Journal: Entry for Macharius
Timeline of events for my fiancee:
January 2009 - laid off from work as a pastry chef
February 2009 - apply to Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health insurance
May 2009 - denied coverage at BC/BS
June 2009 - apply to the state's health insurance program, MinnesotaCare
January 31, 2010 - fall on icy stairs, break ankle. Landlord's insurance says "it's winter, there is ice, we're not liable"; briefly talking with a lawyer who doesn't feel we have a case to appeal the insurance's decision. Because she can't look for work, she can't claim uninsurance and is now left without any income at all.
Month of February, 2010 - recieve treatment totaling $18,000 so far
February 24, 2010 - receive paperwork for MinnesotaCare to chose a provider network
February 25, 2010 - are told that MinnesotaCare will not cover pre-existing conditions (despite the hospital person telling us that MinnesotaCare would cover anything that occured since they first received their initial application)
March 1, 2010 - MN state legislature is 4 votes short of overturning a governor veto for General Assistance Medical Care. He vetoed the program and wants to enroll everyone in MinnesotaCare, but people on GAMC can't afford or qualify to remain on MinnesotaCare or they would already be on it. Note that funding for MinnesotaCare is not increased, so it's bankruptcy will be hastened.
End result: If her "letter of intent to file a claim" with GAMC doesn't get her through the rapidly-narrowing window of opportunity, she'll be left with the whole bill of $18,000 (and growing, with future followup visits and physical therapy) and will have to file personal bankruptcy.
Her story is not unique; things like this are happening across the country. So why is socialized medicine so demonized in this country, when people already suffering are forced to further and unnecessary suffering and hardship? How a society treats its lesser-priviledged members speaks volumes about that society.
January 2009 - laid off from work as a pastry chef
February 2009 - apply to Blue Cross/Blue Shield for health insurance
May 2009 - denied coverage at BC/BS
June 2009 - apply to the state's health insurance program, MinnesotaCare
January 31, 2010 - fall on icy stairs, break ankle. Landlord's insurance says "it's winter, there is ice, we're not liable"; briefly talking with a lawyer who doesn't feel we have a case to appeal the insurance's decision. Because she can't look for work, she can't claim uninsurance and is now left without any income at all.
Month of February, 2010 - recieve treatment totaling $18,000 so far
February 24, 2010 - receive paperwork for MinnesotaCare to chose a provider network
February 25, 2010 - are told that MinnesotaCare will not cover pre-existing conditions (despite the hospital person telling us that MinnesotaCare would cover anything that occured since they first received their initial application)
March 1, 2010 - MN state legislature is 4 votes short of overturning a governor veto for General Assistance Medical Care. He vetoed the program and wants to enroll everyone in MinnesotaCare, but people on GAMC can't afford or qualify to remain on MinnesotaCare or they would already be on it. Note that funding for MinnesotaCare is not increased, so it's bankruptcy will be hastened.
End result: If her "letter of intent to file a claim" with GAMC doesn't get her through the rapidly-narrowing window of opportunity, she'll be left with the whole bill of $18,000 (and growing, with future followup visits and physical therapy) and will have to file personal bankruptcy.
Her story is not unique; things like this are happening across the country. So why is socialized medicine so demonized in this country, when people already suffering are forced to further and unnecessary suffering and hardship? How a society treats its lesser-priviledged members speaks volumes about that society.
Re: Great.
Because the insurance companies are such a good source of money to pad the pockets of politicians and CEOs. They were originally created to do just this, and not, as one might think, to save lives. This is one of the greatest reasons why I hate living in America. This goes on and instead of the majority of people being aware of it and wanting change, they (the majority) are pitted against one another by the confusing agendas of both parties in order to keep them busy. Americans are either ignorant of, or refuse to see, the institutions that are socialized already: the police force, the fire department, the fast response health teams, public transportation, public school, public school transportation, Medicare, Medicaid, etc...all the while demonizing countries with plans that are much better than ours.
Wow, that really blows.
I'm sorry for both of you - I'll keep my fingers crossed the letter of intent works out for her
Ugh.
I'm sorry.