One Story About Healthcare – Part I

    This is an election year.  One of the major issues that is analyzed and discussed every day is healthcare.   President Obama’s health care plan was approved, only to have it questioned.  The Supreme Court has determined that it is not unconstitutional, but it continues to be challenged by those who do not believe that it is a viable plan.  I don’t know enough of the specifics to make that conclusion, but I do know that something needs to be done to provide affordable healthcare options.  How do I know this?  I have a medical history that had it not been covered insurance, would have cost me approximately $250,000. 

    Anyone who has had a major illness or condition knows that it involves scans, tests, biopsies, surgeries, treatments, and many appointments.   I experienced two major medical issues in the past 17 years that required all of this, and none of it was unnecessary.  Due to good treatment and care, I am healthy and living a good life.   I had a positive attitude during each of these trials, but I wonder how I would have felt if I had to worry about payment.  Would I have received the quality of care that I experienced?  How would I have fared if I had to worry about large bills?   Would I have done as well?  I don’t think so,

    I once had a colleague who was considering going off the insurance plan at work because of the mandatory payroll deduction.  He stated that he never got sick.  I shared my costs for treatments.  His response was, “Well, when it comes to your health it is worth it.”   Sure, but how do you pay for it?  How do you get ahead in life if you are constantly being hit with expenses?   How do people with chronic conditions handle the costs?   He was among the many who don’t believe they would ever have an ongoing condition, or major illness.  A few years later, he underwent heart surgery.

   No one ever wants to become ill.  It isn’t something we envision as part of our life plan.  When it happens, we need access to quality care.  Most of us cannot afford the staggering cost of surgery, MRI’s, hospital stays, rehabilitation, medication, etc.  So many conditions are treatable.  If I didn’t have access to the doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, labs, and hospital personnel that all provided excellent care, there would have been only be one outcome.  Let’s just say I wouldn’t be here to write about it.