successful you are at virtual writing?
Respectfully, Nicholas Chase
Hi Ashley
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon. Granted, the health insurance issue must be something worthwhile if you don't have your own.
Great post.