how many of you find yourself (like me) over 50 and no health insurance?

[NMDemDist2]

:scared:

[Longhorn]

1. We have a policy

but it isn't very good. It MAY cover us somwhat if something really catastrophic happens but there is little or no benefit for anything lesser. For example, my husband broke his foot and is wearing a walking cast. He had a visit to the regular doctor and two visits to the orthopedic specialist with x-rays each time and has had to pay for everything out-of-pocket. Yet we still spend about $350 a month for the policy! :shrug:

[NMDemDist2]

2. Hi Longhorn!!

I've missed you, where you been?

yeah, we had one of those for a couple years and finally dropped it. hopefully with idiot stick (aka Bush) pushing the "savings accounts" the insurance companies will put out a reasonable "catastrophic" policy

[Longhorn]

3. Hi, AZDem!

I haven't been in the food forum much since I've really been focusing on losing weight. And since the spring semester started, I've been pretty busy teaching or tutoring until 8 or 10 most nights.

But it's nice to be missed! :hi:

I've been trying to find a better policy but that also takes time. Also, if you inquire online, your phone will never stop ringing from agents trying to sell. Then you get to deal with companies who are just looking for an excuse to exclude every condition they can. It's really a dirty business!

[The empressof all]

4. We're self employed and we pay an arm and a leg

We keep membership in a union to get better rates but it's still a small fortune. Since both of us have chronic medical issues we have little choice. Even when I was employed I still paid over $500 per month for SO and daughter to be covered on my work plan. We now pay about $900 per month.

I don't hold out much hope for things to improve quickly with universal health insurance in this country. Insurance Companies are scum sucking Satan's who wield far too much power and influence within our government and their financial viability is important to our national economy. It would appear we are up the creek with the paddle shoved firmly up the ass of the American middle class.

[NMDemDist2]

5. wow tell us what you REALLY think

but I agree wholeheartedly!

[raccoon]

6. I was in that position until about 2 years ago.

I have an individual policy now, FWIW. HIgh deductible, basically a catastrophic type policy. It doesn't pay for 2 pre-existing health problems I have.

Haven't had group medical since 1993.

It sucks. I heard once of a proposed bill to extend Medicare to those who was 55+. I only wish that would happen!

[Dragonfly]

7. Having been w/out health insurance for

a decade, staying healthy has become as much of a priority as gobbling up relevant daily info on our "changing" society.

I agree with all posters thus far on this thread concerning the huge problem of health care. It's presenting a daunting challenge to everyone middle-class on down, for sure.

Baby-boomers in my neck of the woods seem to be remembering American history more clearly these days. I like the tales throughout world/U.S. history of little folks banding together to checkmate the grossly errant powerful baddies with both intelligent humor and core-truth-unfolding comprehensiveness.

This discussion board is well beyond existing solely as a solidly congealing progressive nexus for future collective nonviolent moves.

Have enjoyed your input.

[NMDemDist2]

8. hi dragonfly! thanks for your kind words and may they fly from your

keyboard to America's patriot's ears. we certainly do need to ban together ala the labor movement circa 1920 :hi:

[Dragonfly]

9. looks like we already have

"come together." I think the # of registrants here was somewhere 'round 13K when I joined up. The potential mathematical concentricity we're presently lookin' at staggers the mind.

The Department of Peace spearheaded by Cong. Kucinich has about 55 co-sponsors now. Cindy Sheehan will team up w/Michael Stipe of R.E.M and Bright Eyes 3/20 in N.Y. to speak out toward the cessation of this unwarranted war.

Yep, big societal tides aturnin' as Winter passes the seasonal baton over to Spring.

All the best to allied Arizonans.....

[Serial Mom]

10. Been thinking about you without insurance ...

I saw some studies where both hospitals and clinics charged those without insurance MORE than they charged the insurance companies for the same procedures.

I was just appalled that they can do this! I know they claim the insurance companies negotiate discounts for signing contacts with the clinic or hospital, but this is outright evil.

Are you able to get any kind of assistance thru a Medicaid program? I worry about the millions of people like you and hope this country passes some kind of new health care programs soon!

[FloridaPat]

11. This is the 4th year without health ins. Couldn't afford the $800+ a month

Almost a house payment. That does put me aorund $36000 ahead of the game though. I could be self-insured had I been able to pocket that money.