Reply #22: Universal Health Care

[filer]

Will I still be alive to see to see universal health care? Today, approaching my 57th birthday, I can see my options running out. Having survived 18 years with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, the only insurance available to me is through Oklahoma's high risk pool. That insurance is costing me $7200 per year with a $5000 annual deductible. I have already used up half of my $500,000 policy limit and I still have eight years left before I become eligible for Medicare. When my insurance runs out I will be forced to spend down the rest of my retirement savings before state Medicaid coverage will determine what treatments and medical course of action they deem appropriate. By then, I'll be destitute and it won't matter much.

From where I sit, this country doesn't consider health care a "fundamental moral value". The other party's position on this is absolutely clear. That the Democrats, my party, are testing the waters offers a least a glimmer of hope, but only a glimmer. Universal health care by 2012? I'll believe it if I live to see it.