I have several friends who are in the military or belong to military families. In the recent budget released by the president, military insurance takes a hit.
The Military Officers Association of America reports that might have to end up paying $2000/year for premiums, along with an increase in deductible to about $320. Tricare is still some of the best insurance around, covering many conditions private insurance balks at.
Let's put this in perspective. By changing the structure of their insurance for a government savings of over $13 billion, the veterans and their families have to pay more. Meanwhile, private insurance rates are going up 25% for some folks and more for others. Just for myself last year, I paid over $1600 for premium costs... and that's only covering part of my premium because my employer covers most of it. Many employers are using this premium cost shift as a way to save money. Should the federal government really be expected not to follow suit?
I think members of the military and their families experience a lot to protect the country and that we should provide for their care, but at what expense? At what cost to the general populace? I can't afford the kind of care that tricare recipients receive freely. Sure, they will have more out of pocket costs now, but they'll still have access to some of the best insurance in the country. Many of those in federal service pay a lot more for their care.
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance. Show all posts
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Life Expectancy in the US is down...
Am I surprised by this story and infographic? Not exactly. It makes me sad, certainly, especially since it isn't right areas that are being impacted. It's poor, rural areas. Many of these places have conservative governors who would restrict Medicaid spending to ease their state budget woes.
I feel that this is very short-sighted for several reasons. Medicaid isn't exactly glamorous. You have to be extremely poor to receive it in most places. Then you're restricted in what you get done and how and where and by whom. It limits your ability to have much say in your care, especially since it really doesn't cover all that much.
The idea that someone wants to cut health care to the poor is abhorrent to me on many levels, but the fact that they use the economy as an excuse... the same economy that is forcing more people to delay care or onto the rolls of Medicare.... it fails to inspire much confidence in their humanity. Sure, give tax breaks to businesses and the wealthy when times are good, but poor economic outlooks are no excuse to increase these subsidies and decrease help to the poor. Poor people don't choose to be poor, for the most part, and really can't help it if they're poor and sick.
This trend is here to stay, my friends, and I don't see a way to reverse it until we're able to give people good, affordable health care on a consistent basis.
I feel that this is very short-sighted for several reasons. Medicaid isn't exactly glamorous. You have to be extremely poor to receive it in most places. Then you're restricted in what you get done and how and where and by whom. It limits your ability to have much say in your care, especially since it really doesn't cover all that much.
The idea that someone wants to cut health care to the poor is abhorrent to me on many levels, but the fact that they use the economy as an excuse... the same economy that is forcing more people to delay care or onto the rolls of Medicare.... it fails to inspire much confidence in their humanity. Sure, give tax breaks to businesses and the wealthy when times are good, but poor economic outlooks are no excuse to increase these subsidies and decrease help to the poor. Poor people don't choose to be poor, for the most part, and really can't help it if they're poor and sick.
This trend is here to stay, my friends, and I don't see a way to reverse it until we're able to give people good, affordable health care on a consistent basis.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
It's Not About You
I was reading this opinion piece in the New York Times and it really made me think about the things that have defined my life and choices.
Most of my life has been defined by necessity. I never had that whole "searching for yourself" aftercollege experience. I had to get myself together and get a job. One that had at least decent health insurance. Subsequently, I took a low paying job that I wound up hating because it was sort of related to my interests and had good insurance.
Since then, I've changed jobs several times and have been unemployed. That's a really stressful experience for someone with a chronic illness. You have to worry about feeding yourself AND about a job that has insurance. I took a job that was temp to hire. Never again. I like my job and I think the trial period was a good thing, but, really? It was a bad thing for me. It was stressful to consider that they may not hire me and I might have to continue paying for COBRA.
That is beside the point, though. I feel like there are many advantages I've gained from being sick and being more mature than my peers is one of them. I know it sounds a little strange to be thankful for illness, but it made me grow up and makes me consider my choices much more careful than your average 20-something. It isn't an easy path, but that's ok, too. I am grateful for it.
The article makes several good points about how successful people find their callings through necessity and how it's adversity that makes you great. I agree.
Most of my life has been defined by necessity. I never had that whole "searching for yourself" aftercollege experience. I had to get myself together and get a job. One that had at least decent health insurance. Subsequently, I took a low paying job that I wound up hating because it was sort of related to my interests and had good insurance.
Since then, I've changed jobs several times and have been unemployed. That's a really stressful experience for someone with a chronic illness. You have to worry about feeding yourself AND about a job that has insurance. I took a job that was temp to hire. Never again. I like my job and I think the trial period was a good thing, but, really? It was a bad thing for me. It was stressful to consider that they may not hire me and I might have to continue paying for COBRA.
That is beside the point, though. I feel like there are many advantages I've gained from being sick and being more mature than my peers is one of them. I know it sounds a little strange to be thankful for illness, but it made me grow up and makes me consider my choices much more careful than your average 20-something. It isn't an easy path, but that's ok, too. I am grateful for it.
The article makes several good points about how successful people find their callings through necessity and how it's adversity that makes you great. I agree.
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