"It's going to be expensive. Do you still want to purchase it?"

[Ishoutandscream2]

I am a dying breed here in the US - a part we have called the middle class. I am so fortunate to have a steady job (as does my wife), and we have health insurance and a pension plan. Very lucky compared to most, including many here on DU. The stories of woe I hear at DU sadden and frighten me - people without jobs, losing homes, no health insurance, no pension plans, etc.

Since Bush took office, I have found that I no longer have savings. Granted, I pay everything off at the end of the month (except for a house payment and one car payment). I have three children, and of course as they grow, their expenses grow along with them. Still, about six to eight months ago, I was paying 3.25 a gallon for milk. That price has gone up a dollar since, including the price of all groceries. All because of the price of oil - and let's not talk about how that is hitting everyone's pocketbooks. After all is said and done, the piggy bank is bare, but again, we are not in credit card debt and are very, very lucky.

Anyway, to my story. All of my family the past week have been sick, except for me. My oldest daughter went in to the doctor and was diagnosed with a minor strain of strep. My wife, who never is sick and never complains, went in also and has a very serious form of strep. Rose, my daughter, was prescribed amoxicillan, but my wife was prescribed a stronger form of medication.

When I picked up my wife's prescription, the nice young lady's first words out of her mouth were, "It's going to be expensive. Do you still want to purchase it?" I said that I had to, in my 15 years of marriage, I had never seen my wife so sick. The price of the prescription was 71 bucks, with insurance, and it was a generic. I asked the young lady how much would it be without my insurance - 92 bucks. I made a statement where everyone could hear about how our nation needed a national healthcare service. I apologized to the young lady, saying it was obviously not her fault, and big pharma was to blame. She was very sweet, and said she perfectly understood.

Now, again, I'm middle class. I'm living the so-called American dream. Yet, this in itself was outrageous, and I have to count every penny to live. I can't imagine what it is like to be truly poor and without any type of insurance in this country. Something has got to change, and fast. No sick American should be asked about his medication to help cure - "It's going to be expensive. Do you still want to purchase it?" Our priorities in this nation are truly screwed up.

[ixion]

1. "Our priorities in this nation are truly screwed up."

yep, you said it.

[Winterblues]

19. Are you suggesting our Defense Spending (Our killing machine)

Should not be America's number one Priority. Why should healing people take precedence over killing them? I don't understand your logic...:shrug:

[ixion]

23. logic: you catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar

;)

[redqueen]

2. Oh, something will change all right.

It'll take lots more people feeling it, but we'll change things eventually... I'm sure.

[El Pinko]

3. Some insurance - only saves you a lousy $22.

What a rip.

[spinbaby]

4. We're pretty much in your situation

Except we've got one kid in college. We're trying desperately to get him through without loans.

[Ishoutandscream2]

8. Boy, I can understand your pain

We're talking about our oldest daughter right now, and how we are going to take care of it. I don't want her getting out with a mortgage type student loan after her schooling is over.

[spinbaby]

15. Get her into a state school

They're sort of affordable. Our son is going to a state school. Unfortunately, it's in another state but it's still more affordable than most private schools.

[BadgerLaw2010]

5. I was asked this about an MRI for a severe back injury when I was between insurance.

Fortunately, my family is rich. As it was I needed immediate surgery for an L5/S1 disc that was causing nerve damage, which we also paid for out-of-pocket.

Not really a viable alternative for the average American, though.

[AndyA]

6. What's truly disgusting is the amount of money being spent on these campaigns.

Just imagine how much good that money could do in getting our veterans off the streets, providing health care for those who need it and can't afford it, buying prescription medicines, etc.

If you aren't disturbed by it, you aren't human.

America's check book is open to Iraq, but closed to America. It's pathetic.

[Ishoutandscream2]

10. Yep, you nailed it.

And Bush's budget - cuts in medicare and medicaid. Vetoes plan to insure more children. Pentagon budget and defense - more money asked. Sick, sick, sick.

[NNN0LHI]

13. America's check book is open to Iraq? WTF?

Yea we are providing $100,000 dollars a year mercenaries to slaughter them.

My guess is the Iraqis would be very happy if the US would close that check book.

I know I would.

Don

[Hydra]

24. Actually, this will make you sick:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackwater_USA

"Blackwater charges the government $1,222 per day per guard, equivalent to $445,000 per year"

[Obamanaut]

16. Campaign cost was mentioned on Letterman the other night

Hillary was the guest, and they bandied a half billion dollars about like it was nothing - this amount being the total for all candidates combined. Dave mentioned something to the effect that this amount of money would go a long way toward feeding the hungry in the U.S.

As to the open checkbook, there is the issue of run-a-way congressional earmarks, foreign aid in the form of dollars, military equipment, military bases, etc. I think it would be nice to close the checkbook for awhile and bring lots of those men and women home - especially the one being shot at and blown apart.

[leftchick]

7. I dread having to pay for my son's insulin without insurance

$400.00 every 5-6 weeks. I do not know how diabetics without insurance can afford it. :scared:

[Ishoutandscream2]

9. Jesus Christ!

How fucking insane is that?

[leftchick]

12. truly insane

I think of poor uninsured kids with type 1 diabetes and wonder how the fuck they live in this country.

:cry:

[eridani]

36. They die. About 15 years ago there was a case in So Cal--

--in which a single mom just gave up and went to a faith healer, who insisted that the kid didn't need the insulin she couldn't afford anyway.

[sinkingfeeling]

11. My dog has been diabetic for 4 years. She's using Humulin N insulin which has almost doubled in

price since 2004. I spend about $350 a month on her health needs. She doesn't have insurance and even though she's about 89 in people years, has no Medicare.

[Ishoutandscream2]

27. Your dog, like my dogs, are also my children

I love them so much. I know you are spending so much on your dog, but that shows what a wonderful person you are. Dogs are truly God's gift. When my dogs pass on some day, it will be like losing one of my family.

You're a good egg, and hang in there.

[sinkingfeeling]

34. Thanks. She's my love.

[PRETZEL]

21. It truely is insane,

My stepson's a type 1 and if not for insurance (and supplies that are provided with no co-pay) it's hard, and even harder as they grow and the amount of insulin increases disproportionally with the precsription. Luckily we only have to pay co-pays for his insulin and needles. Test strips (which are really expensive) are provided through the hospital ancillary program.

But we're still paying close to 150 a month out of pocket.

[fudge stripe cookays]

40. I have MS,

I need Betaseron shots every other day to stay healthy. Plus, I also need an extra dosage birth control pill so my remaining ovary doesn't explode from the nasty endometriosis that I have.

I just "separated" from my employer, and my husband just arrived here in Wisconsin so is also looking for work. I'm getting COBRA, but for both of us it is more than our rent.

I'm really beginning to regret this move.

[LoveleeRita]

14. So insurance picked up $21??

How gracious of them! We pay high premiums, high copays, high out of pocket expenses and they pay a measly $21!!

[riderinthestorm]

17. Having health insurance doesn't guarantee financial health

If you've seen Sicko, you already know that co-pays, deductibles and pharmaceuticals can wipe out your monthly take home pay, even if you have decent health insurance.

We've got pretty good Blue Cross insurance that we pay a LOT of money for every month (and the employer does too!) but my husband's cancer treatment co-pays, drugs, biopsies, pet scans etc. etc. mean that some months we pay more than $600 out of pocket on top of our monthly payment to BCBS.

Gas, food costs, health care - the average family that is holding their own right now is getting nickeled and dimed to the very bare bones of financial existence.

My oldest daughter graduates from college in May and I am incredibly relieved we got her through without any massive debt on her part or ours, but I am freaking out about paying for our youngest girl when she goes. We don't have nearly enough saved for her, and college costs are spiralling way up. With the monthly drain on our finances at an all time high, I can't even begin to imagine how we can squeeze more out of the budget to save for that.

And retirement?! Snort!

[zorahopkins]

18. I Would Have Called My Doctor

I have been in a similar situation -- a needed prescription at a prohibitive cost.

Before authorizing the pharmacy to go ahead an fill the prescription, I phoned my doctor's office, and explained what was going on.

I spoke to the doctor -- who said he had no idea that the medicine he had prescribed would be so expensive!!!!!

He spoke ti the pharmacist, and authorized another similar medicine that was less than half the cost of what he had originally prescribed.

The lesson I learned was ALWAYS ask!

[AzDar]

20. Here's something gross, yet informative...Hubby had one of those weird

toenail nasties going on; he thinks he got it from the gym.
Anyhoo, it was getting really uncomfortable: looked like that commercial where the animated green snot-goblins pry up an animated toenail and party like it's 1999.
Now our family physician is a wise old wizard, and he he initially prescribed the very same prescription ointment as seen in that commercial....then he says, 'hold on a second', and leaves the room to check the cost of the 'scrip on our Health care Provider's formulary.
He came back in and told Hubby that the tube o' goop that they were pimping in the ad would cost 210.00 (WITH insurance!).
Our Doc said 'to hell with that', tore up the prescription, and told Hubbo to buy a jar of Vick's VapoRub, and apply it under the nail :puke: with a cuticle stick twice a day for the same result. And sure enough, it worked.

And I still firmly believe that John Edwards had it right when he said, 'you cannot allow these guys (insurance companies) a seat at the table'. There's no room for pirates like that.....

[femrap]

22. I learned something about your

situation after talking with my pharmacist. Generics can be made EITHER by the company who makes the original (which is your case) or by another all together different company (which will be MUCH cheaper).

It's a shame that another company doesn't make that drug that your wife needed.

I hate Corporations...but Big Pharma holds a special place in my heart.

Oh...please stop drinking cow's milk...it's really bad for you. Once you are weaned off of your mother's milk, you shouldn't go looking around for another mammal's milk. Soy milk could substitute...but good old WATER is the best drink of all...I put a Pur filter on my tap.

John Edwards was going to fight these guys...now, we're screwed.

[Prophet 451]

25. This is insane

Here, you'd pay £6.50 (about $13) as a contribution to the cost of the drugs, that's all and the young, old and poor are exempt even from that. Yes, all the candidates in the primaries, on both sides, seem to be talking about funnelling even more money to the insurance companies that have played a very large part in causing this mess.

Here, the NHS costs about 5% of the national tax burden (France, which has a better system, is 7.5%) and the standard of care is roughly the same (minus brand-names and luxurious hospitals, the NHS tends toward generics and functional to keep costs down) or, to put it another way, the average family (income around £24k) pays roughly two thousand pounds each year to keep the NHS running and that covers ALL of your health needs, no matter how minor or major.

So why are none of the candidates stating the obvious - that the insurance companies need to be, if not removed entirely, then certainly removed from their position of power. Both Hillary's and Obama's plans just seem to give the insurance companies even MORE power. Are they scared of the insurance industries ability to throw piles of money around? Has the American public been so brainwashed by years of pro-capitalist rhetoric that they see galloping communism in any program for the public good? I wish I could figure this out because to us Euros, this just looks fucking insane.

[Hydra]

26. Since you're still sort of floating

I would seriously consider getting out of here to someplace safer. It's only a matter of time before the economy gets flushed, and you have kids to worry about.

I'm still working, but I've been at the bottom for years now, seeing the writing on the wall...but having no way to flee the upcoming disaster.

I haven't seen a doctor in 7 years now...not that I miss him. I was wasting 200-300 a month going to him to get incorrect diagnoses and meds.

[SoCalDem]

28. I saw an older guy a few months ago at Rite-Aid "try" to pick up his prescriptions

The clerk brought out a small bag with his meds in it..the ticket attached had a total of $470-something...

The old guy said something, and she opened it.. When the price got down to $250-something, he took out his checkbook and wrote her a check.. I'm not sure which ones he had her "take off" his bill, but that old man left without 3 bottles of pills..

[Maine-ah]

29. why do they charge insurance companies less

for services than those paying cash at time of service, since they have to wait for the insurance company to pay them? Makes no sense.

[RebelOne]

30. Too bad you didn't know about this Web site.

I buy all my antibiotics here. They are human strength and no different than prescription. You could have saved a heap of money.

www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/10993/product.web

[wintersoulja]

31. QUIET, You!

You want Hillary to mandate pet insurance?

[SoCalDem]

32. How do you get them without a "note from your vet"

:)

[RebelOne]

39. You don't need a note or prescription.

I've been buying antibiotics for years through pet supply Web sites and I have taken them for years with no ill effects.

[ThatsMyBarack]

33. Before I got decent health insurance....

....that actually covered my Rxs, I used to hate it when pharmacists told me, "This Rx will be expensive." :mad:

[oregonjen]

35. I read this thread this morning and then had my own experience today

My son is sick, needs antibiotics. Went to our pharmacy to pick them up. Turns out, with our new insurance, Zithromax costs $50 and they were all out of the generic brand. Well, the pharmacist who has helped us for 10 years gave us the generic brand price which was $15. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to save us money. I would have paid $50 because my son needed it and I didn't feel like dragging him to another pharmacy, while he is sick. Under our old insurance, Zithromax (not generic) cost us $10. I have had to get several prescriptions through the years. Unbelievable. I'm grateful for our health insurance, but I'm mad that my husband's company switched ins. companies to save them money. Screws us in the process. I'm also grateful for a caring pharmasist.

[cedric]

37. Reading this thread

makes me realise the benefits of being British

[hfojvt]

38. I can never understand how people can stand to not have savings

I could not handle that. I currently have over $600 in savings and another $3500 in CDs. Plus, I recently put $500 in my IRA and the IRS owes me a few hundred bucks.

My income last year? Around $11,000 after I paid for insurance and mandatory pension contribution.

I am not sure if I saved any money last year though, or if this is the amount I had saved from previous years when I made more money. But I did not dip into it too much, even if I may not have added to it.

Then consider my unnecessary expenses, which I could do without if I had to.

two dogs (and last year I got a new one and had another one die and I spent something like $600 trying to extend her life by a few months, and then another $100 or so renting a van so she could go on one final short trip to see her favorite niece)
high speed internet
internet genealogy service
Kiwanis club
Donation to DU
$60 worth of Edwards materials (buttons, cloth shopping bag, duffel)
rental for trip to state convention to distribute Edwards buttons (I may not have mentioned, I don't own a car)
too much pop + potato chips that I consume
four magazine subscriptions
water (just kidding, although I actually had it shut off for a year to protest their billing which hits small customers too hard IMO. Because of where I work, I can swim and shower for free. Plus I took two gallon jugs to work every day and filled them with water, and the library is nearby for a toilet.)

So there's $1500-2000 that I could save if I had to, and I am sure there were other frills. I have two laptops and two bicycles, but they were purchased a while ago. I did "have" to buy a new monitor and $150 in repairs on my laptop too, now that I think of it.

It helps that my house is paid for and that I live without a car, but those are things that I made happen by design.

[LibertyLover]

41. Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago

My husband had a bout of diverticulitis. His family care doctor put him on antibiotics, but they didn't work. So his gastroenterologist put him on a stronger drug. It was $95 with health insurance, without it would have been $198. That was for 10 pills. He has a number of health issues, so that in order to not max out our insurance, I don't go to the doctor except if I'm really feeling awful, which means I haven't been in a few years. Luckily our 5 year old daughter is pretty healthy and only needs to see her pediatrician for preventive care.

[WinkyDink]

42. Poor people are supposed to die.