The State of Things

The more experiences I have, the more I come to realize that there are lots of things that are messed up. That sentence has never been more true than last week, when I was privileged to spend 8 hours in a seminar on Medicaid (for those of you that aren't Americans, Medicaid is supposed to be health care for those near, at, or below poverty level).

I know, I know, some people really need medicaid. Like those who have major disabilities, those who are unable to work, and children of a fore mentioned people. I sympathize with that. Ok, so maybe I don't, but at least I get it.

The thing about it is that according to my limited research, more than 60% of people actually on medicaid are working the system. Well, I did just pull that figure out of the air, but I think that it's relatively correct.

Working in a doctor's office, I see people who have medicaid all the time. For the most part, they look like able bodied individuals who have the potential to have a job. But the part that really gets me is the fact that they have cell phones, diamonds, and drive a nicer car than I do. How is that even possible? If you are #1 living on government assistance (which most people with Medicaid are) and #2 your health care provider is Medicaid, how on earth can you afford stuff like that?

The part that really irks me the most is that with my current job, my health care coverage is $325/month just for me and what that gets me is an insurance with a $5,000/year deductible (meaning that I have to pay $5,000 in medical bills before my insurance with pay anything). Even worse, $325 is more than 1/4 of my income at the present time. That, mixed with rent, utilities, food, and loan payments, puts me right down to ending the month with about $25 extra for other fun things like gas and a movie.

So, instead of actually signing up for the insurance, husband and I have decided to go without it. That's just Russian roulette, is what that is. Basically we're screwed if either one of us gets in an accident or has something go wrong healthwise.

I know that I live an enchanted life. I know that I have everything that I need. But, my question is, why do other people who also have everything they need and don't have to go to a job on a daily basis get free health care? And people like me, who actually have a job, have to go without health care because we can't afford to pay for it and also meet all the other bills?