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A Big, Unfortunate and Expensive Illustration for Health Reform
By Hanh Kim Quach
Health Access California
The Wall Street Journal had this tragic story last week about a Merced man -- who was insured -- but still socked with a $1.2 million hospital bill (not counting thousands in doctor's office bills also).
What happened to Jim Dawson, of Merced, that landed with debt that could bankrupt him is a textbook example of what health consumer advocates have been fighting to reform for years.
Dawson had a good job with Valero Energy Corp., a big oil refinery. He had Valero-sponsored comprehensive health insurance policy, and a regular primary care physician who knew his medical history, *should* not have been vulnerable to medical-financial angst. That's at least what many think. But Dawson's story shows how anyone can be vulnerable.
December 3, 2007 | Read More | Comments (4)
At the Call of the Speaker
By Hanh Kim Quach
Health Access California
Shane Goldmacher at Capitol Alert has the scoop on the most recent developments:
The Assembly sessions for December 5th and 6th are now postponed. There was an issue that they conflicted with retreats with the Assembly and Senate Republican caucuses, and it seems they need more time in negotiating on health reform.
We've heard from various Assembly offices that the Speaker has asked members to be available within 24 hours notice.
November 29, 2007 | Read More | Comments (0)
Not Just a Word, But a Challenge
By Anthony Wright
Executive Director
Health Access California
As health reform negotiations go on, I continue to be puzzled why the Governor has yet to publicly budge on having some--any--affordability standard for individuals in the context of a mandate. Any other politician, concerned about voter reaction, would not just include affordability in their plan, but lead with it. The presidential Democratic candidates, like Clinton, Obama, and Edwards, both provide assurances to voters than coverage will be affordable, both in terms of costs (tied to a percentage of their income), or in terms of benefits (for example, saying that people should have access to coverage as good as what Congress gets).
Some, like healthcare blogger Alan Katz, have criticized the notion of an affordability exemption--saying it undermines the point of a mandate. The Governor's team asks, "don't you want universal coverage?" Of course, but I think they misunderstand the point.
November 28, 2007 | Read More | Comments (2)
And Then What?
By Hanh Kim Quach
Health Access California
The America's Health Insurance Plans is patting itself on the back for discovering that the majority of high-deductible health plans, which are connected to Health Savings Accounts, cover recommended preventive benefits -- meaning that patients can go in and get pap smears, well-baby visits, colonoscopies without having to pay full price for the office visit.
Okay... that's a good start. But what happens when your preventive screening shows you have Diabetes? Asthma? Breast Cancer? Then what?
Herein lies the problem. Actually, there are a couple problems.
November 20, 2007 | Read More | Comments (0)
Connie
FRESNO
I can’t afford health insurance even though I work full time. I don’t qualify for public assistance and I’m too young for Medicare.
I have cataracts, but I can’t afford to get them taken care of. My glasses cost me over $450 dollars – that was a month's worth of income for me.
Where does that leave people like me?
Maria
VISALIA
My husband has diabetes, and even though he has insurance, it’s costing us a fortune. We are spending about $400 dollars a week on healthcare costs. In addition, some of his prescriptions are not covered and one of them is costing us $200 a month.
This has been very difficult for us. Our hard earned money is going straight to medications and co-pays instead of paying for our bills.
To make things worse, I don’t have insurance for another 3 months. My husband’s new job has a waiting period of 90 days before I am allowed on his policy.
Jim
BAKERSFIELD
Over the past six years our employer’s health insurance has doubled. We don’t want to lose the coverage we have, but it’s getting expensive to maintain it. Last year alone the costs went up 22% from the previous year.
We chose to keep the same health insurance, but it took months of negotiations. If costs continue to rise we might have to start dropping our benefits to lower them – I don’t want to see that happen.
Everyone should be provided with affordable, quality healthcare. If everyone had health insurance, all of our costs would go down.
Cathy
BAKERSFIELD
My father was able to successfully manage his diabetes for a long time. After he lost his job, purchasing COBRA coverage was much too expensive, so he had to go without.
Without the medical treatment to control his diabetes, a small infection escalated until he lost both his legs.
David
BERKELEY
These days, we’re spending almost one third of our monthly income on health insurance.
The insurance plan for my wife and I jumped from $595 to $875. We originally tried to add our daughter to the plan, but it was just too expensive. We ended up getting her a plan own plan, but that shot up 250%.
