As an emergency physician in West Michigan for the last 20 years, this analysis of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan around 2009 correlates with the stories my patients would share with me. (1/5)
Coverage became so deficient and rates so high that patients would talk about avoiding the ER in times of crisis, and ignoring symptoms in the hopes they'd simply get better. Others would ration their care, or try to save up their pills or insulin just to avoid bankruptcy. (2/5)
And a decade later, astronomical out-of-pocket expenses with rising co-pays and deductibles upwards of $2000 have ushered in an era of rationing by patients WITH insurance. Like the 50 year-old I saw a few weeks ago having a heart attack for 5 days. FIVE. (3/5)
In the ER, minutes=muscle. Imagine how much muscle one loses in 5 days/7200 minutes. That's why #MedicareforAll is not just a moral imperative, but an economic imperative. Without it, people will continue to die while the CEO of @BCBSM made $19.2 Million in 2018. (4/5)
@BCBSM I cannot speak to @petebuttigieg's work but I know first-hand the effect that BCBS premium hikes had on my patients, and the layoffs had on Michigan. Thank you @wendellpotter for sharing your experience and analysis. (5/5)
In the ER, minutes=muscle. Imagine how much muscle one loses in 5 days/7200 minutes. That's why #MedicareforAll is not just a moral imperative, but an economic imperative. Without it, people will continue to die while the CEO of @BCBSM made $19.2 Million in 2018. (4/5)
I cannot speak to @petebuttigieg's work but I know first-hand the effect that BCBS premium hikes had on my patients, and the layoffs had on Michigan. Thank you @wendellpotter for sharing your experience and analysis. (5/5)
