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| Don't Know What You Have Till It's Gone: Insurance and Socialized Medicine |
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by Joanna Odumewu, RN - September 13, 2010
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You never really think about not having it; you had it when you didn’t realize you had it, and when the light bulb is powered on in your head, you still take for granted that it will always be around. It’s like a safety net that you know—no, think—will always be around. Then the inevitable happens: you age. You age and age until you reach the dreaded age that disqualifies you. Then you’re left wondering what in the world will you do without it?
Then it slowly starts to unravel like a ball of yarn falling down steps leading nowhere but down. The letters start pouring in: “You have been dropped…” You stare at the words in disbelief, aghast at the fact that they could follow through with such a policy. Your first question now becomes: how much does it cost without insurance? The yearly physical: one hundred and seventy dollars. The yearly visit to the OB-GYN: one hundred and sixty dollars. An ear irrigation: sixty-five dollars. Dental checkup: two hundred dollars. The mountain gets higher and higher until the air up top becomes so thin, you’re unable to breathe. You gasp desperately as you try to hold onto the last molecule of air you have, but fail as blackness descends on you.
So you start to play illnesses against one another: is this constant migraine worth a visit or should I have this lump checked out…either way, it’s going to cost an arm and a leg. So you wait and wait, delay and delay until you’re left no choice but to have that arm and leg removed because your diabetes has gotten so out of control without your medication, medication impossible on your earnings. Life goes on, you still have breath in your body, but life is never the same.
The carefree jumps are now replaced with vigilant steps, hands gripping the banister for dear life. The Snickers bar that you craved for months on end lies in the bottom of your “stash” draw, buried under piles and piles of disqualification notices and bills; you can’t afford that cavity. The birthday you once looked forward to, is one you now dread knowing the inevitable is going to happen; so you in turn try to beat the system. You schedule appointment after appointment, packed into your week like sardines in a can. Despite your best efforts, they can only “squeeze” you in for an appointment four weeks after the disqualification date; “why oh why” you beseech the heavens, hoping someone, anyone can provide an answer that makes sense to you. How is it possible that my age disqualifies me? Isn’t that ageism?
As the questions creep in, creativity hops on for a ride; you think of ways to make it accessible and come up with only one solution: a clinic. Clinics provide the same care right? But the stubborn bone in your body juts out, refusing to be set until it has been carefully assessed. Other countries have “socialized” medicine where EVERYONE receives the care they deserve, no matter their status. Imagine being able to acquire codeine while on holiday to treat a most painful, uncomfortable, holiday-ruining tonsillitis, all without having to put down a single penny! Gasp: “socialized’ medicine! But then you realize that sad but true, you live in a society based on individualism, where you’re expected to “pull yourself up by the boot straps,” where it’s survival of the fittest in all its shining glory. How is it possible that a society so “advanced” can be so “backward?
Joanna Odumewu is a BSN graduate from Seton Hall University pursuing her MSN at UMDNJ.
The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.
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| msmurdaugh (Atlanta) |
on 29 Sep 2010 at 9:15 pm |
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| I found your comments and blog very interesting. I am very interested to see how healthcare reform will effect our country. As for people that I have spoken to just recently in UK, they are very excited about the healthcare reform bill for the US and do not have any problem with healthcare for all citizens of the UK. I am sure that is not the view of all person that live there but just like here, we have different opinions but what will it really hurt? Can we afford to have extremely ill people in our country? We will pay now or pay later...either way we will pay no matter what. |
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| Joanna (NJ) |
on 23 Sep 2010 at 10:28 pm |
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I completely agree with you Vashra regarding the current conditions faced by people not only in England but worldwide. Just to be clear, I am not a socialist nor do I advocate socialism in general; I am a strong supported of universal healthcare b/c I believe healthcare for all is a basic human right.
I understand the intricate problems we face as a nation and global society regarding providing care for all. I understand that all systems have their downfalls: social medicine runs out of funding; private isolates those who cannot afford it; tax-payer system upsets those who feel it is unfair to treat others with their "hard-earned" cash.
So what do we as a society? That seems to be the hardest question to answer...is there an answer? |
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| Vashra (Devonshire) |
on 21 Sep 2010 at 10:38 pm |
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It must have been quite a while since you were in England, Joanna.
The situation now is rather dire. There are waiting lists at every hospital. Most of us try to avoid going anywhere beyond the GP. The NHS is *broke* and everyone knows it. There are more stories every day of the reprehensible care some patients are receiving.
Socialism works until the money runs out. But it's a system that cannot be maintained and does not pay for itself. We've got a population here that is less than the population of some American *cities* and we couldn't keep out of the hole. Do you really expect a nation the size of America to do better?
Socialism only works in microcosms and then only briefly. There is not one nation, including the UK, where any socialized program doesn't simply collapse into entropy eventually.
How many times does Socialism have to fail globally before we'll have it sorted in our minds that the system is inherently flawed? |
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| Joanna (NJ) |
on 20 Sep 2010 at 11:15 am |
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Socialism is one of the most misunderstood terms, due in part to the negative portrayal it received from the government years past. I advice people to truly explore what it means to be a socialist before carelessly throwing the term around.
I have lived in a country (England) where "socialized" medicine existed and compared to my current standing it was amazing. People do not have to worry about falling ill and trying to decide between procedures that will save their lives or keeping a roof over their head.
After falling ill while on holiday in London, I was able to receive treatment (free of charge) without ANY money out of pocket. Out of habit, I asked the attendant if I paid now or later and they laughed in my face as though I had made the most absurd suggestion; they instantly knew I lived in America and stated as much. It is a shame when you become the butt of joke for those you consider to be on the same level as you.
Lastly, I think it is absolutely appalling that even healthcare providers in this country are unable to receive care, care they provide to others. |
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| Deborah Rievman, RHIT, CPMA (Fort Lauderdale Florida) |
on 17 Sep 2010 at 7:08 pm |
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| Socialism is just a word. You can shout about it all day long. . Government: STAY OUT OF MY PERSONAL HEALTH CHOICES!! But don't anybody dare touch my Medicare! Or my CHAMPVA, That's a God given right. But when it comes down to you or your loved ones, there are no anti-socialists in foxholes |
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| Carol (Maryland) |
on 16 Sep 2010 at 7:16 pm |
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| I'm a registered nurse looking for a job and lost my health insurance when I got a divorce. A trip to the gynecologist resulted in being told I need 4 or 5 biopsies, paid for by me. I could only afford one. The bills are still coming for that. I'm doing all I can to get insurance, no luck! |
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| Coco (Boston) |
on 16 Sep 2010 at 4:28 pm |
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| Bravo! I can't believe that Americans are not out in the streets demanding healthcare for everyone. We have public schools and the finest military in the world, both are government run entities. People keep complaining about the costs and while we debate our premiums keep rising. Something has to be done. |
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| Debra Tohlman (Pa) |
on 16 Sep 2010 at 4:18 pm |
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| That is exactly how it feels to not have adaquate insurance. It even feels like that with insurance if you are forced to take a high deuctable. So tomcat you must have insurance and never had any issues with coverage. Can't wait till the insurance companies screw you over once that lets see who is a socialist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This artical is right to the point and anyone who thinks it can not happen to them is in for a rude awakening |
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| tomcat (atlanta) |
on 14 Sep 2010 at 5:00 pm |
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| Your obviously a socialist. Figures. |
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