Need another reason for universal health care? Try being a college student

[hedgehog]

too sick to attend class. If you drop out a semester, you lose your health insurance.

[enlightenment]

1. Or an adjunct instructor who works on contract.

No insurance - not even an option to 'buy in' to the school's group plan.

[snappyturtle]

2. Or a 61 year old who has paid through the nose for health insurance

since I was in college and used it very little and not in the last 17 years but now can't afford the premiums (self-employed). I'd really like to know how much money I've given to the insurance business that they've invested and made tons of money with. The last five years I was paying to keep the premium within budget I had a ten thousand dollar deductible with 70/30 payout. I'm trying to stay as healthy as is possible and hope I can keep it up until I'm eligible for medicare. Bet there are thousands in the same boat.

[avaistheone1]

14. Yes. I am in a similar situation.

My health insurance premiums cost as much as a mortgage payment. Yet, I am healthy with no pre-existing conditions, but I am over 55 so the health insurance companies jack my premiums through the roof. It is impossible.

I also have several nieces and nephews who don't have health insurance because their employer's don't provide it, and the kids don't make enough to pay out of pocket either.

The situation on health care in this country is unacceptable.

Today's news is a cop out.

[sharp_stick]

3. I was a grad student

at one of the best Universities in the country at one of the top hospitals in the country. I had pre-existing Juv. Rheumatoid Arthritis that continued into adulthood and I couldn't see a Dr. at the University/Hospital I was a student at because it was too expensive for the pathetic college insurance plan. I had to take 3 busses to a shitty clinic that was overrun with people coping with shitty or no insurance.

The Drs I had during that time did their best and I have to say I was treated pretty well by them but the fact that I wasn't even allowed to visit Drs I worked with was beyone pathetic.

[Hello_Kitty]

4. Try being a young person who is NOT in college

You get no insurance at all. You can't stay on your parents' policy, you don't qualify for state aid (unless you have a child), and most jobs you can get have no benefits. If you're too sick to work you can lose your job.

I don't mean to minimize the situation you describe but I wish people here would stop assuming that everybody goes to college after high school (or at all) and if we just extend benefits to college students that will take care of all the young adults.

[hedgehog]

5. That happened to my cousin's son. First time on a skate board,

he broke his leg so bad there was serious discussion of amputation! Of course, on top of not having any insurance, he lost his job as well!

[dropkickpa]

6. Yep

The day I was done with HS I was uninsured until I got knocked up with Dropkid and got on medicaid, more than 5 years later. I was only able to scrape up enough for a yearly PAP and birth control pill appointment in the interim. I'm one of 6 kids. Only one of my brothers has health insurance. Of the other 4, 1 saw a doctor 4 years ago (only time in 15 years) when he was nearly paralyzed in an accident (there's still LOTS of bills for that one, they're never getting paid), another saw an eye specialist when he was nearly blinded in an accident at a friends house (her homeowners covered it, it was his only doctor visit in 15 years), and the other two haven't seen a doctor in anything ranging from 10-20 years. Wahoo america, we rock.

[Hello_Kitty]

11. It's ridiculous

When I was unemployed my meager benefits rendered me ineligible for Medicaid in my state. As a childless adult I had to bring home less than $850 a month to qualify. I lived in constant fear of an illness or injury.

[datasuspect]

7. or a 30 something employed by any corporation

or a self-employed person
or someone with preexisting medical conditions
lather
rinse
repeat

[Juche]

8. Or a recent graduate

The job I have is a contract job, which means I get no benefits.

On the bright side, the more we get screwed over by corporate america, the more enraged we get, and the more we will eventually push this country to the left when it gets to the tipping point. This mass rage and insecurity that most people feel could change things. I've heard progressive reform is not a 24/7 thing in america. Basically we reach a tipping point where rage and frustration boils over and you get big reforms in a short period of time. Think of the 60s or the 20s & 30s, or the 1890s. The 2010s could be the next true progressive period.

And the bullshit wedge issues the corporate media/industrial class and their mindless, anti-introspective mouthpieces use to control and divide us (americans vs mexicans, whites vs blacks, teabags, straights vs gays, capitalism vs socialism, ketchup vs mustard, etc) don't seem to be working as well. At least not on anyone but the 25% who are wingnuts.

[Kansas Wyatt]

9. This country doesn't suffer the sick and the poor.

Regardless of the bullshit the government pumps out, when it comes down to someone needing help, the government will never be there for you. Oh, but you had damn well never cross the government, or you will have every resource thrown at you.

How sure are we about the USA being #1 again?

[hedgehog]

10. Don't you know - no one ever gets sick anymore as long as they exercise

regularly and eat right. So it's your own fault if you get sick!

[Kansas Wyatt]

13. Don't know me huh?

Diabetes at 13, 27 years ago. Insulin reaction and wreck at 25, which crippled a leg and left permanent sciatic nerve damage, which still hurts like absolute hell. Thyroid disease at 35. Hypertension the last 3 years. Now all the effects of 27 years of diabetes is starting to kick in and take a toll. The U.S. Government does nothing for me at all, and in fact, hinders me whenever it can.

I know for a fact that the United States Government's 'safety net' is a fraud and sick joke. Oh, and their best line, 'Well you're just one of those that fall between the cracks.' How many millions of times have they used that bullshit line?

The U.S. Government can go to hell with it's bullshit, because that is all it is!

[harun]

12. If you get sick while in school you aren't making yourself more valuable to your Corporate

overlords so it is in the interest of the overlord to jettison you. There are others to take your place.

:sarcasm: