Day Twenty-Three of The Project:

As I mentioned yesterday, a friend and I hung around a local gas station today to collect donations to help people affected by the flood. We used a gimmick (donate the difference between what you paid today for gas and the cost of gas before the price started going down) and it seemed to work really well! We were there for four hours and collected almost $600! And the very nice owner of the gas station agreed to let us leave a donation jar on his counter to collect a little more. We are very happy about this because we’ve been really pushing to raise as much money as possible before the first freeze of the season. There are still plenty of houses that do not have electricity (they have to have their houses inspected by a certified electrician before the electric company will resume service) and now they’re racing to beat the clock because if they can’t get the electricity back on they’re going to risk frozen pipes. Plus we’re trying to beef up people’s wardrobes for the colder weather and Christmas is around the corner and we’re planning on having a Christmas party for people affected by the flood and we want to make sure all the kids get at least one present.

Ok, now to the part where I bitch and moan. When I was fired from the Evil Empire I decided not to continue my health insurance because it would have cost me way too much. I opted, instead, to apply for Iowa Care which is for lower income people and people who have jobs that do not offer insurance. You pay a monthly premium based on your income (they’re very low or even free if your income is low enough). I was approved for the insurance but instead of health care, I’ve gotten nothing but frustration. I’ve had knee pain recently so I called to make an appointment. All Iowa Care recipients have to be seen at the University of Iowa Hospitals which is about 30 miles from my city. When I called I was informed that I would be put on the waiting list and that it would probably be at least 9 months (yep, I said 9 MONTHS) before I would be eligible to make an appointment. Apparently, because of the flood, the number of people who were approved for Iowa Care has skyrocketed. They used to have one doctor (yep, ONE doctor) who saw all the people but they’re adding two more doctors (wow! TWO whole doctors?!) since there is such a waiting list. She suggested that if I didn’t feel I could wait that long I should go to either the free clinic in town or go to the clinic that offers services on a sliding fee scale.

Ok, here are my issues with that. I’ve heard nothing but scary stories about the poor care that is received at the free clinic. You cannot make an appointment; you have to show up in the morning and sit and wait to see if you can get in to see a doctor that day. It’s common that you have to show up two or three days and sit in the lobby all day before you actually get to see someone. So if you actually have a job, that’s not really an option.

The other clinic in town that I could go to provides services based on your income. So, in addition to paying for the Iowa Care premium that isn’t doing me one fucking bit of good, I would also have to pay to see a doctor who is not under Iowa Care. When I called to find out the average price people have to pay to be seen there, I was quoted $60. Um, that’s only about $20 less than my regular doctor charges. Now, I’m not worried about the cost because I have plenty of savings but what about the people who have nothing? I told her I needed to make an appointment and she told me they were making appointments for January. January?! What the fuck, people?!

I knew health care was fucked up when I was working but I now see just how fucked up it is. Unless you have a job that provides health care coverage (and you can afford to pay the ever rising premiums) you are just screwed. I have a sore knee, I’m going to need medication refills soon, and I have NO options for care in the near future. And what if I really had no money and was facing more serious health concerns? What do those people do? I used to get frustrated with people who used the emergency room like a health clinic but now I know why some people do that – it’s the only way they can see a doctor!

And even if you can get in to see a doctor under Iowa Care, the only thing that is covered are medical concerns and only the medication prescribed specifically for the ailment you saw the Iowa Care doctor for. No general prescription assistance, no mental health coverage. I’ve never felt so scared about my health and such pressure to stay well and uninjured. I’m so outraged that people are forced to grovel for basic health care and then wait for months and months. It’s just so fucking ridiculous that it would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic for so many people.

Deep breath.

Positive Self-Reflection

I’m passionate about fighting for rights for the “under dog.”

Courtesy of www.NorthernSun.com