interesting reading. i know nothing, so i stay out.

getting back to the beginning, 2 years ago, i got divorced. i was a stay at home mom for 10 yrs, and have no college degree. had to take a job - best one i could do with no resume was for $13/hr with no benefits. ended up i could not take care of my kids keeping the job hours, so i quit and took a part time job.

now, i am available to take care of my family, but i have to pay all my own expenses. i picked up a medical plan i could afford, with a high deductible.

so, i have to pay $3600/yr just to HAVE insurance. i pay copays and RX's myself, and so far have paid out over $2000 toward my deductible (including $775 to poo in a bucket to make sure BZ didnt give me a parasite). i had stomach pains a few weeks after my ex informed me he was taking me to court for primary custody of our kids. i called my doctor, they said call my GI. i did, they were out of the office and told me to go to the ER.

i did. two months later, i get a bill for $3500 from the hospital(plus $500 from radiology, etc) - the ins had denied my claim. i had the hospital resubmit, and am still waiting.

so, did i mention i was a single mom working part time and covering my own expenses? i am fortunate enuff to be middle class and get child support, or i would either be really screwed financially, or would carry no insurance.

now bf and i are starting a small business, and are looking at paying out $10+K/yr in health ins. until we get really running, we will be in the hole because of health insurance - our highest expense by far.

all we can say is, "oh well. that's the way it is."

bf figures that maybe if US politicians had to pay their family's health insurance out of pocket, they may see it as an issue, but won't as long as it doesn't hurt them personally.