Expanding On My Dorkitude

So I mentioned yesterday that I submitted my latest blog about my health insurance struggles as a commentary to Marketplace. According to the website, I should not expect a response for at least 3 to 4 weeks. Happiness in submitting my work slightly dulled by the denied gratification of learning whether it is good enough.

Considering this is my first entry/submission of my adult life (I had a limerick published in an Anthology when I was in middle school), I'm holding my breath until I get word. Odds are, it won't get excepted. I think it is fair to say that most people don't get published/aired on their first shot out of the gate.

In submitting my blog, I had to par it down to 400 words. In case you didn't realize it as you read it, my original blog was around 800 words. It took me about an hour to get it down to the alloted amount. They also wanted a conversational style of writing, but, since you're reading this right now, you know that part wasn't a problem.

So, for your opinion and/or entertainment & enlightenment, I have included my submission below. Enjoy.

Currently in Washington, elected officials are debating health reform. One major point of contention is a public insurance option. Along with a majority of Americans, I want this policy enacted. For me the reason is simple: I was rejected by a private insurance company. Without the advent of COBRA policy, I would not have insurance today. But my coverage only lasts until June of next year.

We need a public option. Too many people in this country are denied health insurance. I was rejected because I’m overweight. In order to qualify, the company informed me I needed to drop 60 pounds. Knowing there is an average weight loss failure rate of 85%, I'm trying. But I don't see why I have to hinge my personal financial security on how much I weigh.

Not having health insurance is equal to waiting to be financially bankrupt. For a year after college, I didn’t have health insurance. When I had a toothache that wouldn't go away, I found out I needed to have a specialist perform my root canal. That one procedure cost me $950. To completely fix the tooth totaled $1700. Mind you, this was all for a tooth. My best friend broke her wrist before she turned 21 and, since she wasn’t in college, she had no insurance. She was forced to file for bankruptcy before she was legally allowed to drink a beer. That is not the way we wanted to start our financial lives.

Insurance companies argue that a public plan will put private insurers out of business. I disagree. I suspect the majority of people who will opt for the public plan are those like me who have been rejected. Should people go to the public plan because they prefer it over a private one is only a testament to being over charged or under provided. The failure of private companies will be their own fault, not the government.

While a public option does not fix every situation, it gives people like me a chance. It is my plan, and hope, that I will loose the weight and apply again. Should this bill pass, I will apply for it as well. Whoever gives me the best coverage with the optimal rate will get my business. I don't care if I'm paying a private company or Uncle Sam. All I want is health insurance.

dork-a-licious moment

I condensed my last blog into 400 words and submitted it as a commentary to Marketplace. Keep your fingers crossed/me in your prayers/good thoughts for me.

A Snap Shot Regarding Health Reform

Currently in Washington, elected officials, lobbyists, and advisers are debating over health reform. One major point of contention, a public option, is what I wish to discuss in this post.

Along with a more-than-super majority of the American people, I want the option of purchasing public health insurance for one simple reason: I was rejected by a health insurance agency. I have blogged about this. I have struggled through this. Without the advent of COBRA policy, I would not have insurance today.

With the option of COBRA, I am paying $435 a month to keep my health insurance. Every time I write that check, I question if it is worth it. But then I remember my SO's debt due to an appendix emergency, and I write the check. But this can only last until June of next year, at which time my 18 months is up.

I would love to have health insurance. I would love to have applied, been accepted, and not have to weigh in on this debate (no pun intended). But that did not happen, so here goes.

We need a public option. Too many people in this country are denied health insurance for medical reasons that seem ludicrous to me. For instance, I am overweight. I was rejected for this. In order to obtain insurance, I need to drop at least 60 pounds. For those of you who don't know, this is incredibly hard. While watching a daytime talk show, one expert sited that most diet & exercise attempts to loose significant amounts of weight fail. And by most, I mean 85%. That's right, I have a 15% chance of succeeding. With those odds looming over my head, I'm trying.

But I don't see why I have to hinge my personal financial security on this. Why couldn't the insurance company I applied for just charge me more? Insurance companies already charge more for being a woman (if you are of child bearing age 18-35, which some states are attempting to make illegal). Why not just charge more for the "preexisting condition" they reject people for? As much as it would hurt, I would accept that to simply have a plan. Of course we all know they do this to insure they make money. But shouldn't my health be worth more than their profits?

Not having health insurance in this country is equal to waiting to be financially bankrupt. Any serious surgery will cost you thousands of dollars. For a year after college, I did not have health insurance. A doctor's visit for me jumped from a $10 copay to $60. And that was for a checkup. When I had a toothache that wouldn't go away, I found out I needed to have a specialist perform my root canal. That one procedure cost me $950. To completely fix the tooth totaled $1700. It all went on a credit card. That is not the way a recent college graduate should start their financial life.

Speaking of that, I don't want to file for bankruptcy because I fell, broke my wrist, and now have thousands of dollars in medical bills. But that is just what happened to a good friend of mine. She hadn't even reached 21 when she fell and broke her wrist outside her home. Before she could legally drink a beer, she was in debt up to her eyeballs. She had a moment of bad luck. You think it can't happen? It happens every day.

Ella, upon her death, left behind stacks of bills that went unpaid. She could barely afford her rent and the bills. Something had to give. So the health insurance went away. And then she got cancer and died. If she had had health insurance, if she had a lower cost basic option, maybe she would still be here. I don't want to die because I can't afford to go to the doctor.

A public option gives people like me a chance. If a private insurer won't even accept me, what am I to do? Why am I deemed to roll the dice when I am ready and willing to pay for insurance? The system is wrong. It's is unfair and needs to change.

Insurance companies argue that a public plan will put private insurers out of business. I disagree. I suspect the majority of people who will opt for the public option are those who have been rejected from private insurers. Should people go to the public plan because they prefer it over the private ones is only a testament to being over charged or under provided. The failure of private companies will be their own fault, not the government's.

While a public option does not fix every situation, it gives people like me an chance. It is my plan, and my hope, that I will loose the weight and apply again for insurance. Should this bill pass, I will apply for it as well. Whoever gives me the best coverage with the optimal rate will get my business. I don't care if I'm paying a private company or Uncle Sam. All I want is health insurance.

So it is my hope that our President and the Congress is able to make this happen. Otherwise, come next summer, I may join the ranks of the uninsured once again, not by choice, but by commerce.

My Niece Is Not Related to MJ

After my four post day yesterday, there came the thought that I would give a full introspective essay on what "The King of Pop" meant to me in life and, now, in death. (Aside: You can thank Elizabeth Taylor for his title.) But all I've heard, from the moment the news broke, is everyone talking about him, praising his music, trying to step lightly on his life, and what it all means now that he is gone. As such, I feel no need to add to that cacophony.

Instead, I want to talk about how excited I am for my best friend's baby shower tomorrow. I know I haven't mentioned it before, but my BFF is very pregnant and due in the coming months. Our whole friend-group is excited. I'm sure her family is elated. It's pleasantly odd, the "village" type atmosphere that is surrounding this little life.

I'm hoping it's a girl. We don't know, though. She was shy in ultrasounds, so they couldn't tell. I think it's a good thing, though. It adds to the excitement and anticipation.

Having a close group of friends like we do, it's amazing to realize that with yet another step in our, gasp, adult lives, things will change. I choose to believe it will be for the better. This child will grow up with so much love and support, I am almost envious of her good fortune. But instead, I am happy to be a part of it.

Of course this situation has made me think long and hard about becoming a mother one day. My mom had me when she was 31 and it was not on purpose. Now, with an SO I love and care for, the thoughts of us having a child have crept up. [Aside: My landlord asked if we wanted a two bedroom with a "family room"; I believe that was a subtle question about possible procreation.]

What I have learned, as the months have passed with my friend, is the reality of a child is beautiful and scary. Yes, you are bringing a new life into this world, which is amazing. But, with that, you are taking on the wonderful with the complicated. Her baby registry alone is intimidating. The thought that a life is now in your hands and is your responsibility for the next 18 yrs, at minimum, is overwhelming. Yes, I want to be a parent, but I don't want to fool myself into thinking it will be easy or simple.

And, with that realization, I know I am not ready yet. Realistically, I want to give it at least a year. I want to be settled. I want to find more balance in my life. I want to know that I could provide for my child, emotionally and financially, and that my SO and I are comfortable and prepared. In short, I still need some growing up to do.

But, in the interim, my little niece is going to have lots of loving aunts & uncles to play with and puke on.

Breaking (Emotional) News

With all of the juicy gossip and interesting news of the past 24hrs, I neglected to blog on my emotional good news for the day.

Apartment is a go; I repeat, apartment is a go.

My SO and I are moving into an apartment in my current complex. A 2BR 1 1/2BA will be our new home. I visited the leasing office yesterday to pick up applications, and they said one would be available July 24th, exactly one month for us to prep and roll.

It turns out, my landlord loves me. I pay on time (well, early actually cause I give him pre-written checks months ahead of time), and there have been no noise complaints involving me. Not-to-mention, I also learned our credit rating was great, back when he ran it for my initial qualification. To give a direct quote, "We want to keep you."

In the event the current occupants of the unit don't move out, which is unlikely, he said he knows of other units that will open up soon. (Apparently I may be loved, but others aren't.) Also, he'd be willing to have me sign a new lease, at my same rent price, and just transfer me over to the 2BR lease as soon as another unit became vacant. Did I mention I love my apartment complex.

The rent for our soon to be unit is $1220 ($610 per person). That is amazing for us. My rent will drop by $389. My SO's would drop by $265. For my SO, that is a car payment begging to happen. We've talked about going to Carmax for a second vehicle once we've settled in. There is a master bedroom and a smaller bedroom, but I've already said I don't care which one I'm in. We'd split the rent, the electric, and Fios.

I am so excited; I was jumpy all last night. In fact, we both were silly and giggly. It felt right, this new step we're taking.

[Aside: During our conversation, I also admitted that my concern over his Greta Garbo moment was, in part, due to PMS. I've been off the pill for this past month and did not realize, at the time, I was in hyper-emotional mode. Normally I can tell when I'm letting something that could be minor turn into something major. This time, that didn't happen. It didn't help that my SO was vague, but I didn't help by reacting so sharply. We're good, though.]

So yeah, I pretty excited. Cohabitating, more room, and less in bills = My current trifecta of glee.

Sweet Sweet Revenge

Grumpy conservatives, increasingly impatient homosexuals, Iranian leaders, and any other entity that wants sweet sweet revenge on the Obama White House: Warm Up Your Arm.

Child's Strip Search Found Illegal By High Court

In a case that sparked my personal fury and much controversy concerning how far administrators can go in their hunt to remove "the scourge of drugs" from their schools, the high court found (rightly) that the accusation of one student that another has prescription drugs does not give school officials the right to strip search the student, especially when the accusation was not corroborated nor was their any mention of the supposed contraband being located in her under garments.

Link to the full USAToday story here.