‘Don’t get sick. It’s too expensive’: medical debt is putting more Americans in financial crisis - eviltoast
  • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
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    11 months ago

    They eliminated pre-existing conditions and maximum lifetime payments for health insurance, so that’s not nothing.

    But they failed to pass a public option which means health insurance companies have a captive audience for their rent-seeking.

    And the Democrats still just talk about getting people affordable “coverage” and not affordable “care.”

    And hospitals are still understaffed and mental health care has six month waiting lists.

    • tmyakal@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      Where I live, all care has a six month wait list. I started a new job with new insurance back in April, still haven’t been able to get in anywhere to see a new PCP. My dentist canceled an appointment on me last week and rescheduled it for February.

      People say socialized medicine leads to long wait times to see doctors. Well, I’m not seeing them now anyway, so at least it’s less or of my pocket.

    • shikitohno@kbin.social
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      11 months ago

      Mental health care is also often just excluded from coverage. My current job is the first time in my life I’ve had insurance that would cover therapy rather than be like “Look, we gave you one 60 minute session with our free crisis line, what more do you want? If you really need it, it’s only $450 a session if it’s that important.”

      • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
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        11 months ago

        I had to call thirteen different therapy offices before I found one that could take me before summer.

        Of course, my health insurance website showed them all as “Accepting New Patients”

        • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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          11 months ago

          We have a single wait-list if none are available. They email you when there’s an opening at a PCP in the area, and you can veto or lemon-law two offers before you have to go around again.

        • shikitohno@kbin.social
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          11 months ago

          I haven’t really tested the limits on it, but so far at least one therapy session a week. Haven’t needed any inpatient care or anything beyond this, thus far, so I can’t comment on that.

    • corsicanguppy@lemmy.ca
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      11 months ago

      And the Democrats still just talk about getting people affordable “coverage” and not affordable “care.”

      You want to review how the Republicans actually convinced people, especially in the poorest regions who’d benefit the most from a system of improved coverage and reduced cost, that it was a bad thing.

      Democrats can’t shoot for affordable care; they’re trying to get coverage in the door, at least.

    • lolcatnip@reddthat.com
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      11 months ago

      And the Democrats still just talk about getting people affordable “coverage” and not affordable “care.”

      The charitable interpretation is that they’re talking about getting the government to pay for healthcare and they don’t want to make it sound like medical professionals would all become government employees.

        • lolcatnip@reddthat.com
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          11 months ago

          Because that would be a lot less popular. A lot of Americans are terrified of the scenario because they’re afraid of change in general, and they’re afraid the result would be run even worse than the system we have now, because they think governments are inherently less competent than private companies.

          I’m not talking about brainwashed Republicans; I mean centrist Dems whose support is absolutely vital for a Dem politician in almost any congressional district.

          • IHadTwoCows@lemm.ee
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            11 months ago

            You mean blue Republicans who get paid to perpetuate this bullshit. They aren’t Democrats; they’re fascist spies.

              • IHadTwoCows@lemm.ee
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                11 months ago

                Tell them thanks for keeping progress at bay and letting all the fascists have more free speech rights than the rest of us.