DrugBuyers.Com: Should the uninsured lay down and die?!

SpongeMom, (love your username/pic!!)

I'm going through almost the same situation here where I live. Last year, before I lost my job, I applied for Adult Basic (PA's version of "low cost" healthcare for people who make under a certain amount of money). I was a preschool teacher making around 17,000 a year at the time, so that qualified me as a "working poor" candidate, and eligible to receive benefits through them.

I applied for it at the same time that a good friend and coworker of mine did. She received a response in less than 6 months approving her for the program. I had to wait almost a year, and when I finally did hear back from them, I found out that I was denied, get this, because right as they were going through the approval process for me, I was given a 25 cent an hour raise, which put me over what they considered a "working poor" candidate by about a whopping 500 bucks.

My friend who applied with me received the same pay raise that I did, but the only difference was that she was an unwed mother with a dependent child. Little did they know, she lives with her common law husband and just didn't declare his income on the forms. She agreed with me that it was unfair that I was denied, but when it comes down to a meager 500 dollars, how the heck do they expect us to feel about being denied?? Crapola, while I was working, I would have gladly forked over the 500 bucks to them if it meant that I could get the insurance, but sadly, that's not the way the system works.

Something seriously needs to change in this country regarding healthcare. It boggles my mind to think that your healthcare system denied you, considering the fact that you have 4 children!! If my friend was able to get approved in our system for one kid, then surely there is something wrong with your state's system for denying you and your four children. But it seems like mostly every state has their guidelines and standards for approval, but that is just ludicrous to deny someone with four children. I really feel for you, and am very sorry that you are being treated this way!!

Now that I'm not working, I suppose that I could go on the government's dime and apply for welfare or whatever, but none of us should have to be put in these situations to begin with. What frustrates the ever loving dog dirt out of me is the fact that my boyfriend of 3 years has one of the best healthcare plans there is through his job, but rarely uses it. I think he's been to a doctor twice in the last 3 years, no kidding around. He gets on my case all the time for not seeking proper medical treatment when I have NO health insurance, but never uses his. Explain that!!

If and when I do get married to my boyfriend (assuming he ever pops the question...), his copayment for his health plan would go from 20 bucks a month for just himself to $150.00 a month, should he add me to his plan. This sickens me, in more ways than one, considering the fact that without adequate healthcare, you're more prone to get physically sick along with the general disgust you feel towards the system in general.

But enough rambling already. I just feel really bad for your situation and I hope things get better soon for you.

Take care & Good luck,

~Eeyore

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~ R.I.P. Darrell Abbott 12/08/04