Uninsured Adults Rant 1933

This is something I've been pissed off for years. An adult that at one point in their life had a decent job and manages to lose that job cannot get any sort of government help, be it welfare, health care or in your friend case dental care, hell most of us can't even qualify for foodstamps. Everything is always for the fucking children and the adults can crawl off in a corner and die.

Everytime something comes up for a vote of expanding children's entitlements I vote against it, a politician talks exclusively about what to do about the children, I vote against him. I'm just so tired for all the public and private money being for the children I could go postal.

Being in constant dental distress myself, I cringed and almost cried when I read this rant. It sounds like the tooth will most likely need to be pulled. A root canal may still be able to be performed to save the tooth, but I can say this, it's gonna be pricey, especially to have it capped.

I would suggest she just go into a dentist's office, cry and whimper in extreme pain, and work out a payment plan. She may have to put some money down, but I find most dental professionals to be of the "can't stand to see someone in pain" type. Also, if she does NOT get it taken care of, she risks severe infection and can land in the hospital with a blood infection. Septicemia treatment in the hospital is much more expensive than a tooth extraction.

My sympathies to your friend. I know her pain.

Edited to fix something that made no sense.

This chaps my ass as well. My husband quit his job a couple of months ago because he knew he was about to be laid off due to new management, so he took a contract job without bennies. I tried to take over our dental insurance from his previous job so we wouldn't have the year-long waiting period to be re-eligible for dental procedure coverage. We were not allowed to do this, even though we were willing to pay out of pocket!! As a result, I just spent $800 on getting my wisdom teeth pulled. The system sucks, and because it is election year the breeder-pandering is at a fever pitch. Of course in this great country of ours, if you don't have insurance and you are not a breeder you are just well and truly F*CKED.

Like NotQuiteSure, I also suffer from dental problems...right now, I need at least one crown and multiple fillings. But, I am a graduate student and my only job is working for my academic department as a grad assistant...they pay my tuition and give me the princely sum of $60 a week. My husband makes $9 an hour as a (brand-new) sous chef, and he has no insurance. He suffers from severe dry skin and eczema. The lack of free health care for everyone in this country is one of the reasons we are looking to move to Canada after I graduate with my M.A. This is not fair...we are educated, law-abiding, responsible citizens who vote and pay taxes. And we get screwed because we're not dumb enough to reproduce. I hate this country...

On a related note, Michael Moore's next film is going to be about this very problem...it's called "Sicko" and is supposed to be released late this year:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386032/
I Michael Moore.

I too am going through the same dental problems. I desperately need my wisdom teeth taken out. I am at the point where I am getting shooting pains from my jaw to behind my eye. But at this point in my life, I do not have a spare penny. I barely make my bills every month, and have nothing saved. No dentist will see me. I should go pop out a brat, then at the same hospital visit, have them take care of the teeth. After all, at that point I'd be a moo, and no one would let a moo who has a new baybee suffer!

I was laid off in 2001 and was out of work for over a year. I could not afford the COBRA payments. I tried to go on Distaster Relief Medicaid (this was in NY after 9/11) and it was the most humiliating experience of my life. I got dirty looks from people of other races in the waiting room, which was ironic because I was probably the only person in there who was actually laid off due to 9/11.

They made me fill out a pile of forms, and it seemed like every other question was "Are you pregnant?" "Is there any chance you might be pregnant?" "How many children do you have?" etc.

The young woman who did my intake had photos of her billion kids all over her desk, so I knew I wasn't going to get any sympathy there. She basically copped an attitude with me and said that I made too much money to qualify. Mind you, I didn't even have a job, but was collecting unemployment, and it wasn't even enough to live on!

Apparently to qualify for disaster-relief Medicaid as a single childfree person, I would have had to only have an income of $900 a month! But if I'd had 5 or 6 kids, I would have qualified.

Never mind that all the years I worked, my taxes went toward programs like Medicaid. You'd think the one time I needed help, I could have gotten my investment back? Hell, no! Instead, our tax money goes to free medical care for people with no jobs and a litter of children.

CFScorpio, it really burns me up to hear how you were treated while the leeches look at you as if something is wrong with you! It is the working people of this nation that get scr*wed. Yeah...the Land of the Free...just come over here and get all sorts of bennies while our own childfree people suffer. Had my friend been a moo, she also would have had dentists looking in her mouth as well as the sprog's while MY taxes foot the bill. It has been a rough week so I will stop right now before I really go off.

My single moo SIL has not had a job for about 7 years. She works as a part-time babysitter at home under the tabe and guess what she has kid care which is medical insurance that covers her and her daughter!!!Same thing with my single duh BIL's girlfriend who had a kid with no job (she quit her job because she was burnt out and got knocked up) and guess what she also has kid care that paid for her pre-labor visits, labor and post labor. I also think that it also covers my BIL who has been unemployed for two years! He also quit his job at the time because he was burnt out. Now his excuse is that he's babysitting the baby for his girlfriend who works. Low lives losers!!!

For the person who's frirnd is looking for dental work and can't afford it, I was just checking the kid care program for curiosity and on their page they happend to have insurance for families and individuals. She may check out:

http://www.kidcare.com/search/?sental+Insurance

who know there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for those with no brats.

Is there a dental school in your area? If so, she may be able to get free or inexpensive care.

I wonder if those who are seeking dental care could borrow someone's infant for a couple hours and take it with them to the dentist's office and say it's their new baby. Who knows? Maybe it will elicit a favorable response.

How bout these apples? From our local rag's opinion section:

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Expand youth insurance to age 30

A number of states have extended the time young people can remain on their parents’ health insurance plans to protect them from being one illness away from financial disaster. State Senator Raphael Musto thinks Pennsylvania should join the states offering protection. And so do we.

Specifically, people aged 18 to 34 are becoming the fastest growing segment of the population to be without health insurance.

As it now stands, young people are only allowed to be covered on their parents’ health insurance plan until they are 19 or until age 22 or 23 if they are students.

But many people age 20 to 34 aren’t able to find jobs, or have jobs without health insurance.

This puts them in a precarious position.

“With fewer employers offering coverage, younger workers may have a particularly hard time finding a job with health benefits,” says Beth McConnell, of the consumer advocacy group PennPIRG.

Senator Musto has proposed a bill in the state senate that would allow young people to be on their parents’ health insurance plan until age 30 if their parents pay an increased premium. This would be more affordable because it would make the young person part of a group plan rather than a costly individual plan.

The exact method of financing this additional insurance can be explored by contacting other states that have adopted it — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Delaware, Rhode Island and New Jersey.

Health insurance providers need to be brought into the discussion.

The input of large employers or associations representing employers should also be solicited for input.

But, thus far, we hope the Pennsylvania House and Senate will pass Senator Musto’s proposal and the governor will sign it.
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Yet ANOTHER reason not to have kids....they'll leech off you until they're THIRTY with the government's blessing. Sheesh.

Im sorry to say, but I agree that uninsured adult children should be able to stay on their parent's health insurance until they are 30. I do think said child should have their own job and pretty much support themselves, but its flipping hard to find a decent job with benefits these days! I am a college graduate, and I still work a rather crummy job. It took me a long time just to get my crummy job, that pays rather low, with no benefits, no vacation. I work hourly, that's it. I don't work, I don't get paid. If a holiday falls during the work week, I don't get paid. Period. If I get sick I'm screwed!

I live in the NY area, and it is hard just to get a job, never mind a decent job. If employers would step up and offer their employees what used to be standard, the insurance companies wouldnt have to insure adult children on their parent's policies.

Believe me, I WOULD LOVE to work a decent job and get my own benefits, but tell me exactly where I find this golden opportunity.

I certainly understand how you feel, Theresa, but what about adult children who don't live in the same area as their parents? My DH's insurance requires us to have bloodwork done in a certain clinic in our geographic area, which is still 30 miles away. Most insurance plans are "negotiated" meaning the doctors and facilities are spelled out in the benefit package literature.

Even where I live now, many college students graduate and then move away from home, as in FAR away from home. The plan won't cover the doctors/facilities in the area that they move to. This is going to end up costing the CF more in the long run.

I don't know, I might be wrong on this. I just found it interesting that we're delaying adulthood until someone is 30. That's just nuts.

I totally understand where you are coming from. I think there definately should be strings attached to continued medical coverage of adults on their parent's health insurance. For example, the "kid's" coverage should be treated as if they are still in their parent's home. If they choose to move to timbuktu, then they forfeit their coverage, and it cannot be reinstated later on.

It is sad that adulthood is being delayed until the 30's. The health insurance issue is a big deal! Many jobs may offer coverage but the wages are so low that the employees opt to not take the benefits. What the h*ll do we do as a society??? People scream of socialism but they want socialism for mothers and those babies. I've got to call my friend but another friend is going through some major stuff right now. I have dealt with some hard stuff over the past two days...

When I was in school, I had a very similar dental problem. If she has an absess, and she probably does at this point, she can go to the ER. They will treat her.

A dental school will charge a fraction of what a private dentist would. The quality is usually very good, and they'll give her enough painkiller to keep her numb for a week.

This topic is a real sore point with me, because most dental insurance barely covers the fee to walk in the door. Everyone should be able to see a health professional whether they can pay or not. I went for years without any kind of ins., and would literally pray I never got really sick.

The bottom line is that:

1.) life sux

2.) survival is ueber-tough

3.) it's an inconscionable affront on decency to bring a being in this world, only to suffer, AND

4.) all of us are the modern-day saints for not sprogging and allowing the horrendous cycle to continue.

Rock on! I'll have another martini, thank you.

i question these dentists and doctors that wont treat anyone but those with insurance.. theres an oath doctors take, but some i think forget it, in the search for money.

**

The Declaration of Geneva reads:

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:
I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; (so long as they can pay)
I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;
I will practice my profession with conscience and dignity;
The health of my patient will be my first consideration; (so long as they can pay)

I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;
I will maintain by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession;
My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers;
I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient; (so long as they can pay but they do)

I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;
I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;
I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour

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I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

I wish Virginia would extend the health insurance age, especially since I have a mother who is hellbent on forcing me to go to graduate school right after graduating college (despite the fact that I've been telling her that I won't be ready for graduate school nor can we afford it). If I'm in graduate school, I probably won't be able to work a full-time job with benefits (if I even find one) and not having medical insurance is too risky a venture. I don't get sick often, but watch, as soon as I don't have insurance, something will happen.

It's ridiculous how we want to claim that America is "#1 we roxx0rz!" but we don't provide at least basic healthcare for all citizens. And there is no St. Jude's for adults, so if you have cancer or something and can't afford treatments, you're shit outta luck.

I knew someone on another forum who couldn't get help with her tuition or something like that...and the person she talked to actually TOLD her "if you had a kid or two, I could help you." The fuck???

As a result, I just spent $800 on getting my wisdom teeth pulled.
*nod* My boyfriend's excited to have his new job because now he'll have dental insurance and can finally have his wisdom teeth taken out. He didn't have it before--not because he didn't have a job, but because he owned his own business (with one other person) and they obviously didn't have insurance, they couldn't afford it. HE STARTED HIS OWN FUCKING BUSINESS RIGHT OUT OF COLLEGE and yet didn't have health care. I'm sorry, but someone like that is not a slacker of society and I would think people like that could get some help without having to go through the welfare system like some crack whore--and I think in part that's what keeps a lot of people from even trying to get help, even if they COULD (see my rant below).

Even where I live now, many college students graduate and then move away from home, as in FAR away from home.
If they can afford to move away, then they're not in that dire of straits, are they? I can't afford to even THINK about moving out of my mom's house; I make $7 an hour at a job I go to 23 hours a week. Move away? I wish! My pay goes straight to my mom's bank account to attempt to pay the bills. Having done the math, I'd have to make $11 or $12 an hour at a full-time job to be able to even pay the BASIC bills I'd have on my own--that's without figuring in food and such.

if their parents pay an increased premium. This would be more affordable because it would make the young person part of a group plan rather than a costly individual plan.

INCREASED PREMIUM??? I was on my dad's plan and he already paid something like $14 grand or $17 grand (can't remember which) per year for himself, my stepmom, and me! Prolly far more than any of us racked up in hospital bills! Not to mention they wouldn't pay for the birth control OR the testing when I had "female problems" (ovarian cyst, required a couple gyno visits and a $500 ultrasound to find out what the hell was wrong with me, they paid NONE, nor, like I said, the birth control I went on to keep me from getting another one). I lost my health insurance when I graduated college. As in the year and a half since I did so, I've had two jobs and neither were full-time nor do/did they offer benefits, I've been fucked ever since. Luckily I'm relatively healthy, but I had to go to the dentist once this summer for a fissure in my tooth and am going again tomorrow because I suspect I have at least one cavity. Luckily again, my dad will help pay the bill (hell, he's the one who passed on shitty teeth genes), because my mom and I sure as hell can't.

Having no health insurance is not a tragedy for me as I'm of pretty damn good health, but when my mom lost her job last December--after being there for what, 14 or 15 years, having been the first employee they had an one of the best (she and the woman who'd been there the second longest were both let go. Interesting how they got rid of the people who'd been there the longest and hence were paid the most)--she was fucked. She's 57 years old and has shitty health, so there's no way she's going to get another job. Luckily she was able to get disability but that doesn't cover the bills nor does it give her health insurance to pay for all the medication she needs to take or the doctor visits she needs to go to when she gets sick. I really don't give a shit about health insurance for me so much--like I said, I don't get sick much and it's not like I've been paying into the system for years (summer jobs from college don't really count). But my mom's been working most of her frigging life, working her ass off, and she can't get taken care of now that she needs it? That's BULLSHIT.

I could probably go on welfare, yes. But in Michigan, that means you also have to have a full-time job. As if I haven't been trying to get one since May of 2005. And while you're not working, you have to attend these job search classes. And it would be bad enough if they were just on "how to make a resume" and all that shit I've known and perfected LONG ago, but I also hear they actually have to cover shit like hygiene and how to take a frigging bath, no fucking joke. There's no way in hell I'd be able to sit through that--I would seriously kill myself if I had to sink that low, I would have absolutely NO sense of self-worth left, and I have little enough as it is. (Unfortunately that also means my mom can't get help, I think, since I live with her--for example I know she can't get food stamps unless she proves to them that she and I don't eat meals together and such, otherwise I'd have to go to those damn classes)

The welfare system's fucked up anyway. I understand there are plenty of losers who need to go through this shit, but for those of us who could probably TEACH the class on how to write resumes and apply for jobs, and who certainly understand the basics of hygiene, it's so damn pointless and degrading.

i have been sent on those type of courses, and boy are they bad, i was going to study a creative writing course which would have led onto a BA, but i was told to not do it there as it wouldnt help me get a job, so i had to cancel the course, as standguide wouldnt give me the time.. all those courses do is make the job figures look good if your on them, then your not unemployed


http://mercurior.blogspot.com/2004/11/insomnia-due-to-illness.html

http://mercurior.blogspot.com/2003/11/more-about-me.html

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I just post the stories, for interest.. for everyone

Lord, what fools these mortals be!
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III, Scene ii

Voltaire said: "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."

H.L.Mencken wrote:"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.”

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein

The update on my friend is that her boyfriend is going to help her. He supposedly got this great job with base weekly pay along with commission. I know...I have heard of these wonderful jobs before but I did not want to rain on A**t*'s parade. I do hope the position works out for the young man so he is making more money and that the young lady is able to get her teeth worked on before more pain and damage sets in.