Add more to the list of unemployed. My husband's last night of work will be tonight.

[Blue Diadem]

His entire shift was cut, just a few weeks after his company said that rumor wasn't true. I don't know how long we can sustain his being unemployed this time around. We've already survived two plant closings and a year of unemployment. That ate up our savings and we hadn't recovered from it. This is strike 3 in ten years time. Thank God our kids are grown.

We won't be able to afford Cobra, been there done that before, both with and without Cobra. The big problem is my husband was hospitalized and diagnosed with a heart problem last year. He's on two meds and we have to figure out a way to keep getting them. Then there is fear that the future health insurance policies may eliminate covering his pre-existing condition for every month we don't have insurance or they may not cover him at all. He's already been told he'll need a valve replacement down the road.

We're just one of hundreds of thousands of families facing this crisis. The middle class is dying.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Oh, man. I am so very sorry. *hugs*

[OhioChick]

2. I'm so sorry.

It's really bad here in Ohio, isn't it? :hug:

[Blue Diadem]

9. I read this morning that Ohio's been in a recession since 2002.

When most of the other states seemed to recover, Ohio didn't. Thank you for the hug. We're doing ok, I just switch from anger to tears every now and then. If we can't make it and lose the house, our son has offered for us to live with him. Just knowing that has helped ease the fear of the unknown.


Here's the link to the article about Ohio's very long recession. At least now it's "official", although I think those of us who live here already knew it.

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090205/BUSINESS07/902050370/-1/BUSINESS

Snip:

The state's employment picture has continued to worsen slowly in the last seven years and has accelerated with the latest recession, the report states.

"That we never got out of the first recession showed up very clearly in the new figures," said Mr. Zeller, who has been compiling annual economic analyses in Ohio for the last two decades. "The '02 recession was very short and the '08 is now causing problems, but that was for the rest of the country.

"Here in Ohio, it was one long continuous recession from '02 to the present," he said.

[OhioChick]

24. You're right....

Ohio never did recover. We've been on a steady decline here since 2000 or so.

I posted this in LBN this morning.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3724569

I go from anger to tears just as you, so much uncertainty. I'm was told recently to start looking for another job as layoffs are coming again. I've sent out so many resumes with no return calls for months now. I worry...what if I lose my house, my health insurance (I have a sick kid) and my mind just starts going a mile a minute. It's scary.

Hang in there....we're all in this together. :hug:

[Blue Diadem]

27. Oh god, I hope you don't lose your job.

It's so stressful and frightening especially when there are people we love who need healthcare.
:hug:

[abluelady]

3. I Am So Sorry

My husband knows he has a job through April, but then....We also will have the COBRA problem. How do you afford it with almost no income. Maybe if a couple of republican congressmen's parents lose their jobs we will see a change. I don't know where our country is going.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. How terrible.

You have my sympathy. We usually do make it through these things, though. I know--I've been in very similar circumstances myself.

[supernova]

5. I'm so very sorry

:hug:

It's the pits.

[Fire1]

6. My heart goes out to you, This is all just so depressing.

[applegrove]

7. I'm sorry.

[pacalo]

8. So, so sorry, Blue.

This is heartbreaking.

I think I would write to my congresspeople about it -- they need to be informed. :grr:

:hug:

[firedupdem]

10. Hugs to you....

The middle class is certainly getting slammed. Just know you're not alone.



:hug:

[Jim__]

11. Sorry to hear this.

Hopefully, Obama and the dems can do something about both healthcare and job creation.

[nichomachus]

12. Been there -- done that -- so sorry

[Caliman73]

13. Sorry to hear that. nt

[nc4bo]

14. {hug} and maybe a suggestion

Partnership for Prescription Assistance:

https://www.pparx.org/Intro.php


Maybe, just maybe you might find some help there.


I'm so sorry. :(

[SoCalDem]

15. I am so sorry you are going through this, Blue Diadem

Knowing that you are are not alone, cannot be of much comfort right now:hug:

Many people are right there with you, but everyone's circumstances are still unique.

You might try calling or writing to the Rx co that provides the meds he needs. Most of them do offer some form of "compassionate need" when it comes to circumstances like these, and without a job, he probably would qualify for their program.

Fingers crossed for you:hug:

[prolesunited]

16. Try to at least keep him on COBRA

because of his medical conditions, even if you have to come off the policy. In the stimulus bill, their is a provision to cover 65% of COBRA. Try to hang on for at least of few months if you can to see this gets passed.

And yes, if there is a gap, his pre-existing conditions will NOT be covered. Nearly all employers will not cover pre-existing conditions for at least 12 months. It has nothing to do with the length of the gap. It's 60 days and you are screwed and given this economy, it will likely take him more than 60 days to get coverage.

And, FWIW, my husband and I are in the same boat. In the past three years, he was laid off once and is now underemployed without insurance. I've been laid off twice. We're hanging on by a very thin thread. Both of us have conditions that make us uninsurable on the open market, but we're doing whatever it takes to keep COBRA.

I had blood in my stool and had to have an endoscope and colonoscopy. The bills aren't in yet but it looks like it would have been about $7,500 without insurance. Turns out, I have gastritis and am on my way to developing an ulcer. Go figure.

[barbtries]

17. really sorry to hear it

you're right: hundreds of thousands, not statistics, PEOPLE. i hope all goes well for your family.

[HillbillyBob]

18. I am so sorry. We have been where you are and it is not fun.

In 2002 and 2003, I went on disability prior but lost medicaid, partner was outsourced twice. It was hell we lost our home and had to rent a dump, no heat bad mold nearly killed me.
we got through some how and got rid of all unnecessary things and eventually paid off bills, found and abandoned little farm in foreclosure.
It needs lots of work, no one else wanted it it had been vacant since the owners divorced, rented it out then let it go, it had been empty for almost 3 years.
Try to stay strong and talk to your husband all the time. You will need to be strong together.
Brainstorm you may be surprised at what you come up with.
Our plan now is energy efficient and independent organic farm and to go fossil fuel free. We have only been here 2 years but we have a customer lined up for our organic blackberries who is a winery that does specialities.
We are planting (slowly) speciality fruits and veggies to sell locally.
Going organic farming you can grow some or most of your food and sell some.
We saw this from several years ago an acquaintance that was an investment banker who got out said " this economy is headed for a crash, I got out because I could not stand how things were being done" He was a whistle blower, the SEC did nothing.
I hope something breaks good for you, hugs.
I got tired of hearing "Hard times make you stronger".
If that were the case,I should be Hercules by now!
May The Goddess help you and keep you.
Robert

[roguevalley]

19. there aren't words sufficient to express my sorrow for what has

happened to you. Please know you are both in my heart.

[Hydra]

20. Let's hope for Obama's health plan

If you can get in on the Congresscritter Gov't program, I'm sure it would help.

[Liberal_in_LA]

21. Sorry your husband lost his job. :-(

[skeewee08]

22. Sorry your husband lost his job, my husband lost his job 2 years ago

So I know what you are going threw his plant closed as well, I will pray for you and your family.

[Berry Cool]

23. Oh this sucks. I am sorry.

I hope for the best for him and for you.

[sarcasmo]

25. Go to your Doctor while you still have insurance and get 90 days supply of medicine.

I feel your pain, we are in the same boat, the money runs out May 1st.

[eridani]

26. Everyone in this situation (or not in this situation for that matter)

--needs to raise holy hell with our representatives at local, state and national levels. Even if they are Repukes--chew their asses out royally.

[Blue Diadem]

28. Thank you all for your hugs and your advice.

The initial shock has worn off. At least I feel like my mind isn't scrambled as badly today.

My husband read the thread too. It helps just knowing that people care.

:grouphug: