Health Care

This isn't so much an attempt at making a political point as much as it is a personal anecdote.

I cannot stand health insurance companies. They make me sick- which sends me to therapy- which makes me really need health insurance- which makes me even sicker.

Last year, we dropped our quasi company paid insurance for private insurance that was much cheaper. This insurance is really only for emergencies- say one of us goes into a coma. The rest of our bills get paid through our health savings account. We put the money we used to pay in premiums (more than $600 a month for two people- they paid for Joe) towards this savings account. Hopefully this provides some perspective.

I wanted our doctor to get paid. The insurance company would pay them maybe 50% of what they billed. That's why we dropped our old insurance plan. Now they are getting paid- out of our pocket. Which is great. I'm really happy they are getting paid. I really do love our doctor. What I don't love, is the bills I keep getting. It cost my family $77 to see the doctor- to walk in the door. No medicine, no blood work, just to say hi to the doctor. My latest bill was $350 to get blood work done. Almost a whole month of groceries for one visit to the doctor.

Granted, this is still less that what we were paying in premiums. A lot less actually. How can that be?

I know that some insurance companies are better than others- but I can totally see how someone, someone who works hard, could lose their house because of medical bills. It's not that hard. I'm thankfully healthy other than a few minor complaints. My son is healthy other than getting sick in the winter. My husband almost never goes to the doctor for anything.

And I still cry almost every time I get a medical bill in the mail.

I cannot imagine what it would be like if one of us had cancer, or needed one of a dozen types of therapy, or if anyone needed any kind of medication.

I know that people are all up in arms about this healthcare issue in congress right now- I know that there is a lot to it. I understand that I probably don't really know what is going on behind closed doors.

I do know that we have a problem. I would hope that we could all listen enough to try to fix it.

All to often we take living in America for granted. We forget that we are at war. That we make people live on the streets for getting sick. That are entire livelihood is dependent on soy and corn. We supposedly live in the greatest country in the world. Lets not get too greedy or self righteous or complacent.