Blogging has resulted in my drawing people to me with interesting proposals. Most of these involve an attempt to place various body parts into other body parts and would result in their incarceration if I took their offers seriously and notified the local constabulary. But then there are the real folks who ask me to review books, one who asked me to be interviewed for her CD series on dating after 50, and another who asked me to co-star in a major motion picture. I was, at that time, too busy blogging about my cat, and so the part went to Angelina Jolie.
The latest request was from a group that works with statistics in order to assess the state of our health care system. This request was especially of interest to me because as of January 1, I had been flirting with potential doom by not having medical coverage. I can hear your gasps all the way through the computer screen: You will be ruined if anything happens to you! Yes, I answer, I know! And isn’t it exciting? I haven’t flaunted danger to such an extent since I chose to secretly date non-Jewish boys against my parents’ wishes.
Why did I do this. You ask? I did it because I was getting a tad bit tired of paying $837 a month for medical insurance for just me.
Let’s look at the illustration above (taken directly from the Medical Billing and Coding Certification website, which posted the researchers’ data), filled with many fascinating statistics about our health care system. This illustration is compelling evidence that I am completely unable to work with anything resembling basic technology. I am inept. If you want ept, I can send you a list of bloggers I follow who are able to turn their posts into veritable trips to Disney World (You know who you are, Jules). For now, you’ll have to take my word for the following:
The chart is titled “Americans Can’t Afford Health Care.” This is followed by “The average American family spends $19,393 annually for health care.” My individual care was costing $10,044. That’s a couple trips to Europe, an Alaskan cruise, and a lot of cute shoes. Or six months’ worth of mortgage payments, and maybe one pair of cute shoes.
Sixty per cent of personal bankruptcies are linked to medical bills. Fourteen countries, including most of Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia have lower medical costs than we do in the US of A. We spend twice as much on health care as the Japanese (and they go to the doctor 2-3 times as much as we do.)
Ah, you ask, where do you get all those cute shoes? Stand back, I’m trying to be serious here. Even more surprising is that we drink and smoke way less than some of these countries. Here’s the real reason medical costs are so high:
1. Hospitals overcharge for Visits: The cost of a hospital stay here is $3181. In the world, $1050
Prescription drugs: $125 vs $63
Routine checkup $59 vs $29
CT scan $950 vs $530
Giving birth: $7473 vs $3400
2. Hospital waste is massive (dollars, not the stuff put into bags) compared to other countries
3. Outpatient care costs are massive, compared to other countries
4. Medical and dental professions account for 14 of the highest paid professions in the US (Yes, I know that many nurses are overworked and underpaid. And many doctors aren’t getting rich, because of malpractice insurance)
The conclusion is that by 2030, medical insurance will exceed income for the average family.
All this data is from one publication, with a bibliography of 14 sources. I haven’t checked all the data, but the numbers I did check are cited in many other sources as well. So what does all this mean? You tell me. These folks want feedback.
As for me, congratulations are in order. As of today, I am covered by Medicare. I survived three months of no health insurance, and my monthly insurance bill will now be about a third of what it was before. To celebrate, I bought a pair of cute shoes.
The red flags are telling you to RUN!!!!!!!! The other way of course. This guy is not right, please listen to the advice given....
mswings:
I also had 35 years of a what I thought was a good marriage. Now that I've been on my own for about 2 years I am finding out I'm Ok and I love being by myself. I applied for a job that I would never have applied for when I was married
Hey Glory I hate to tell you that your post sounds well Dodgy! Like a come on ( No pun intended!) for a Call Girl site or similar. This is a genuine web-site for friendship only- nothing sexual.
So either post a valid point or get the flock out of i
I love this article because it just demonstrates how no one is immune to this silent thief. I signed the registry. I hope others will join me.
I enjoyed your article, but kidding aside,I am one of them who cant afford health insurance. I am years away from medi-care and too old to get pregnant. (in this state if you have kids or are pregnant you are automatically covered) You can move here from china, get pregnant and boom you are covered. But if you worked all our life and paid into the state, you cant get it. I am on a list for state insurance which you do pay for, however there are 190,000 people on the list in front of me, so it doesnt look promising. After getting divorced last year after 35 yrs of marriage, I am struggling to keep my home and small business. Any suggestions? I am not willing to get re-married to remedy this either. lol
Going without health insurance was a huge decision for me. I was well aware of the consequences. For me, it was only a few months, but I feel for those who go years without insurance. Until our country wakes up to the disservice we are doing our citizens, things won’t change. As the cost of medical care rises, the quality goes down. We sink lower and lower on any world standard for health care and well-being.
I haven’t had health insurance for about 8 years now. As a self-employed person, I don’t have access to a group plan. As a woman over 50, my female-ness was considered a ‘pre-existing condition.’ I have never been diagnosed with an illness, but I MIGHT BE. Yup. That was the state of the medical insurance BEFORE ‘Obamacare.’
Now, for the first time in 8 years, I am able to find insurance through private insurers based on my financial status and without ‘pre-existing conditions’ being a factor. I haven’t enrolled yet because I’m still shopping around.
As a taxpayer for almost 50 years, I claimed some of my returns in the form of benefits in taxpayer supported mammograms and pap tests. Thankfully these programs were made available to women like me who fell through the holes of the insurance rich or just plain rich. My other medical expenses were paid out of my pocket.
I worked during the years of 100% insurance coverage. I know what it’s like to feel safe and secure, health care wise. Now, I’m thankful for every program I can find.
I’m also thankful for ObamaCare. I can finally get the health care I need.
Our County Health Department, through the State, had GREAT programs, even for people our age. You have to really do the research and it ain’t easy! AND, as we speak, they are trying to cut more and more programs. Google the CDC (Centers For Disease Control) or go to my blog where I talk about this and a lot of ideas. <a href=”http://remarkablewrinklies.com/category/diet-health-fitness/breast-cancer-awareness/” target=”_blank”>Breast And Cervical Cancer Programs</a>
Of course, breast and cervical health aren’t the only health issues we need at our age, but it’s a start. I’m in the process of trying to find a program for a colonoscopy. It takes a lot of work to find available programs. Hopefully, our government will always see the need to provide avenues for everyone to have basic health care.
Good luck and remember… it does take work to find what you need, but it is not impossible.
Oh yeah, I will be joining the Medical Tourism groups as the years go by and certain tests become necessary. I’ve heard wonderful things from people who have had procedures/surgeries in countries other than the USA. Yup. It’s true.
Patti, your comments are fascinating, and I applaud your diligence. Of course, that wouldn’t help with a catastropic event (which is what everyone warns about), nut a basically healthy person would stand a good chance of getting by. And I’ve had a taste of medical tourism. I got sick on my last trip to London to see my daughter. The visit to the doctor and the meds were free. Plus, it was the easiest, most efficient doctor’s appt I have ever experienced. I will check out your blog!