Doesn't feel safe to post this elsewhere

[gardenista]

I take this health care bill very personally. My cousin, in her early twenties, with a five year old daughter, was diagnosed with non-hodgkin's lymphoma a few weeks ago. She is one of the many working poor who do not have health insurance. Laid off from her previous job, no money for COBRA, just started a new job and wham, this.

She's from a conservative part of the family, probably, if she voted, voted for McCain and esp Palin. But I love her and her little daughter, and I desperately want her to survive this. I pray that HCR is not derailed, and that she can get some kind of insurance so that if she does survive this, she doesn't spend the rest of her adult life in untenable debt, her parents don't lose their farm, or any of the other domino lifetime financial outcomes one has with no insurance and a serious illness.

I pray that our leaders have the wisdom to pass this bill.

[lamp_shade]

1. Strange. I'm sure the whiners have similar stories to tell... but they don't tell them. I wonder why

[treestar]

2. They do! A couple claimed to be uninsured!

I was like really? This bill is so bad you'd rather remain uninsured? Not credible.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

13. Here's one

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7298496&mesg_id=7301241

No health insurance, wife with heart disease, son with autism - opposes the bill.

Either this guy is insane or is a complete liar. Honestly, I'm not sure which one it is.

[Cha]

14. Not sure what his point is?

That he's a "progressive" masochist?

I just read his post..I didn't want delve deeper into that spitting contest.

[gardenista]

9. it baffles.

I just keep thinking of Teddy's words on the Nixon healthcare proposal. I don't want us to repeat that history.

[treestar]

3. Best of luck to them.

How awful to suffer such a thing so young.

[gardenista]

10. Thank you. She is a strong girl, and if anyone can get through this, she can

But she needs proper medical care, and she needs to be free of the burden and fear of being shackled to a lifetime of poverty paying down medical debt. We're going to help all we can, but we're in trouble, too.

[NJmaverick]

4. Good vibes to your cousin. I remember a time when liberal meant helping people

not trying to destroy corporations.

[firedupdem]

5. +1

A lot of people have become 'lost' along the way.

[get the red out]

7. Agree!!!!

Very good take.

[gardenista]

11. Very insightful. I guess that's what we're dealing with.

I'm glad I got to grow up during a time when liberal meant helping people.

[firedupdem]

6. I pray they do too. Sad situation gardenista, I hope she can get

coverage and survive this disease.

[gardenista]

12. Honestly, I'm old now, and I would trade places with her if I could

It's so hard to think of a young mother going through this. Unimaginable.

She's a strong girl though, and I hope she keeps up the fight.

[gardenista]

8. Wow, I so appreciate all the support on this thread, and in this group

Thank you. We are praying for the best for this sweet girl. She held her parents together, raising them rather than the reverse. She is truly a good soul. The conservative part I don't hold against her, it's how she was raised. She herself has raised a little girl who is the light of every life she touches, and I hope that little girl has a mother in a year.

Thanks again for vibes, prayers, and support!

[dcsmart]

15. i am still amazed that 1)there is a health care bill and

2) that it will probably pass. Seriously, i never expected it to go anywhere. I know the Pres. talked about it, but how long has it been that politicians talked about it.. So, i have to say let's see what happens. I watched Michael Moore's sicko recently and i was sick after watching it. Must be nice to feel secure in knowing medical coverage is available all the time as it is in other countries.

[sandnsea]

16. I have similar stories

Best to your family, and don't think you're the only one with people who vote against the party that is most likely to help them.

As I've said repeatedly, I have subsidized insurance so I know it can work. I apply for it by mail once a year, no big deal. It has treated everything my husband and I have needed. We still have excess debt, but the thing we have that so many people just don't understand - is Health Care. They just don't get that without that magic little card, doctors won't treat you for much of anything.

So I am thrilled today and I would be even more thrilled if I was living in a state without this option and thought I might have a chance to see a doctor! I just can't believe some of these people who oppose this have ever really faced that stark denial of medical care.

My son had a bulging disc a few years ago and the neurosurgeon demanded $500 before he'd see him. He couldn't work, his workman's comp claim was tied up with lawyers, he had no health coverage, and was walking around with a stooped over back. It was ridiculous. Nobody should have to live like that.

My best friend just died from brain cancer. Maybe it wouldn't have mattered if she'd had early detection, I don't know. But she's never had health coverage and I'm sure she just ignored symptoms until she was admitted into the hospital. She was dead in a month, 45 years old.

I don't care what it takes, if more people can see the doctor, I'm for it.

[Avalux]

17. I hope for your cousing and everyone in her situation that the bill passes.

I have a 24 year old daughter without health insurance who I can put on my policy again once it passes. There are definitely good things that will come of it. :hi: