Threats to the ACA make me feel almost physically ill. Many non-Americans, or even wealthier citizens, don't know anything about living without health insurance. It is awful, even when you are young, healthy, and otherwise privileged.
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I grew up middle class, but after college didn't get the kind of job that provides health insurance. Who can afford to pay for it our of pocket? This began a four year period of mostly not having insurance.
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Once I needed to see a Dr. and called a clinic to ask what the price would be. They flat out refused to answer. "Depends what the doctor orders!" In the end I talked to a Dr. for about 25 minutes, with no other treatment. They charged $300 - a whole week's wages. 3
Once I got a UTI and couldn't afford to be seen. My kind, kind friend smuggled a little bottle of my urine into her Dr. and got antibiotics for me. I don't know what I would have done otherwise. 4
Once I got extremely, extremely sick with food poisoning- rushed to the ER. Without insurance, they didn't test me for anything. Just gave an anti-diarrheal and set me free. Luckily found a kind Dr. to help - no money for a test, so just took 1 mos of antibiotics instead. 5
The worst was getting pregnant right after leaving a job (despite excellent birth control). I had just been denied by Kaiser b/c of a stint with depression in college. Pregnancy was a pre-existing condition. 6
These are the experiences of someone without any major health conditions, and with a lot of education. Our system is a friggin' mess. And we absolutely need to keep as many Americans insured as we can. 7
People without insurance are making life or death choices while worrying about the bill. And are fearing every moment that some small mistake, or some small problem will bankrupt them. Not to mention, are being treated awfully by the medical establishment. 8
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