Healthcare is currently in dispair in this country, this city, and many other cities around the Nation.
George W. Bush's tax cuts have hurt lower-income workers harder than you might think. How do I know this? I am one of them.
I take two prescriptions to treat my PTSD and severe Chronic Anxiety. Two and a half years ago, when I started at my job (a local non-profit healthcare agency) the big sell was only having to pay one dollar from every paycheck towards insurance.
Then, the tax "cuts" were put into place by Bush.
Not only have my copays gone up, but the out of pocket expense for medication has gone up. Let me give you an example. For one prescription, it costs me 45$ to visit the doctor. To fill that one prescription, before the tax "cuts" cost me only $20. Now, it is much different. The full price of the prescription is $132.41 . For me to fill that prescription today, my copay is $109.41 . The "insurance" only pays $23.00 towards the medicine. So, for example; it costs me $154.31 to fill one prescription. Hard to do on $10.37 an hour.
Here is some information about the Bush tax "cuts" to help you understand the crisis.
Children’s Health Coverage Slashed: 169,300 fewer children will have health insurance coverage under the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and by 2005, 332,000 few children will have be covered under Medicaid.
["State Budget for 2004-05 and Implications for Vulnerable Populations," Center for Public Policy Priorities website] The Center for Public Policy Priorities website has
data detailing the impact by county of budget cuts to Medicaid and CHIP, including reductions in coverage overall, for pregnant women, and children.
Adult Medicaid Recipients Coverage Slashed: Mental health counseling, podiatric and chiropractor care, eyeglasses, and hearing aids will no longer be covered for adult Medicaid recipients, ¾ of whom are elderly or disabled. Each month, 8,300 fewer low-income pregnant women will qualify for Medicaid maternity coverage. [
CPPP, 10/15/03]
Professional Fees Raised: Fees went up for doctors, nurses, home builders and inspectors, locksmiths, shrimpers, tow truck operators, architects, engineers, and plumbers. [
"New State Laws, Fees, Charges, and Out-of-Pocket Expenses Impact on Texans' Lives and Livelihoods," Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 8/03]
As you can see, the so called tax cuts have created an even bigger crisis in healthcare.
Recently, I got into some poison ivy. I've had to call in sick for two days, as the eyes and around the eyes are the worst with big red spots and extremely itchy. Today was payday. After paying basic bills, I have under a hundred dollars left. So, therefore, with the copays so high and my low wages it makes it impossible to go to a doctor.
In turn, my employer loses me for days while I fight the infections without the help of the steroids I need. While I am out from work, the temps that replace me when I am out cost more per hour to have working than I do. So, as you see, while I suffer... Even my employer suffers with having to pay additional wages to a fill in.
There is no common sense in the current state of healthcare in America. For the average American worker, healthcare is out of reach.
The bottom line is:
To get proper medical attention, you have to be rich.
