The Health Care Crisis and Other Matters For the Survival of The Middle Class

I work so that I may have health care insurance as my husband is on Social Security Disablity.  He has been a diabetic since age seven and diabetes is a very complicated disease that has taken a toll on his health. I cannot begin to even tell you the maze of confusion and frustration that we go through.

I remember about 10 years ago talking to a health insurance representative and explaining that not everything is cut and dry. She told me the proper paperwork had not been filed.  I remember like it was yesterday calling the health insurance company and asking what had to be done.  One told me one thing and when I called back another told me another form had to be filled out.  Only when I had documented that I had spoken to so and so did they look into it further and realized that an error on their part was made.  This was about the time he had to have triple bypass.  Needless to say the stress was unbearable of preparing for this surgery.  I remember the telephone calls the night before he was scheduled for this operation.  Three times the operation was cancelled as the doctor performing the operation had more pressing issues.  The fourth time we were at the hospital early in the morning.  Sitting in the chair at the hospital antipaticing what was going to happen I and my husband were prepared what was going to be.  That same morning a clerk at the hospital told me that the doctor was not going to perform the surgery as they they did not have my husband's records in order.  I remember the anger that I felt.  After all, again, it took a lot of stress for I and my husband to prepare for this surgery.  At this point I was done and so was my husband.  I marched into the surgeon's office that day demanding I speak to someone.  Little did I know that the man I was speaking to was the actual surgeon.  A brilliant surgeon named Dr. Hartman assisted me.  The irony of it all was that at that point I did not care if it was the President of the United States as I wanted results.  I wanted to ease my husband's pain both physically and mentality. 

How dare they play with our emotions like that.   We had dotted all the t's and crossed the i's.  Unless you have been through the worldwind of when a loved one has a health care crisis you will not understand.

That was only one of the many experiences we have dealt with when it comes to health care.  The constant doctor appointments, the numerous prescriptions that must be filled, not to mention the co payments and doctors being out of network.  There has been many a time my husband had to go to the Emergency Room because of low glucose levels, heart problems, and other issues.  The hospital sometimes does not have a doctor on call who is in network.  What am I and other people in my situation suppose to do.  Say "Wait, before you can operate on my husband or loved one let me know if they are in my plan." Or should I say, "Before you operate or perform a procedure let me call the 800 number on my card to determine if this will be covered.  Should I wait on the telephone for "Press 1 for English or 2 for Spanish."

Why is it that illegals who cannot speak English and have no address are entitled to more than my husband.  He worked from age 16 to age 46 dealing with his diabetes issues.  He did not want a free ride and like our Veterans who served our country who also must go through a maze when they need assistance.

I am angry and sad that my family who have tried their best is caught in a maze of confusion.  We lived within our means and tried our best to pay our bills and worked hard. 

Why should we have to continue to pay for others who did not do the same.  There were times we did not dot our i's and cross our t's.  After all we were in a crisis situation.  We are not going on elaborate vacations, dodging the IRS, or not paying our mortgage.  Our children did not have the best, but they had food, shelter, and clothing. 

We live in a time where if you own anything that is not advantage.  It does not matter if you and your spouse worked hard all their lives and sacrificed.  What matters in today's world is how to play the game.  Do not pay your mortgage, your property taxes and other bills if you can.  Learn to play the game and get a free ride.  If you do not know how to do this you will not win. 

I remember my husband almost losing his foot to diabetes as his primary doctor did not see the small cut on the bottom of his foot.  The weeks upon weeks that he suffered in the hospital.  The endless telephone calls to this doctor, the health care insurance company, and other medical personnel.  All did not care how much he was suffering they only cared about crossing the t's and dotting the i's.  I pray they will not ever have to endure what he went through.  When and if they have a health care issue I hope they have someone on the other end of the telephone who understands and helps them through the endless amount of paperwork and telephone calls.

My and my husbands situation is not unique.  There are so many others in our situation. 

Maybe the answer is as simple as people who have a true health care situation wear a T-Shirt with the "Hippocratic Oath" on it.  Then possibly when the go to the hospital, a doctor's office or other health care provider they can remind the health care people of what it means when you are sick. 

People who are sick and suffering only want to relieve their pain.  Their thoughts are not with dotting i's and crosing t's.  Think of having a continual toothache and not being able to find a dentist.