universal health-scare (obama’s the boogeyman)
The Minx has been conspicuously absent from hireheels recently. The reasons for my absences can all be traced back to “health-scare” concerns. We’re talking one hellish week fighting a difficult chronic pain condition, one nagging bout of the death-cough that already cost me one cracked rib this year and nearly dislocated my appendix, and one dear family member requiring surgery (and now home safely, thank you). The kind of stuff you can live through, but boy, does it suck you dry. (It sucks you even dryer when your health care coverage is inadequate, vulnerable or absent.)
I’m one of the lucky ones. I have a good health care plan and I finally have a specialist who’s helped me get a handle on a truly demonic pain situation. But all that could go *poof!* if I lost my job. I wouldn’t be able to afford COBRA. If the mandatory plans here in Massachusetts didn’t cover my meds, I’d probably be dead inside a month, maybe two. It’s scary to think you’re one unfortunate personality conflict at work away from the grave. Go ahead and laugh that I’m being overly dramatic, but others with severe chronic pain or serious health issues will tell you how challenging it is with decent health coverage. Without it, you’re too sick to work, too sick to keep up your copays, but not sick enough to qualify for disability (which won’t cover your living expenses, never mind your medical expenses). It’s a toss-up as to whether your medical disorder or the results of lack of coverage will kill you first. That’s what lurks in the depths of my fears every day.
Meanwhile, the boogeyman doesn’t think reaching for universal coverage for all Americans is a good fight. Hillary does. So do I. My life may one day depend on it. How dare he–how f***ing dare he–decide that my life isn’t worth the political fight. Maybe I should call him the next time I can’t pick myself up off the floor in the local hospital. Or if some ER doc decides that I’m just an addict looking for a fix and kicks me out when I’m in the worst pain of my life. Or when some half-assed private coverage decides that it can capitate the drugs that rescue me, or deny me coverage for the first drug regimen ever that actually keeps me functioning well most of the time without terrible side effects. Silly me, but I like being a productive citizen, something I can continue to be with proper health care and a way to pay for it.
Thanks, Hillary. You haven’t given up fighting for my life. It’s why I’m still fighting for yours.
on May 29th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Princess is frightened by an Obama presidency and what it won’t mean for millions of americans …. decent healthcare.
beautifully written minxie - hope you’re feeling well enough to shoe shop again
on May 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Much better now, thanks. Painting the toesies at home and keeping an eye on the fight! Most people who don’t face ongoing health issues don’t stop and think about how critical access to affordable, decent health care is–but any one of us could wind up with something that needs more than an annual checkup before we’re Medicare-age. I don’t care what Obama thinks is doable–I care about doing what’s right, and if this nation can’t get up off its butt, lace up its work boots and ensure adequate health coverage for EVERYONE, then sham eon us.
on May 29th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
princess just spoke with our legal eagle in d.c……the fight is probably goin’ all the way to denver…i am xhausted just thinkin’ bout it……i think it’s worth it and am willing to keep on keepin’ on…..god bless hillary clinton - she inspires all of us to go on!
(SCREW PELOSI - who is now threatening to intervene in a few weeks - we can take her)
on May 30th, 2008 at 1:20 am
Thanks for just saying it the way it is. There are a ton of people that feel just like you do. You are the type of courage that keeps Hillary charging away. And yes, she speaks for all of us. To the convention or bust. AMEN!
on May 30th, 2008 at 8:54 am
That’s one of the really great things about being here. We can give each other an emotional double-espresso recharge to the fight-batteries when we need it. (Brother, do we need it.)
on June 2nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Yeah, when your name’s KEnnedy - you needn’t worry your silver-haired head……..within days of being diagnosed you’re not only able to choose the top neurosurgeon on the planet - but you can “on-demand” your surgery……and what does it say that teddy outsourced his surgery to Duke….(he’s already among the best and brightest in boston)??? What is says is:
State of the Art, On-Demand, Concierge Medicine for the Privileged…and drive-thru health-care for the rest of us.
on June 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
WOW - FOX is now talking about kennedy’s hand-picking of the DUke neurosurgeon - and how it would take months (maybe even 6) to schedule such a surgery….omg - they musta read Hireheels!!!! They also just said his plan would have probably him operated in Mass General.
on June 4th, 2008 at 8:20 am
minxie - did you catch hillary’s speech last night - brilliant, strong, confident, heartfelt…..didn’t you feel as if no matter what happens in this sham of a race - she will fight until all americans have healthcare - loved the “shameless” comment!!!
I am so glad she brought it back to one the most important issues in this race….and in this country!!
on June 4th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Unfortunately, I was warding off an attack, so I didn’t. Will watch the video, have already read portions. Damn, she makes me proud. It certainly is shameless that anybody in this country worries about healthcare.
on June 6th, 2008 at 11:14 am
And more of the same: women who’ve had Caesarians can’t get individual health coverage. I’m having a lot of trouble not being bullshit all the time.
on June 8th, 2008 at 1:56 am
One of Obama’s top health care advisers is the man (Robbins?) who defeated hillary’s universal health care initiative in the 1990s–this is why BO is so tepid when it comes to health care. This adviser also devised the infamous Harry and Louise ads–which Obama resurrected again this primary season.
Also, one of Obama’s top fund raisers is a banker who is directly involved in the sub-prime debacle. Just Google the article “sub-prime obama” and you’ll see what i’m talking about.
on July 11th, 2008 at 10:44 am
“State of the Art, On-Demand, Concierge Medicine for the Privileged…and drive-thru health-care for the rest of us.”
So, because I make less than $100k, but I live around boston, I should have similar housing to what kennedy has?
I mean, housing is a basic right, yes?
So, the rich shouldn’t have the sort of huge mansions and sprawling tracts of land they do, just because they’re rich, and I’m not.
Sorry, those arguments are why, sometimes, nationalised healthcare sounds socialist.
Even in Canada, where they have nationalised health care, you get faster treatment if you pay big bucks.
on August 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
LOL! The Clintons were assimilated into the Obama Collective. Resistence is futule. Your campaign, as you have know it, is over. From this day forward, you will service US……