Quote From: ihvnoideaMost of my doctors are in their 40's and 50's - presumably they've got a handle on those student loan payments by now. We're not paying all that money out for co-pays and deductables (after the insurance premiums of HUNDREDS of dollars a month PER employee - add that one up,) we're paying all of that money to prop up a for-profit healthcare system that - it turns out - seems more devoted to the bottom line than to the well-being of a nation. My son has a rare genetic disorder and let me tell you - here's a dose of reality - I've been told by doctors over and over again that they won't prescribe needed physical therapy for him because they can't "justify it to the insurance company." They either didn't bother to research his condtion (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome type III) or they are really, actively attempting to keep costs down by denying needed care. No kidding, no lie. Healthcare in America has changed - taken a dark turn that puts shareholders and profits above the needs of human beings and so far the medical community has done nothing but aid and abet the situation for their own personal gain.
I also want to say this - I found the way the woman with the doctor phobia was treated was really shabby - big deal the doctor looked like a lifesize Ken Doll - how demeaning to this woman and her very real fears. I just couldn't even finish. I have to say - I understood her very well. It's not that she doesn't trust doctors - she doesn't trust the industry - and she's absolutely correct not to trust the current medical establishment . Not as far as she could throw 'em, soaking wet.
I could be all washed up on this, but then again maybe it's something to take a look at. First of all, I really feel for those who have absolutely NO medical insurance -- I've been there and ended up going to the ER if I got something like an ear infection because I figured that was my only option, that there was no way I could afford to have a regular physician. And so for many years I did not get checkups because all of my money went for the other expenses, like rent, heating, clothing, food, transportation to work, etc. But I was fortunate enough (well, if you want to call having a sick child "fortunate") to have my daughter with leukemia determined to have what they called a "presumptive disability" (note that she is now no longer considered disabled because her leukemia has been in remission for 13 years). She received SSI (of course, this is also dependent upon the level of the household income), but more importantly, she received Medical Assistance, and this was in addition to insurance she had through her father's employment. I was extremely fortunate that the MA covered everything that the "regular" insurance did not. This is even more of a Godsend for those who have no other insurance coverage.
I believe things may be a little different these days (and am sure they vary some from state to state), but my 10 year old son is now considered disabled (Asperger's Syndrome -- and I'm not sure at what point, if any, he might no longer be considered disabled) and eligible for medical assistance and SSI. I've heard about many parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (of which Asperger's is one) how angry they are that their own insurance will not cover any treatment for their children's disorders and that they are forced to have the MA in order to have it covered (unless they pay out of their own pockets). There may have been passed recently (in PA, anyway, where I am) something that would require premium payments toward this coverage if income levels exceeded a certain amount, but it is probably still better than having no coverage at all (if so, it hasn't affected my family yet, but I suppose if we are still low enough income to receive SSI, then we are still eligible to not pay any premiums).
If you child is classified as having a disabilty, maybe you could check into his eligibility for medical assistance through your state and whether it would cover services that your own insurance company won't pay for. I know it's very far from an ideal system, but it's what we have to work with "for now." No child should have to go without necessary treatment. This is the ONLY coverage our son has (can't afford the extra it would cost to add him onto husband's insurance through work) but we've been able to get things like physical therapy for him (issues with gross motor skills and fine motor skills), though it was only for a few months.
Have you ever wanted to talk to your doctor about pressing medical concerns, but were too afraid to speak up? Today, four physicians with four different specialties return to bust medical myths and teach you things you never knew about your body. First up, 45-year-old Pamela has a paralyzing fear of physicians. She was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease six years ago and hasn't set foot in a doctor's office since. Find out what happens when Dr. Phil creates a makeshift exam room backstage! Then, Denise and her husband, Steve, have been trying to get pregnant for three years. Steve says he’s tired of sex being a business deal, but Denise desperately wants a baby. Should she keep trying to conceive or just move on with her life? And, having four kids wreaked havoc on Casey's body, and now she wants cosmetic surgery. Her husband, Jonathan, says a tummy tuck is too expensive, and thinks Casey can get in shape by doing more sit-ups. See Dr. Phil’s surprise for her! Plus, a couple who say their 9- and 15-year-old sons are still not potty trained! Tell us what you think!
