Thread by @EricaForNY

Hi, my name is Erica Vladimer. I'm running for Congress, and I don't have health insurance.

Today is the first day of open enrollment, so I'll be signing up for coverage, sharing some of the process as I do. nystateofhealth.ny.gov

I just tried to create a new account but a notification popped up saying I already have 3(!) associated with my email address? Waiting for the username to be emailed to me....

Ok, account recovered. Maybe it was created when I worked for the Senate? Let's get started....

Currently filling out demographic/standard info. First thing I notice: I can only choose Male/Female. NYC recently passed a law that adds a third gender to birth certificates: nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-ou…

Ah, okay, this is a bit better:

This question already confuses me. First- people w/chronic illnesses who "cannot work" actually do, because they can't afford not to.

Also, I have endometriosis. Technically, that's a "disorder," (I think?) not an illness. And it can last...well, forever. But I've had surgery to remove it. Twice. Does that mean it's not chronic? I'm going to say it's not, though it sure as hell feels like it.

Ideally I'd like to start my insurance for the remainder of 2019. I had no idea that, when I lost my health insurance after leaving my job, I qualified to enroll outside of the open enrollment period.
Why must there be a set open enrollment period? Reason #5324365745 we need #M4A

I'm now being asked about taxes, including if I'll be claiming any deductions in 2019...look, filing taxes isn't the easiest, and we haven't even filed our 2019 taxes yet. I just follow the steps on Turbo Tax, so I have no idea!

Asked if I can get healthcare coverage through a job (no, no I cannot). #MedicareForAll rightly guarantees that no one is tied to a job in order to have health insurance. How many workers stay at a toxic workplace because of the need for health insurance?

Wasn't expecting this- but happily surprised! (This doesn't take away from the fact that WE NEED AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION)

Y'all, this is really important. Designating a health care proxy ensures that your wishes are followed if/when you're unable to make the decision yourself. I've been friends battle with hospitals as to what kind of care to provide their (grand)parent because there wasn't a proxy.

This is...heartbreaking. Immigrants in NYC and across the country are forgoing access to public services because of the Trump administration's xenophobic policies like the public charge rule. Grateful that orgs like @MaketheRoadNY are fighting for our neighbors everyday.

@MaketheRoadNY Apparently, they cannot determine my eligibility, so I need to send them additional info: current lease or pay stubs or rent checks. Looking to see what I have on hand that I can upload. Imagine if someone was doing this at a library and didn't have access these docs?

@MaketheRoadNY Ok, it's time to pick a plan. I'm nervous. What if I don't want to stick w/ my current doctor? What if I'm prescribed a med in the future- how do I know it'll be covered (there's a new #endometriosis med on the market that I might need soon)? Reason #54678758453 why we need #M4A

@MaketheRoadNY I SPOKE TOO SOON. My enrollment journey comes to a screeching halt. That's...disappointing.
Healthcare is a basic human right and it's unacceptable that anyone should have to spend time navigating a long, intimidating process to *hopefully* get the coverage they need.

I'll pick this back up when I'm allowed to sign up.
So for now I'll end with this: WE NEED #MedicareForAll. Grateful for @NYSenatorRivera and @DickGottfried, the sponsors of the NY Health Act, and for presidential candidate @BernieSanders who fights every day for this right.