Someone please explain to me this "no public option" scenario....

[Independent_Voice]

I'll admit I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to the American health care debate. So I've been following this policy news as best as I can, including the recent Daschle/Dole/Baker alliance to mandate citizen purchases health plans without a public option.

It seems as though the Senate Finance Committee is endorsing this idea, based on this article:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8483737

So I'm hoping someone could explain what this potentially means for me and millions of other working-class Americans?

First, let me make sure I understand the general concept. If this passes, every American would be required to purchase a health care plan -- but in the absence of any public option, our only choice would be to select a plan offered by one of the many different private insurers out there? Am I correct? Hot, cold, or lukewarm?

So what happens if someone (such as myself) simply doesn't have the extra money to purchase a private health care plan that doesn't cover preexisting conditions? (which I don't, and haven't)

Do we get slapped with a financial penalty by the U.S. government? Thrown in jail? Tarred n' feathered n' sprinkled with confection sugar?

Some full disclosure about myself, since I'm largely concerned about my own situation -- as every person here is about their own situations, I'd imagine.

I'm 27, and have been on disability for a year so I currently have Medicare Part A and Part B...however, I haven't visited the doctor during that time because I'm terrified the government will find some excuse to take away my SSDI benefits. I've been relying on free services (mainly university health services -- I finally graduated from college last December) to get my prescription medication.

The nature of my disability is depression/anxiety-related (without going into all the details) -- so since I don't have a sensory disability (paraplegia, blindness, et. al.) I'm sure there are those who would claim that "it's all in my head" (most likely the right-wing nuts who believe that everyone somehow has the ability to magically pull themselves up by their bootstraps...guess what -- NOT EVERYONE HAS FUCKING BOOTSTRAPS!!!)

*inhales*...*breathes*....
Off-tangent, back on-subject....

My first appointment with a non-university doctor is on Monday...I'm terrified, BTW.

I have only been employed part-time at a marginally-paying job where I perform light work (nothing that involves heavy lifting or Lucy-in-the-Chocolate-Factory speed precision). So I earned under $14,000 last year as filed on my tax return this past spring.

I live in Southern California (hence my lack of opportunities in terms of jobs), so I don't expect I'll be able to find something in the near future where I earn enough to support myself without benefits. My disability payments are pretty much how I pay for my rent and utilities and groceries. If I had been denied disability coverage, I probably wouldn't be alive right now to share this post with all of you (no exaggeration).

Oh, and about that provision where this legislation would supposedly allow states to offer their own public options...sorry, that ain't happening in California.

Basically, if I lose my SSDI coverage, I'm fucked (unless I somehow fall into a career opportunity where I'm able to pull in $30K-$60K).

If I'm told by the U.S. government I must purchase a $1,000+ health plan out-of-pocket or else be fined as a penalty for not adhering to such a mandate, I'm also probably fucked.

I have student loans coming up for repayment in November. I have no clue how I'm going to manage that. :(

Honestly, as it is, I don't expect to live past the age of 40. This Senate Finance Committee bullshit (assuming I'm understanding the provision correctly) may only hasten that inevitability.

Millions of other Americans have stories similar to mine, some much worse, some slightly better, some probably in the same boat. I'm not disclosing this info about myself to try in order to gain pity or sympathy, nor am I trying to lecture anyone here (since I'm sure most everyone at DU already can imagine the situations some of us are in when it comes to health/income) about what other people are going through...

I just want to crystallize how these very real life circumstances mean life-or-death for the 20%-60% of us who are literally teetering on the edge in terms of our finances to varying degrees.

Is there any way that I won't be up a shit creek in the near future? Would my U.S. Congressperson be able to help me to any extent?

POSTSCRIPT: By the way, before anyone snidely points out that I don't have a very high post-count or accuses me of being a troll...I've only posted occasionally on DU because I've seen how a select few people here (mis)treat each other and flame each other with accusations of being trolls. I've been lurking here for years, but throughout most of Chimpy's tenure I'd felt reluctant to join in the fray, except for every now and then. I almost didn't post this today, but I finally decided "Fuck it" because I feel I have no one in my life who I can rant to about this worsening health care crisis...my parents are Republicans (and big Sarah Palin fans, to boot), so talking to them is like -- well, talking to Sarah Palin. :eyes: