Thank you for this. We need adequate services and health care sorry ALL.
6
Yet another reason for a single payer health care system. She had to get a waiver to be employed or she would have made too much money. I have 2 well educated friends who are on Mass Health (Medicaid in Mass) they both have chronic illnesses that preclude their working full time but have medical expenses over 10,000 a month. They are forced to stay unemployed and poor in order to live. It is just plain wrong
13
Thank you for sharing your personal struggle.
I am heartened that you can get some help at home . I am currently disabled as well . I am hoping to improve but it has been an up and down battle for over a year following an accident . I probably would not qualify for Medicaid, but I need my aid that comes to help me . Thankfully , my family is helping me out with the bills since I can't work now .
Being disabled is very lonely . My aid not only helps me with physical things but she's a bright light for me during this time of extreme darkness .
I am happy you can have the help you deserve thanks to Medicaid .
Thank you for shining a light on this often overlooked situation . No one can understand what it's like to be disabled unless you are living it .
It's painful and we deserve the kindness and care any human being deserve that is a part of this world .
I am heartened that you can get some help at home . I am currently disabled as well . I am hoping to improve but it has been an up and down battle for over a year following an accident . I probably would not qualify for Medicaid, but I need my aid that comes to help me . Thankfully , my family is helping me out with the bills since I can't work now .
Being disabled is very lonely . My aid not only helps me with physical things but she's a bright light for me during this time of extreme darkness .
I am happy you can have the help you deserve thanks to Medicaid .
Thank you for shining a light on this often overlooked situation . No one can understand what it's like to be disabled unless you are living it .
It's painful and we deserve the kindness and care any human being deserve that is a part of this world .
14
How many of the politicians who want to cutback Medicaid consider themselves to be pro-life? how many politicians insisted that Terri schiavo's medical bills were worth paying (by someone other than the goverment, of course) because of the sanctity of human life? These hypocrites talk about death panels while actively working to deny millions of people access to. affordable care. Unbelievable nerve.
21
Our daughter is disabled and on Medicaid. She is remarkably healthy right now, but anything can happen to anybody, so we are thankful for this coverage. She recently qualified for SSDI on my record because I started collecting SS retirement benefits, and it two years she will be eligible for Medicare instead. We depend on Medicaid in the meantime.
9
I am glad the Medicaid program helped Ms Wong. And in many extreme cases or the very elderly or very young it does help. But overall it is a wasteful program. And here in NJ most doctors do not except it. It would so much simpler and cheaper for everyone if we just went to Medicare for all. No more confusion, no more worries, everyone is covered, and that's that. In the end it is the only answer, universal coverage. Everything else is hot air and smoke & mirrors. With premiums rising more and more every year.
Orange, NJ
Orange, NJ
15
Medicaid costs are spiraling and breaking the backs of those of us who choose to carry our own weight. At over $600 billion a year, we can no longer have a huge welfare class going to the same doctors and getting the same treatment as people who work.
I have two jobs and still have to unusable high-premium insurance under Obama care, and you get it all for free. No hard choices to make. I am unable to pay for my wife's medical care. Or my kids' college, and yet those who don't even try, get both for free.
Let's also be clear. There is no such thing as corporate "welfare". These breaks are given to businesses so they can hire people like myself, who actually pay taxes and contribute to society
I have two jobs and still have to unusable high-premium insurance under Obama care, and you get it all for free. No hard choices to make. I am unable to pay for my wife's medical care. Or my kids' college, and yet those who don't even try, get both for free.
Let's also be clear. There is no such thing as corporate "welfare". These breaks are given to businesses so they can hire people like myself, who actually pay taxes and contribute to society
8
Yet the USA can afford billionaires?
6
I've known Alice for 20 years and she's been working that entire time.
9
She is an activist and writer who has likely contributed as much or more than you have and has helped thousands.
Also, my husband is a quadriplegic and has always worked more than full time teaching, gotten his PhD and contributed a great deal to society. Please don't continue to make unfounded assumptions. You, too, can become disabled at any time. You are not immune. If you do, will you settle for dying or for low quality medical care?
Also, my husband is a quadriplegic and has always worked more than full time teaching, gotten his PhD and contributed a great deal to society. Please don't continue to make unfounded assumptions. You, too, can become disabled at any time. You are not immune. If you do, will you settle for dying or for low quality medical care?
11
Bravo. Brava?
Thank you for speaking out.
I recall my father a republican through and through, 28years ago, was so against making corporations making buildings handicapped accessible. He was outraged.
I had had a severe accident that broke my right leg, tibia, and fibula, compound fracture. No fault of mine. I was hit by a bicyclist going down 6th avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the wrong way. I was at the crosswalk on rollerskates waiting for the light. I barely knew what hit me. However, the first THIRTEEN MONTHS were in a thigh high cast. BUT after ten days in hospital in traction they released me to my parents. I got to sleep on their family room couch for two miserable smoke, where the entire family chain smoked.
The liberal I am, asked him, could I kindly reside for months, years possibly more on his kindness, or would he like me to go back to work? He chose 'go back to work.' I said, I'd like to go back to work, but if buildings are not accessible, how could I do that? I really could see a lightbulb go off in his head.
If need be, we have to teach those we believe to be the unteachable, is our only hope.
Not IF we need, we need to teach those who do not know.
Thank you for speaking out.
Thank you for speaking out.
I recall my father a republican through and through, 28years ago, was so against making corporations making buildings handicapped accessible. He was outraged.
I had had a severe accident that broke my right leg, tibia, and fibula, compound fracture. No fault of mine. I was hit by a bicyclist going down 6th avenue in Midtown Manhattan, the wrong way. I was at the crosswalk on rollerskates waiting for the light. I barely knew what hit me. However, the first THIRTEEN MONTHS were in a thigh high cast. BUT after ten days in hospital in traction they released me to my parents. I got to sleep on their family room couch for two miserable smoke, where the entire family chain smoked.
The liberal I am, asked him, could I kindly reside for months, years possibly more on his kindness, or would he like me to go back to work? He chose 'go back to work.' I said, I'd like to go back to work, but if buildings are not accessible, how could I do that? I really could see a lightbulb go off in his head.
If need be, we have to teach those we believe to be the unteachable, is our only hope.
Not IF we need, we need to teach those who do not know.
Thank you for speaking out.
16
I have Medicaid too. The Republicans want to kill me. Please help save my life ... I'm worth it!
18
I was on Medicaid as well. In Alabama, a state that hates to give Medicaid. In my darker hours, I said the state wanted me to die. For the record, I worked since I was 16 and tried (and failed) to work after my first illness.
Then came the ACA. I could (just) afford a REGULAR health care plan that allowed me to see a doctor on a regular basis. Remember the "pre-existing" conditions didn't count against you.
I thought maybe I could live. I was put on Medicare, and that has worked well for me. My doctors and I are working to get me as well as I can be.
Now Mr. Trump and the Republican Congress want to toss the ACA. Why, I do not know. I guess they want to score some sort of political point. Obviously, they want people like me to die.
I MAY keep Medicare, but there are people like me, people who have worked and became ill or hurt. It used to be we would help them, but now we are just supposed to line up for the gas chamber.
Then came the ACA. I could (just) afford a REGULAR health care plan that allowed me to see a doctor on a regular basis. Remember the "pre-existing" conditions didn't count against you.
I thought maybe I could live. I was put on Medicare, and that has worked well for me. My doctors and I are working to get me as well as I can be.
Now Mr. Trump and the Republican Congress want to toss the ACA. Why, I do not know. I guess they want to score some sort of political point. Obviously, they want people like me to die.
I MAY keep Medicare, but there are people like me, people who have worked and became ill or hurt. It used to be we would help them, but now we are just supposed to line up for the gas chamber.
10
Us liberals and progressives will not allow that to happen, but we all must speak out, no matter how small one believes their voice to be.
WE matter.
WE vote.
WE decide.
WE matter.
WE vote.
WE decide.
5
Madam, it saddens me to tell you that the republican party wants to exterminate you and those like you to give tax cuts to the rich.
17
This disabled woman felt bad about receiving Medicaid?
Let's wonder about all those people with plenty of money, with little or no disability, that have divested their wealth so they could ultimately receive Medicaid to take care of their long term care.
Now, that is something to feel bad about.
Let's wonder about all those people with plenty of money, with little or no disability, that have divested their wealth so they could ultimately receive Medicaid to take care of their long term care.
Now, that is something to feel bad about.
10
Or the wealthy people who don't think that taking care of our fellow citizens is part of the social contract. Washington seems to be spilling over with that type lately.
10
There's no evidence for the kind of widespread Medicaid fraud you are alluding to. If you read the article closely you'd see that there is paperwork, there are guidelines, there is substantive oversight for those individuals who receive this kind of aid. People like to volunteer stories of others who they believe to be cheating the system, but the data just don't support it.
9
We need to restrict immigration and then perhaps we can afford health care for all Americans.
5
I wanted to thank you for your article. As someone with a disability who externally looks fine but internally I am very ill with two serious diseases, we need folks like yourself who are articulate to get our message out there.
Blessings to you.
Blessings to you.
19
Medicaid saved my family. A Medicaid waiver program in Vermont allowed me to design a respite budget for my young son with autism. I used those hours to hire college students interested in autism and we worked as a team to help Nick progress. He is 16, attends high school and is independent. He will work and contribute to society. And he is a lovely kid. Most importantly, i was able to keep working at a high level to support Nick and his older brother. Medicaid in Vermont works.
19
"I am a Medicaid welfare queen. When Republicans talk about safety net programs like Medicaid, Social Security and food stamps, they evoke images of people like me gabbing on their smartphones, eating steak and watching TV from the comfort of home."
And so it sounds like you are not a Medicaid welfare queen.
I'll give you an example of a welfare queen, well actually a prince.
We had next door neighbors in Detroit with a mother and grown son living on welfare. The mom would watch here daughter's children dutifully and provided loving care for them. The son, well at the beginning of the month he would ask if I wanted to purchase food stamps. I always declined and he repeatedly asked.
Then near the end of the month he would ask if I had any money for food,
stating that his mother was hungry.
In the intervening days there was a fair amount of partying.
Now that's a welfare prince!
And so it sounds like you are not a Medicaid welfare queen.
I'll give you an example of a welfare queen, well actually a prince.
We had next door neighbors in Detroit with a mother and grown son living on welfare. The mom would watch here daughter's children dutifully and provided loving care for them. The son, well at the beginning of the month he would ask if I wanted to purchase food stamps. I always declined and he repeatedly asked.
Then near the end of the month he would ask if I had any money for food,
stating that his mother was hungry.
In the intervening days there was a fair amount of partying.
Now that's a welfare prince!
7
Great story, but how many on Medicaid are in your position. I could give you another class of people who are elderly, on Medicare but also poor who get Medicaid. I could also comment on how some get it when they should not and use it to support their addiction.
How about if we have one clearing house for all federal programs with strict investigations so people like the author get the help we desire to give them, and others who don't deserve it don't.
How about if we have one clearing house for all federal programs with strict investigations so people like the author get the help we desire to give them, and others who don't deserve it don't.
So why not fight for Medicaid for ALL? Just use it as a safety net for EVERYONE.
Why bother Medicare for all?
Those that keep fighting for Medicare for all know that most doctors and other healthcare professionals do not accept Medicaid.
Good luck finding a psychiatrist who would take Medicaid.
Many other specialists are also abandoning Medicaid.
What would happen if we have Medicare for all? Medicare will pay less and less and eventually it will match what Medicaid pays and then Medicare will become Medicaid.
Why bother Medicare for all?
Those that keep fighting for Medicare for all know that most doctors and other healthcare professionals do not accept Medicaid.
Good luck finding a psychiatrist who would take Medicaid.
Many other specialists are also abandoning Medicaid.
What would happen if we have Medicare for all? Medicare will pay less and less and eventually it will match what Medicaid pays and then Medicare will become Medicaid.
2
Actually, mental health services are pretty well compensated by Medicaid, or have been; in the system, psychiatrists are generally the dispensers of prescriptions for psychotropic meds.
For talk therapy, no one ever uses a psychiatrist; that task falls to social workers, or for those who can afford them, psychologists—think Bob Newhart.
And it's true that private practitioners rarely take Medicaid, but hospital clinics almost always do. It's false economy to severely limit mental health services, judging by the number of violent crimes committed in this country by those who didn't seek help or weren't able to access it.
For talk therapy, no one ever uses a psychiatrist; that task falls to social workers, or for those who can afford them, psychologists—think Bob Newhart.
And it's true that private practitioners rarely take Medicaid, but hospital clinics almost always do. It's false economy to severely limit mental health services, judging by the number of violent crimes committed in this country by those who didn't seek help or weren't able to access it.
4
Very few psychiatrists take Medicare, either. As I found out when trying to get care for a relative after release from psychiatric hospitalization.
1
Thank you for sharing your story. Personally, I have a lot to learn from such stories of courage, resilience and strength. As a society, we need to understand and ensure that health is neither privilege or struggle.
12
I did a little research. Amazingly, the human race evolved, prospered and spread throughout the earth without the benefit of medicaid or medicare. But some people think it is an unparalled catastrophe if they don't get unlimited healthcare paid for by the government.
4
During that evolution you describe, the population survived but with high infant and maternal mortality, and individuals lived short lives, often miserable with suffering from disease and injuries. Aside from herbal medicines and brutal surgeries, there were few effective options for alleviating pain and suffering or for healing. Want to go back to that? We have plenty of options today and more on the horizon, but the complexity and high-tech nature of medicine requires spreading the cost, sharing the risk. Only the 1% can afford pay-as-you-go healthcare. We do need something better than today's patched-together "system" for handling the expense of healthcare. I don't pretend to have the answer.
20
It's true the bubonic plague was never covered by Medicaid or Medicare. You're mistaken, however, in thinking either program is an unlimited system that people take and take and take from.
I believe others in the comment section are clarifying that Medicare and Medicaid cover different things, and I'll say that with Medicare there is a copay that generally makes it feel like "real" health insurance.
I've been insured with different levels of Medicare; one allowed me to see almost any practitioner I needed to see but required I meet an almost-unaffordable (to me) deductible. The current Medicare plan I'm on doesn't charge a deductible, but offers many fewer doctors and almost no specialists.
I previously was seeing specialist after specialist as aftercare for my broken kneecap; when I changed my plan because I couldn't afford the copays, I was forced to develop my own physical therapy plan because physical therapy was no longer covered.
I guess "fair" in your book is for me to go out and get a "real" job and pay for healthcare the way you do. Uh, I'm female and over 50, so I doubt I'll ever be able to live "in" the system the way you do; sorry about that.
I believe others in the comment section are clarifying that Medicare and Medicaid cover different things, and I'll say that with Medicare there is a copay that generally makes it feel like "real" health insurance.
I've been insured with different levels of Medicare; one allowed me to see almost any practitioner I needed to see but required I meet an almost-unaffordable (to me) deductible. The current Medicare plan I'm on doesn't charge a deductible, but offers many fewer doctors and almost no specialists.
I previously was seeing specialist after specialist as aftercare for my broken kneecap; when I changed my plan because I couldn't afford the copays, I was forced to develop my own physical therapy plan because physical therapy was no longer covered.
I guess "fair" in your book is for me to go out and get a "real" job and pay for healthcare the way you do. Uh, I'm female and over 50, so I doubt I'll ever be able to live "in" the system the way you do; sorry about that.
10
In those good ol' days, life was nasty, brutish and short. It's easy to wax poetic about people fending for themselves or dying, until you deal with real people.
I have heard these arguments about fending for oneself too many times. These are your fellow Americans. Surely there is more to being an American than standing with your hand over your heart and singing The Star Spangled Banner.
I resent paying high taxes, but at least it helps keep my fellow Canadians alive, and also provides medical help for me when I need it. I believe that it also contributes to a feeling of community. We really are our brother's keeper wherever we live.
I have heard these arguments about fending for oneself too many times. These are your fellow Americans. Surely there is more to being an American than standing with your hand over your heart and singing The Star Spangled Banner.
I resent paying high taxes, but at least it helps keep my fellow Canadians alive, and also provides medical help for me when I need it. I believe that it also contributes to a feeling of community. We really are our brother's keeper wherever we live.
13
Medicaid is great for the people who are aware they are on Medicaid. I'm not so sure about the ones who don't even know they are, just for those who cash them in for that and the disability checks.
If my tax dollars in any way have helped support you, it has been my privilege.
31
Trump believes in Andrew Jackson. He sees similarities in himself with the seventh president.
Whereas Jackson waged genocide against East Coast Indians, Trump wages genocide against Americans with ACA and Medicaid healthcare coverage.
When accomplished, Trump and the complicit GOP will turn their attention to those on Medicare.
First they came for those on ACA/Medicaid, but I did not speak out --
But I did not speak out because I was not on ACA/Medicaid.
Then …
Whereas Jackson waged genocide against East Coast Indians, Trump wages genocide against Americans with ACA and Medicaid healthcare coverage.
When accomplished, Trump and the complicit GOP will turn their attention to those on Medicare.
First they came for those on ACA/Medicaid, but I did not speak out --
But I did not speak out because I was not on ACA/Medicaid.
Then …
11
I really wish the NY Times would do a story on what "pre-existing conditions" are. Most conditions that are covered when you have employer provided health insurance become problematic when you lose that coverage. Any combination of current chronic illness, a past injury/illness from which you recovered, and being a certain age, weight, or sex can make you "exceed our underwriting criterion" which is insurance speak for uninsurable.
11
NPR stated today that 27% of us citizens have a pre-existing condition that insurance companies use to evaluate risk. So that is what, about 80 million people (doing the math in my head).
3
My favorite was a patient of mine with melanoma (skin cancer) at age 56. Her insurance wouldn't pay for her care because she neglected to tell them that she had acne as a 14 year old
7
For the GOP money is much more valuable than human lives. It is what the GOP has always stood fora, as evidenced by years of legislation.
It is a bummer, but America voted for a GOP Congress, as well as POTUS, so get used to it.
It is a bummer, but America voted for a GOP Congress, as well as POTUS, so get used to it.
9
We have a friend who, before ACA protection, was forced into bankruptcy as she and her late husband tried to pay for his heart disease, thereby draining them of all assets. Now in her '70s, she cannot find employment in a job with benefits and lives in the gig economy, in spite of her experience in several areas. She lives in subsidized housing and drives an unreliable 20 year old car. She is terrified by what the Republicans want to do to Medicare and Medicaid.
Paul Ryan, are you happy now?
Paul Ryan, are you happy now?
28
I had a friend with breast cancer prior to Obamacare. She fought the disease for 10 years and lived to see her kids grow up. She went through the first million dollar limit on her insurance policy in six years. Then she switched to her husband's employee policy and used over $600k of that $1m limit before she passed away. Her family would have been bankrupt if they hadn't be lucky enough to have two good jobs with good employee insurance (both of them had master's degrees and somewhat "elite" jobs). What would a moderately paid employee without one or two policies have done?
3
Alice, no one resents you having to be on Medicaid. What infuriates most Americans about Medicaid is that you have able-bodied adults on it who prefer to stay home work off the books while receiving free medical care, Welfare, Food Stamps, Section 8 vouchers, well you get the drift. In todays society it often pays to be poor.
Contrast that with the reality of most middle-class Americans caring for parents. Unlike Medicaid benefits Medicare does not pay for 24 X 7 home care. So what usually happens is either the children pay out of their own pocket or the parents gift their financial resources to their kids in order to qualify for Medicaid. In the former it places tremendous strain on the entire family unit. In the latter it "games" the system and makes others, totally unrelated to the recipient, pay for it through their tax dollars. Doesn't sound fair, don't you agree?
Contrast that with the reality of most middle-class Americans caring for parents. Unlike Medicaid benefits Medicare does not pay for 24 X 7 home care. So what usually happens is either the children pay out of their own pocket or the parents gift their financial resources to their kids in order to qualify for Medicaid. In the former it places tremendous strain on the entire family unit. In the latter it "games" the system and makes others, totally unrelated to the recipient, pay for it through their tax dollars. Doesn't sound fair, don't you agree?
2
Agree
the NYT would have a field day to check doctors's offices and find out how dysfunctional and opaque the whole medicaid system is, at least in New york City. I can not say corrupt because that implies "intent"
Giving voice only to patients to score political points is misleading
the NYT would have a field day to check doctors's offices and find out how dysfunctional and opaque the whole medicaid system is, at least in New york City. I can not say corrupt because that implies "intent"
Giving voice only to patients to score political points is misleading
1
There is a third option. My parents used their modest resources to pay for their care in a family group home, a much more personalized setting than a nursing home. They were not dependent on us and never needed Medicaid. And when the died there were still a few thousand dollars left for us heirs to divide. But what was far more valuable to us was their ability to provide for themselves with their Social Security, very small pensions, and Veterans' benefits.
The Republicans do not support you nor do they agree that it is your Medicaid. It is their opinion that it is their gift to you and they have the right to take it away and that is what they are in the process of doing.
They would rather see you die than pay your bills. Sometimes the truth hurts but the Republicans would say: 'life is tough, I made mine, now you go to hell'.
They would rather see you die than pay your bills. Sometimes the truth hurts but the Republicans would say: 'life is tough, I made mine, now you go to hell'.
11
This needs to be read out loud on the floor of the Senate.
12
Medicaid isn't "life-giving" because it hasn't the power to give life. To the best of my knowledge, only Jesus Christ could give life (he raised Lazarus from the dead). Medicaid can only preserve and sustain it.
1
Jesus didn't give life to victims of religious wars such as the Crusades and the Thirty Years War.
1
Thank you for sharing Ms Wong.....
6
Thanks for your story. Let's not allow those in power, and supposedly representing you, get away with 'murder' by denying you what they take for granted, quality healthcare insurance. Hypocrisy is just around the corner, opportunism tempting politicians the easy route towards self-service.
14
I was scheduled to have heart surgery in a couple weeks....now it will be canceled and within weeks I will be dead. Now please tell me again how I am supposed to feel the pain of those who collaborated in my killing by voting for Trump?
25
I don't understand. Why will your surgery be cancelled? I hope you are wrong.
1
What changed? Surely nothing that congress or the president did.
1
Since Rhode Island is a sanctuary state just declare yourself a illegal alien and your healthcare will be picked up by the Hospital.
Seriously how is your insurance being cancelled because a new Governmental Medical policy will be in effect next year? Sounds like you suffer from a hyper-active imagination or just plain hatred for President Trump. But I can understand that. I had the same feelings as you for the clown in office before President Trump.
Seriously how is your insurance being cancelled because a new Governmental Medical policy will be in effect next year? Sounds like you suffer from a hyper-active imagination or just plain hatred for President Trump. But I can understand that. I had the same feelings as you for the clown in office before President Trump.
3
Right now my 17 year 10 month old daughter is Hospitalized for the 11th time in a Mental hospital. I have Federal Employees BCBS Standard insurance my daughter has been diagnosed as ADD/ADHD, and Severe Depression. This time the diagnose was changed to Bi-polar disorder. Since, I hurt my back catestropicaly on the job 15 years ago she receives child Social Security benefits on my record. She gets booted in 10 months. Although page 99 of BCBS says it covers in patient residential care they have turned it down this time and others, despite suicidal ideations.
I discussed with her family therapist applying her for SSID on her on so she is approved at 18. I see the kids that are on Medicaid or SSID/Medicare are approve for the residential impatient stays. My child can not make it through a semester in school. She could not hold a job at the local yogurt shop. Not without treatment.
I discussed with her family therapist applying her for SSID on her on so she is approved at 18. I see the kids that are on Medicaid or SSID/Medicare are approve for the residential impatient stays. My child can not make it through a semester in school. She could not hold a job at the local yogurt shop. Not without treatment.
15
I also have a depressed, no-polar daughter. She's doing well now after years of treatment. I wish your daughter all the best and hope she finds a good balance. May your daughter, and mine, continue to get the healthcare they need.
4
Apply right away. It's not always a very smooth transition, so the sooner you can do it the better. SSDI does not necessarily qualify a person for Medicaid, so that will take some time too.
Best of luck to you and to her.
Best of luck to you and to her.
2
I remember in a long ago world that there would be hearings in front of Congress when major changes to laws were being considered. People like Alice or others that would be affected would testify and try to make an impact, in front of the people who were changing their world.
Now it's a strike of the pen regardless of how they hurt citizens in their country, their state, even in their district. They have their marching orders from their party and party loyalty requires them to bow down.
The saddest part is that they refuse to listen to the people they are supposed to be representing. They simply pay fealty to their donors.
WE THE PEOPLE have been replaced by WE THE RICH DONORS.
Shameful.
Now it's a strike of the pen regardless of how they hurt citizens in their country, their state, even in their district. They have their marching orders from their party and party loyalty requires them to bow down.
The saddest part is that they refuse to listen to the people they are supposed to be representing. They simply pay fealty to their donors.
WE THE PEOPLE have been replaced by WE THE RICH DONORS.
Shameful.
1
Kudos to Ms. Wong for having the courage to share her personal struggles with the tenuous medical and social safety net which is more porous and parsimonious than that of almost every other First World country.
Now that the House Freedom Caucus has gutted the "pre-existing conditions" of Paul Ryan's already tissue paper-thin AHCA - right-wing media (Limbaugh and George Will just in the last few hours) have taken up the cry that covering anyone with "pre-existing conditions" violates the very concept of insurance - because "even Lloyds of London won't insure a ship already on the bottom of the ocean" (thank you, Mr. Limbaugh).
So Americans with pre-existing conditions (many tens of millions of us) are now analogous to "sunken ships". We're "already dead" - so no need to worry about us anymore. Health insurance (GOP-style) is only for the healthy.
When Ryan and Co. tell us they want to "repeal Obamacare" - believe them. They want American health insurance to be a profit-making enterprise - with no government subsidies at all. For them (as always) - it's "every person for themselves" - and those that drown, well, they should have learned to swim better.
Now that the House Freedom Caucus has gutted the "pre-existing conditions" of Paul Ryan's already tissue paper-thin AHCA - right-wing media (Limbaugh and George Will just in the last few hours) have taken up the cry that covering anyone with "pre-existing conditions" violates the very concept of insurance - because "even Lloyds of London won't insure a ship already on the bottom of the ocean" (thank you, Mr. Limbaugh).
So Americans with pre-existing conditions (many tens of millions of us) are now analogous to "sunken ships". We're "already dead" - so no need to worry about us anymore. Health insurance (GOP-style) is only for the healthy.
When Ryan and Co. tell us they want to "repeal Obamacare" - believe them. They want American health insurance to be a profit-making enterprise - with no government subsidies at all. For them (as always) - it's "every person for themselves" - and those that drown, well, they should have learned to swim better.
25
It's very likely that Medicaid directly impacts several friends and relatives of yours, even if you don't realize it, Medicaid probably pays for the nursing care of that elderly Aunt who worked as a low paid retail clerk. Your friend's mom with terminal cancer is likely accessing its benefits to pay for her hospice stay. Medicaid is the ultimate financial emergency vest for a majority of Americans, not just the so called "poor". Unless you are a top earner or have saved more than most, it only takes one bad medical break to send your "middle-class" family scrambling straight to Medicaid related websites for help. For politicians it's a simple choice, fund it or be responsible for the avoidable suffering and death of millions of Americans. This include friends, relatives and maybe even you someday. Medicaid is a critical emergency financial tool for everyone.
38
I have a hidden disability. Most people believe I am just as healthy as the next person. But without Medicaid, I would die. I certainly would not be able to work because of the medications and therapy I need just to be able to function. I also have arthritis in most of my joints, which causes me almost constant pain, and I have a bulging disk in my lower back. The only thing that the Republicans might offer for people with pre-existing conditions is the "access" to health insurance. That is a front to make people think they are doing something to help people like me when they are really just throwing us to the wolves. They would put us in a high-risk pool with premiums and co-pays I would not be able to afford. I am very low-income. So while the Republicans pat themselves on their backs for being so clever to repeal the ACA, they are consigning some us to a horrible existence or death. We are real people, not just "takers" as Paul Ryan has christened us. We can be productive members of society to a certain degree, but not without healthcare. These are real people with real lives they want to cut healthcare to. Why are we all invisible? And why don't we matter to the Republicans?
27
Unfortunately for the citizens of this country, the real takers are the ones in power--the president and his family, much of congress.
7
I have all those things but being retired I don't need or want drugs. I had them for many years and still worked, not a totally physical job.
1
Ryan, Trump and many of the others making these decisions are sociopaths -- they have no conscience. They wouldn't know what a
'conscience' is if you tried to explain it to them. At least Trump doesn't pretend to be a Christian, unlike Ryan who pretends to be a devout Catholic. As if.
'conscience' is if you tried to explain it to them. At least Trump doesn't pretend to be a Christian, unlike Ryan who pretends to be a devout Catholic. As if.
2
"When Republicans talk about freedom and choice, they don’t realize that Medicaid gives those very things to people with disabilities."
When Republicans talk about freedom and choice, THEY DO REALIZE that Medicaid gives those very things to people with disabilities.
The truth is that they don't care.
When Republicans talk about freedom and choice, THEY DO REALIZE that Medicaid gives those very things to people with disabilities.
The truth is that they don't care.
35
Some with disabilities get Medicare, they might also get Medicaid.
1
To all of you concerned citizens who hate the idea of anyone "gaming" the system I ask what percentage of freeloading is acceptable to you? 10%? 5%?
My guess is zero because for too many the thought of anyone gaming the system means the plug should be pulled (literally and figuratively) on the whole program.
It is time for those who rage against "entitlements" to pull your heads out and realize the social costs of leaving the disabled to fend for themselves is far greater than helping them become as much as they can be.
Let's cut some more taxes for the wealthy and subsidize some more corporate bad behavior so we can get back to squabbling over the crumbs.
My guess is zero because for too many the thought of anyone gaming the system means the plug should be pulled (literally and figuratively) on the whole program.
It is time for those who rage against "entitlements" to pull your heads out and realize the social costs of leaving the disabled to fend for themselves is far greater than helping them become as much as they can be.
Let's cut some more taxes for the wealthy and subsidize some more corporate bad behavior so we can get back to squabbling over the crumbs.
2
Health care is a basic human right, and there should be no debate about who gets it, and who doesn't. The only debate should be about how to control costs and that may mean we rid ourselves of the notion that the market place and shareholders have the right to dictate prices.
43
Agree. Health is a basic human right and it is not to be negotiated on the market. It is the basis of our freedom to become what we pursue, to be productive, creative and kind, the freedom to fulfill our human potential. How much of our life is already sucked up in daily frantic struggles and negotiations dictated by unpredictable market swings? From education to mortgages, job changes and maintaining health. These struggles are framed as 'choices'. In fact, they are the struggles of confronting all the impossible pros/cons of various ‘options’. But, pause and imagine the personal freedom and feeling of having true control over our own life if we were to have a decent, reliable and protected health care model. Different model.
Too many are afraid/unwilling to look at other models. It w'd be great to learn and compare different countries. No model will fit perfectly. But being informed and aware will help shape facts-based informed decisions, and not political decisions about our own health. Indeed, the debate should be about the cost of an equitable HC model. The current HC model evolved as a complicated web of layers and layers of loopholes, provisions and political compromises trying to patch up systemic weakness. Cost will always be an issue. But instead of patching up such giant built on the sandy grounds of crony market forces, perhaps it is time to re-think it and base it on the principles of equity and authentic freedom.
Too many are afraid/unwilling to look at other models. It w'd be great to learn and compare different countries. No model will fit perfectly. But being informed and aware will help shape facts-based informed decisions, and not political decisions about our own health. Indeed, the debate should be about the cost of an equitable HC model. The current HC model evolved as a complicated web of layers and layers of loopholes, provisions and political compromises trying to patch up systemic weakness. Cost will always be an issue. But instead of patching up such giant built on the sandy grounds of crony market forces, perhaps it is time to re-think it and base it on the principles of equity and authentic freedom.
3
After nearly 8 years of pretending they had a better, cheaper health care plan, it is now patently apparent that the Republicans have no such plan. They could not put up, so they should shut up, fully fund the ACA and do what they can to work with Democrats to improve it, so Alice Wong and millions like her can live with full human dignity.
25
What they have is no consensus on what to do, and they are way too political instead of being focused on care they whine about insurance.
2
What is an "Other"?
3
"Others" are non-white people, people living below the poverty line, people who work at back breaking labor intensive jobs for low wages, people with disabilities, etc.
But I think you know exactly who others are.
But I think you know exactly who others are.
22
This doesn't sound as shocking as it used to and it seems to really capture the current thought process of the people pushing the repeal of the ACA:
"Are there no prisons?"
"Plenty of prisons..."
"And the Union workhouses." demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"Both very busy, sir..."
"Those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." Charles Dickens
"Are there no prisons?"
"Plenty of prisons..."
"And the Union workhouses." demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?"
"Both very busy, sir..."
"Those who are badly off must go there."
"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."
"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." Charles Dickens
31
In Dickens' London the disabled lived on the streets. Manny Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan disabled veterans live on America's streets. Dickens is rolling in his grave.
11
Dicken's London: Small government, low taxes, low regulations. Lots of FREEDOM.
1
For those wondering how Canada pays for its single payer system, here is a link to the income taxation in Canada and its various provinces.
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/fq/txrts-eng.html
11
Yes and we are not blessed with Canadians as our citizens. If you gave everyone health care the consequences of it would be massive.
Great. We could also look at other countries, like the Nordic countries. Let's look at their taxes and see what they get for their buck, like health, education, child care, elderly care, personal development, etc. And then let's see what we get in exchange for our taxes. We pay tax and after that we have to figure how to pay child care, health, premiums, etc. from our own pockets. And also we need to verify whether all those tax deductions and adjustments amount to a significant help or are just cosmetics. Thanks for the link
7
The tax rate in the Nordic countries is approximately 60 percent. Thanks God ours is not!
1
"A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." - Mahatma Gandhi.
As a wise orange man said recently, we deserve "a very, very big fat failing grade".
To those drunk on hubris: any of us could cross over the line separating the abled from the disabled in an instant. Universal healthcare is the only right answer.
As a wise orange man said recently, we deserve "a very, very big fat failing grade".
To those drunk on hubris: any of us could cross over the line separating the abled from the disabled in an instant. Universal healthcare is the only right answer.
1
I live in Virginia which refused Medicaid expansion because the state legislature is are a bunch of old Confederate bigots. The same state legislature that tried to foist "vaginal probes" on women seeking abortion (basically 'medical rape').
I have limited Medicaid coverage for Epi-Pens, which I must use to prevent suffocation death from anaphlyaxis. I've used my yearly covered allotment of Epi-Pens so even with Medicaid drug coverage I pay $700 for 2 pens. I can't afford it. What do I do? Beats me, but without them I risk death by suffocation.
To make matters worse, I just got a letter from my pharmacy saying my last Epi-Pen refill is 'defective' & I should contact Mylan --- the predatory pharma company that raised the price of Epi-Pens from $100 in 2014 to $700 now purely because they have a 'hostage' consumer base that will die without their product --- & ask how to exchange my defective Epi-Pens. Check that out - $700 for one refill of a medication you must buy to save your life -- even tho the manufacturer is gouging sick people -- & it's 'defective.'
Virginia legislature is to blame for the medical disaster in this state. I once lived in California & hope to move back because California's medical system would be life-saving for me. But paying $700 for Epi-Pens is ruining me. 2 other RX I use are $300 a month. Even with Medicaid coverage, I pay $1000 out of pocket every month for medication.
The GOP is insane. Really insane. A pox on them.
I have limited Medicaid coverage for Epi-Pens, which I must use to prevent suffocation death from anaphlyaxis. I've used my yearly covered allotment of Epi-Pens so even with Medicaid drug coverage I pay $700 for 2 pens. I can't afford it. What do I do? Beats me, but without them I risk death by suffocation.
To make matters worse, I just got a letter from my pharmacy saying my last Epi-Pen refill is 'defective' & I should contact Mylan --- the predatory pharma company that raised the price of Epi-Pens from $100 in 2014 to $700 now purely because they have a 'hostage' consumer base that will die without their product --- & ask how to exchange my defective Epi-Pens. Check that out - $700 for one refill of a medication you must buy to save your life -- even tho the manufacturer is gouging sick people -- & it's 'defective.'
Virginia legislature is to blame for the medical disaster in this state. I once lived in California & hope to move back because California's medical system would be life-saving for me. But paying $700 for Epi-Pens is ruining me. 2 other RX I use are $300 a month. Even with Medicaid coverage, I pay $1000 out of pocket every month for medication.
The GOP is insane. Really insane. A pox on them.
43
you should buy them in England or an EU country 50$ for 2 aprox and get them shipped.
12
CVS has Adrenaclick, generic epic pens for much cheaper cost. Please look into that. I will never give another dime to Mylan.
3
That's an idea as a friend is about to travel to EU country for a month. But would he need a RX to buy them?
I would be scared to order them online from Europe in case they aren't effective. Nor do I know how you order medications from England. But I'll look around.
I would be scared to order them online from Europe in case they aren't effective. Nor do I know how you order medications from England. But I'll look around.
1
I'm surprised that Rick Santorum, with his severely disabled daughter, has not spoken out about the current health care issues facing the United States.
1
With respect, the plural of anecdote is not data.
3
One anecdote is a case study. Multiple anecdotes are data.
3
Actually, no, multiple anecdotes are not data. Scientific data are collected under controlled conditions allowing for conclusions and inferences to be made. Anecdotes, regardless of their number, are not observed under controlled conditions, therefore no conclusions or inferences can be made.
1
Let's not forget that the Nazi's started by labeling people as an asset to society or a drain and that they killed disabled people first so they wouldn't be a drain on society.
22
" useless eaters" .
2
Ms. Wong tells the story that needs to be told. This is the lucid prose of an American. Not the whining of politicians who assault the intelligence with their poster stories for what's wrong with the system, but the everyday stories of the overwhelming majority of recipients for whom Medicaid is literally a lifesaver. Not to mention the immeasurable value that society derives from the contributions of ALL its citizens, which dwarfs its monetary "costs."
18
Courageous and informed article. Its a nice example of the idea that yes it costs money to take care of people, but often the benefits far outweigh the costs. As a taxpayer I'd much rather my dollars went to supporting programs that give life, than to those that take them away -- aka the military, entitlements to big ag, big oil and other entrenched industries.
19
Good for you for speaking out and sharing your story. I am a master's level social worker with 19 years in the field. I have held many positions during that time, and have worked in different capacities with people who rely on Medicaid for healthcare and supplemental income. I can relate to your story because even as a profession white collar worker, I have had my ups and downs with private insurance. I spent eight years without insurance because I couldn't afford the premiums and had several pre-existing conditions that I knew would most likely cause me to be rejected or have to wait for treatment of those conditions. Once the ACA really took hold in my state (NH), and several choices from different insurance companies allowed me to finally scrape up the money to pay a monthly premium, I joined a healthcare exchange insurance company. They have been an excellent non-profit insurance company that pays $50 a year for me to get my yearly physical, waived co-pays for well care, and no deductible, which is a blessing all by itself. Prior to that, without insurance, I made self-pay arrangements with providers that would let me, but it was costly, so I had to defer well care for eight years. Fortunately, I am still young enough and healthy enough that nothing serious went wrong in that timeframe that I wasn't able to afford. I fight beside you for strengthening the ACA or better yet, universal Medicare for all.
23
This is an incredibly important essay, not only because the writer makes clear how important Medicaid is in her life, but also because of how much she has been able to achieve. Those achievements -- graduate school and a paying job -- are the part that might get conservatives' attention.
We must realize that Paul Ryan and his ilk are not moved AT ALL by the plight of the totally disabled. They would rather see benefits withdrawn and those people left to die, because in their eyes (and those of their megarich campaign donors), a person's only value lies in how profit he or she can produce for someone else. Life in their view has NO intrinsic worth. Someone like Ms. Wong is one of the few conundrums in their worldview, a person who may cost less or even produce a net surplus with the benefit of Medicaid.
We need to shout from the (digital) rooftops that providing services to enable independent living, expensive as it is, is still less expensive than providing institutional care.
We must realize that Paul Ryan and his ilk are not moved AT ALL by the plight of the totally disabled. They would rather see benefits withdrawn and those people left to die, because in their eyes (and those of their megarich campaign donors), a person's only value lies in how profit he or she can produce for someone else. Life in their view has NO intrinsic worth. Someone like Ms. Wong is one of the few conundrums in their worldview, a person who may cost less or even produce a net surplus with the benefit of Medicaid.
We need to shout from the (digital) rooftops that providing services to enable independent living, expensive as it is, is still less expensive than providing institutional care.
17
Let's just send Congress on a field trip to Walter reed rehab gym. Seeing is believing.
6
Thank you, Ms. Wong, for sharing this story. Because of Medicaid, my mother was able to live at home after a serious and debilitating stroke 7 years ago. I lived with her, caring for her at night while having a home health aide with her during the day when I worked. I have a family member with an autoimmune disease, who, absent Medicaid, would not be able to live independently. What our elected "leaders" fail to understand is that Medicaid is a program which is, as you said, a life line for thousands of people. I am sickened when I hear congressmen demean and belittle those who are disabled and those who live in poverty. Yes, some people scam the system, but the majority of recipients are people who, like yourself, would never want the help if it weren't absolutely necessary for them to live productive, independent lives.
19
Thank yo for the fine piece on disability and its hidden costs. Living independently remains a dream for too many of us with disabilities, especially young adults. Too many care attendants make less than a living wage. As a society we need to do better.
11
You are an inspiration for us all Alice. I have worked in healthcare for over 33 years and let me say that at its most basic form, healthcare is about people helping people helping people. I agree that we give way too much away to the business sector while purposely forgetting that we as a society, have a moral responsibility to assist those in need; whether disabled or economically disadvantaged. This society we live in has spiraled down into just outright meanness! Aren't all in this together? Healthcare coverage is one issue, regardless of political party, that is personal and okay I will say the word, an entitlement for all.
5
Your view is one opinion. And from your position, it is a completely logical opinion. But other viewpoints exist. To some other people, their tax dollars are being used to pay for your health care. And from the sound of this piece, that cost is likely hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. When you scale that up, billions of dollars are being taken from most taxpayers and given to the disabled. Cutting Medicaid is not an attack on the disabled. It is simply healthy people acting in their own best interests (just as you are in advocating for public health care) to keep more of the money they earn in their own pockets.
1
Indeed: there are many healthy people who are content - as you seem to be - for others to die rather than have to contribute to their healthcare. If we are all to act in our own interest, you will lose a great many common goods to which I do not care to contribute.
12
Dan--can you absolutely, positively guarantee 100% that you will never, ever become disabled at any point in your life? You can say for a fact that you will ever get sick with a serious debilitating illness, get into an accident, etc?
I've known plenty of people like you, the "healthy people" who think nothing bad will ever happen to them. Right.
Being alive carries a risk for everyone, young, old, middle age. Life has a funny way of paying back selfishness and I can guarantee--it's not pretty.
I've known plenty of people like you, the "healthy people" who think nothing bad will ever happen to them. Right.
Being alive carries a risk for everyone, young, old, middle age. Life has a funny way of paying back selfishness and I can guarantee--it's not pretty.
1
Wow, all I can say is I hope you never need help from your fellow man. Me, I'm happy to see my tax dollars go to support someone like the author of this commentary. We're all in this thing called life together - and we should pool our resources so we all succeed. It's not about "I have mine... so good luck!"
8
3 things I believe to be true:
1. All (or most) people want all people to be cared for medically, socially, and spiritually.
2. The only inalienable rights we have under the Declaration of Independence are liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. TRANSLATION: We can strive to attain happiness, expect to live physically unmolested, and be free to make choices.
3. The word "RIGHT" appears dozens of times in the constitution--none in reference to health, medical care, medicine, etc. We do not have the RIGHT to medical care.
Oh, and I believe one more thing: Crafting legislation by anecdote is not smart. This does not mean Alice's story leaves me unmoved. But making changes to one of our L-A-R-G-E-S-T entitlement programs based on personal stories is . . . not smart.
1. All (or most) people want all people to be cared for medically, socially, and spiritually.
2. The only inalienable rights we have under the Declaration of Independence are liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. TRANSLATION: We can strive to attain happiness, expect to live physically unmolested, and be free to make choices.
3. The word "RIGHT" appears dozens of times in the constitution--none in reference to health, medical care, medicine, etc. We do not have the RIGHT to medical care.
Oh, and I believe one more thing: Crafting legislation by anecdote is not smart. This does not mean Alice's story leaves me unmoved. But making changes to one of our L-A-R-G-E-S-T entitlement programs based on personal stories is . . . not smart.
2
liberty and the pursuit...you forgot LIFE....woops...
6
Thank you, and Amen.
I read things like this and fantasize that Paul Ryan reads it, and has a moral epiphany of some sort. That unless one is born wealthy, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US - or any one of our loved ones - is one unfortunate accident or illness away from needing this kind of help, and seeing our families simply ruined in trying to pay for it. Trying to take away care from people who need it is evil.
But I have little hope Paul Ryan can understand that.
I read things like this and fantasize that Paul Ryan reads it, and has a moral epiphany of some sort. That unless one is born wealthy, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US - or any one of our loved ones - is one unfortunate accident or illness away from needing this kind of help, and seeing our families simply ruined in trying to pay for it. Trying to take away care from people who need it is evil.
But I have little hope Paul Ryan can understand that.
9
Ryan was happy enough to accept Social Security money to attend Miami of Ohio after his father died. Students now don't have that luxury as the program was disbanded many years ago.
7
The government was there with their hand out for 30 years when I was working full time. After my accident and being declared disabled, I am now treated as a pariah by Washington.
The cruelty and viciousness of this Congress and Senate is, I believe, unheralded in the history of this country.
Let me be clear, if they pass this monstrosity of a bill, I and the millions of families affected by this will be camped out in your offices, we will tie up your phone lines, stuff your email, etc.
The cruelty and viciousness of this Congress and Senate is, I believe, unheralded in the history of this country.
Let me be clear, if they pass this monstrosity of a bill, I and the millions of families affected by this will be camped out in your offices, we will tie up your phone lines, stuff your email, etc.
20
"Today I am unapologetically disabled and a fully engaged member of society. None of that would be possible without Medicaid."
The author is a good example of the value of Medicaid, seen by the right as a "taker" program, but a lifeline for those who would not be able to function or contribute to society without it.
We have a huge attitude problem in this country when it comes to healthcare services: who gets them, who deserves them, what they cost, and whether or not we even should offer a safety net to our most vulnerable.
It's getting worse every day. I think this latest battle over the repeal of the ACA with all that implies about the future of Medicaid is certainly educating many over what these programs do, who is covered, and how they benefit those dependent on them.
Without this knowledge, people--including politicians who have the luxury of the best healthcare coverage in the land--will continue to scapegoat the poor and the disabled. It is a true blight on our country that our leaders, and indeed many taxpayers, see the consumption of health resources by the disabled and the poor as both inconvenient and a costly waste of resources.
That's just so sick. Maybe if they were forced to walk even just one day in the shoes of a person with disabilities, or someone who lost their job and got ill at the same time, they would see things differently.
The author is a good example of the value of Medicaid, seen by the right as a "taker" program, but a lifeline for those who would not be able to function or contribute to society without it.
We have a huge attitude problem in this country when it comes to healthcare services: who gets them, who deserves them, what they cost, and whether or not we even should offer a safety net to our most vulnerable.
It's getting worse every day. I think this latest battle over the repeal of the ACA with all that implies about the future of Medicaid is certainly educating many over what these programs do, who is covered, and how they benefit those dependent on them.
Without this knowledge, people--including politicians who have the luxury of the best healthcare coverage in the land--will continue to scapegoat the poor and the disabled. It is a true blight on our country that our leaders, and indeed many taxpayers, see the consumption of health resources by the disabled and the poor as both inconvenient and a costly waste of resources.
That's just so sick. Maybe if they were forced to walk even just one day in the shoes of a person with disabilities, or someone who lost their job and got ill at the same time, they would see things differently.
12
Health care for all is not a right, but is a privilege of an affluent society. As long as our society is reasonably affluent, and we are more than reasonably affluent, we can and should support health care for anyone who is not born blessed with perfect health. Otherwise, what is the point of having an affluent society? God bless California! We at least try to understand these things here, even if we are not perfect.
29
Byrdman, the fact is that societies less affluent than ours have also managed to provide universal healthcare. Such as Cuba, where life expectancy is not that different than ours. It's not a matter of affluence, it is a matter of priorities.
18
Health care is a right!
I'm very fortunate to be a Canadian citizen. Everyone here is covered by a form of "Medicaid" – a single-payer government-administered universal health system that is universal and unlimited, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Part of this system includes management of costs and fees; which is not to say our doctors are financially oppressed – most do quite well. According to the Toronto Globe & Mail, Canadian doctors have an average annual income (before taxes) of a little more than $225,000. This ranges: from psychiatrists, who bill the least ($232,000 gross), to ophthalmologists, who bill the most ($676,000 gross).
Our single payer system, along with far lower malpractice awards, and significantly less trauma and death due to firearm violence, makes Canada an attractive place for US doctors who choose to flee the chaos and uncertainty of US insurance and the constant presence of unchecked gun violence. Also, because our universities are publicly funded, one can earn a medical degree without incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans.
I moved to Canada decades ago, and am thankful daily for doing so, especially when reading articles like this about the US healthcare system.
Our single payer system, along with far lower malpractice awards, and significantly less trauma and death due to firearm violence, makes Canada an attractive place for US doctors who choose to flee the chaos and uncertainty of US insurance and the constant presence of unchecked gun violence. Also, because our universities are publicly funded, one can earn a medical degree without incurring hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loans.
I moved to Canada decades ago, and am thankful daily for doing so, especially when reading articles like this about the US healthcare system.
59
It just costs money. A Canadian resident of Ontario pays 20.5% national and provincial tax on the first dollar of income. So, someone earning $20,000 in Canada will pay $4,100 in taxes. In the US, that person would pay no Federal tax, would probably get cash credit in the form of the EITC or Child Tax Credit. In states like California, this person would pay no state income tax. Someone earning $40,000 would pay $8,200 in national and provincial income tax, much more than would be paid by an American living in any state. It just takes money. There are no free lunches in Canada either.
@Kurfco -- True, but how much would that US citizen pay in health insurance premiums? If they had employer-provided insurance, how much would their insurer pay? For many people, the net difference would be small between paying more in taxes and paying for premiums now (or their employer paying more in taxes vs. paying health insurance premiums).
6
Chris*** the Canadian system is much closer to our Medicare system, not Medicaid.
2
This highlights the need for specific federal health programs that provide guaranteed eligibility and secure benefits for those who need them. We cannot leave people behind because they have a health condition and families cannot provide all the appropriate care people need. Health care is a right that allows all of us to flourish and contribute - we cannot let any so-called plans change that.
12
One of my good friends is an OB-GYN. He says that 70% of the babies he delivers are paid for my Medicaid. And a huge percentage of the mothers are on drugs so the babies are born with all kinds of problems which we taxpayers are also on the hook for. And we don't live in the inner city or in Appalachia. What's wrong with this picture?
10
Waiting, you are ruining the liberal narrative with facts! There is a reason why this author was chose for the article and not the Medicaid recipients you speak of. Its called supporting a narrative. That narrative is that all Medicaid recipients are clearly deserving of services just like the author when in reality there are many who game the Medicaid system.
7
Get some real facts. Real numbers, real research and not hear say. Really? "I have a doctor friend who says....." and somehow this line is supposed to shed light on a large and complicated reality? Please, get real, get thoughtful; let's open up our minds and make America think again.
5
You can't talk about some who "game" the Medicaid system unless you are also prepared to discuss all of corporate America and the very wealthy who have gamed our system for the last 30 plus years.
7
When my sister became paralyzed we had to help fill out forms and deal with the government agencies that handle Medicaid reimbursements. Two things that I will never forget are the compassion which some of these bureaucratic jobholders showed my sister and the constant checking, double checking and then rechecking that went on to prove that my sister was worthy of this governmental largess. If you have never had to jump through the endless hoops set up to apply for medicaid then you should really just keep quite and calm down. Is far as I'm concerned if anyone is receiving benefits that they don't deserve then they must have a cohort on the inside because the vetting process we went through was thorough and exhausting. Bank records from 20 years ago, doctors explaining and, sometimes pleading, with the paper pushers, countless hours on hold and on line and documentation for everything regarding the illness no matter how trivial. Those who think that this is, somehow, a scam should only have to apply for the sake of someone they love. God forbid.
82
Rick: The complexity of this system explains why people make a living (albeit, a paultry one) as Medicaid Service Coordinators in community-based non-profits serving people with disabilities.
4
Years ago, when I heard disability rights advocates describe non-disabled people as the "temporarily able-bodied," I found the jargon PC and annoying. Now that I'm a little older, after various routine ailments - rotator cuff tear, tendonitis, sprains, etc - I know they are right. We're all one bad fall away from disability. We need safety nets that protect everyone.
I'm glad that Alice Wong has been able to get solid support services. I'm sure she's had to fight for them. In California, we've balanced state budgets by cutting MediCal reimbursement rates to the bone, making it harder and harder to find doctors who will take MediCal patients.
I'm glad that Alice Wong has been able to get solid support services. I'm sure she's had to fight for them. In California, we've balanced state budgets by cutting MediCal reimbursement rates to the bone, making it harder and harder to find doctors who will take MediCal patients.
34
It's PC until if affects us personally.
6
People who need Medicaid should get it. The "Welfare Queen comment" was a little snarky because the system has problems. Does anyone remember the story several years back how a bunch of Russian immigrants in NYC lived in million dollar apartments in Queens but were all scamming to get Medicaid at the same time. A heartfelt story by the author but the issue is not so touchy feelie as we make it out to be. Medicaid is an extremely expensive program.
10
Every program known to man has problems. No one denies that. What some of us would like to point out is that the alternative - denying people services and needed care - is simply not an option.
No one disputes that there is such a thing as Medicaid and Medicare fraud. Just like no one disputes that the ACA had problems. These are problems that need - actually do get - quite a bit of attention.
To use this as an excuse to cut people off is just sickening. And stupid, because the efforts will backfire ultimately. Single payer is coming.
No one disputes that there is such a thing as Medicaid and Medicare fraud. Just like no one disputes that the ACA had problems. These are problems that need - actually do get - quite a bit of attention.
To use this as an excuse to cut people off is just sickening. And stupid, because the efforts will backfire ultimately. Single payer is coming.
8
I would argue that Republicans like to talk about the underselling people gaming the system because it supports their narrative. They would like to gut Medicaid completely. I would argue for doing what we can (and I am sure one smart folks can come up with solutions) to ensure that people aren;t taking advantage of loopholes etc. It is to a crime to be born with an illness or to have an accident or get a disease. I have friends who are battling cancer and MS, or the results of car accidents. Life can be cruel. But we are a rich country. If the wealthy paid their fair share of taxes there would be support for all our citizens. And I reckon that one day even Republicans will come to their senses and realize that some form of single payer system like the lucky Canadians have would be better for everyone...except big insurance companies and Big Pharma, who would actually have to compete.
2
What aren't people as concerned with corporate greed and scamming as they are Medicaid?
7
There is an enormous distinction between the author of this piece and many others on medicaid. This woman has a disability and needs services. Not unlimited services, but certainly quite a bit. She is a far cry from the woman who has multiple children with no intention of having a job and no means of supporting them when she became pregnant. She is a far cry from the person who is satisfied with being on public assistance, and a far cry from the person with the "disability" of back pain but can ride a bike and play golf. She is certainly a far cry from the illegal immigrant who does get medicaid when they get sick/hurt and show up at the ER.
Do not confuse this woman with the "other" type of medicaid recipient of which there are many. I have never heard a liberal talk about reigning that in.
Do not confuse this woman with the "other" type of medicaid recipient of which there are many. I have never heard a liberal talk about reigning that in.
11
You are using common sense thinking, but that does not apply to the extreme positions of either party. How dare you use your mind and think rationally! (note sarcasm)
2
Right out of the Federal Government's undocumented aliens access to Medicaid:
• No federal funding to cover undocumented immigrants, except
for payment for limited emergency services
The entire document is at https://tinyurl.com/kbz663v
Remind me to avoid your fake practice.
• No federal funding to cover undocumented immigrants, except
for payment for limited emergency services
The entire document is at https://tinyurl.com/kbz663v
Remind me to avoid your fake practice.
7
She is a far cry from your straw man/woman arguments.
5
There is no basic human right of self-determination. The fact that we have organized ourselves into societies which allows and brings life to those among us who are not so fortunate as to be born free of infirmities has made life however difficult at least possible, which is where self-determination comes into play.
This however raises another question which is why we promote the sanctity of conception as equating to an existence free of defect. Before medical advances children who were born with obvious physical or mental disabilities were often allowed to die or even killed.
Today we have tools which can determine many if not all problems and physicians have skills which can avert the disastrous consequence of mental or physical deformities in utero. Certainly none among us wish to be visited by a problem of this sort but if we can specifically determine the developing embryo will be burdened with an incurable condition throughout life my sense is abortion makes compassionate good sense for all involved including the developing embryo.
This article indicates Ms Wong has been afflicted throughout her life with an incurable and apparently worsening condition which has been considered with apparent care, respect and assistance yet many others who share her plight find a life of this sort even if available to them as untenable.
Putting all philosophical arguments aside my sense is life under some circumstances can be unbearable and should be avoided
This however raises another question which is why we promote the sanctity of conception as equating to an existence free of defect. Before medical advances children who were born with obvious physical or mental disabilities were often allowed to die or even killed.
Today we have tools which can determine many if not all problems and physicians have skills which can avert the disastrous consequence of mental or physical deformities in utero. Certainly none among us wish to be visited by a problem of this sort but if we can specifically determine the developing embryo will be burdened with an incurable condition throughout life my sense is abortion makes compassionate good sense for all involved including the developing embryo.
This article indicates Ms Wong has been afflicted throughout her life with an incurable and apparently worsening condition which has been considered with apparent care, respect and assistance yet many others who share her plight find a life of this sort even if available to them as untenable.
Putting all philosophical arguments aside my sense is life under some circumstances can be unbearable and should be avoided
2
And who's going to decide that--you? Not the individuals involved? Are you going to force disabled people into euthanasia centers? Require abortions?
These decisions are NOT yours to make, unless they are about you and your body, period.
These decisions are NOT yours to make, unless they are about you and your body, period.
8
"There is no basic human right of self-determination"? Are you kidding me? How about, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence.
12
There are several problems with that argument: first, not all problems can be detected in utero with current medical technology, so some will be born with disabilities that could not be detected. Second, some disabilities, such as Down Syndrome or autism, do not affect every individual the same way, and it is impossible to know in advance how high-functioning an individual will be able to become -- so even if there were a universal standard of when life is worth living, it would be impossible to apply it before birth. Third, many disabling conditions, such as a severe stroke or injuries from an accident, occur later in life, so abortion could not prevent disabled people from existing. I prefer compassion for those afflicted, whether their parents knew in advance they would be disabled or not.
1
There are two kinds of people in the world. The disabled and the not-yet-disabled.
35
Huzzah! I discovered that truth at age 19, when I made turned my VW bug into the path of a UPS truck. It was a Monday morning, I was completely sober and on my way to school and I misjudged how fast the truck was going. Had I been hit just a little harder, I would have been rendered quadriplegic.
From college sophomore to spoon-fed ward of the state, in the blink of an eye.
Between luck and my dad's very good employer-paid health insurance, I got off with a fractured C2 vertebra that healed crooked, causing chronic pain--but I still have use of my arms and legs. We are very fragile critters, and none of us is exempt from accidents.
Don't take good health for granted folks. And if you're smart, do everything in your power to ensure that when (not IF) you need help, it will be there for you.
From college sophomore to spoon-fed ward of the state, in the blink of an eye.
Between luck and my dad's very good employer-paid health insurance, I got off with a fractured C2 vertebra that healed crooked, causing chronic pain--but I still have use of my arms and legs. We are very fragile critters, and none of us is exempt from accidents.
Don't take good health for granted folks. And if you're smart, do everything in your power to ensure that when (not IF) you need help, it will be there for you.
37
I once saw the phrase, T.A.B. - temporarily able bodied!
6
Great op-ed. We are all in this together. Call your representatives and fight for Medicaid and pre-existing condition protections and ACA. We are a great country because we are one family; don’t push our sisters and brothers under the bus. Tomorrow it might be you waiting at the bus stop.
31
Ok Republicians - just try and take away benefits - health care is a right - see you at the polls in 2018.
21
Only problem with the story is the misconception that Medicare & SS are entitlements. They are premium based, government controlled health & retirement plans. The premium? Every worker pays them every week from their pay checks. Federal workers may not collect either, they never pay into them. The size of the payment changes week to week depending on the size of the check.
If you want to call Medicaid the same thing, then all citizens must pay premiums before, during, & after receiving Medicaid. Recipients, for the most part don't. So it's an entitlement. Some entitlements are good, like this.
But, you do yourself & other recipients an injustice by trying to make Medicaid the same as Medicare. Of course congress has been stealing from both the Medicare & SS trust funds since their inceptions, $3trillion so far & still counting, so all taxpayers will have to make up any short falls since we refuse to stop them & make them repay every cent. It still doesn't make them entitlements, anymore than a 401k in a wealthy company is a government based entitlement.
If you want to call Medicaid the same thing, then all citizens must pay premiums before, during, & after receiving Medicaid. Recipients, for the most part don't. So it's an entitlement. Some entitlements are good, like this.
But, you do yourself & other recipients an injustice by trying to make Medicaid the same as Medicare. Of course congress has been stealing from both the Medicare & SS trust funds since their inceptions, $3trillion so far & still counting, so all taxpayers will have to make up any short falls since we refuse to stop them & make them repay every cent. It still doesn't make them entitlements, anymore than a 401k in a wealthy company is a government based entitlement.
7
Many people get more from social security than they put in. Most people who receive Medicaid at some point in their lives earn a paycheck and pay into it at other points in their lives. So what is the difference again?
And Federal workers hired after 1984 do receive social security.
And Federal workers hired after 1984 do receive social security.
4
You misunderstand what "entitlement" means. An entitlement program is one in which everyone who meets the requirements receives the benefits, and which therefore has no set budget. Which includes Social Security ,Medicare and Medicare among other programs. There are other programs that have a set budget, such as Section 8 and other programs These are not entitlement programs - because when the money runs out there may be (and often are) people who qualify for the benefit but do not receive it
An "entitlement" is something you are entitled to receive. Republicans have flipped the word so that by their definition if you are entitled to it, you're a lazy bum who's not entitled to it.
2
We Americans rarely ask, "How have other countries addressed this situation?" European countries compare their situations within the EU framework everyday, while Asian countries---especially Japan, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan---almost always study other countries before implementing a new policy.
NYT can do us all a favor by comparing how other countries have addressed issues concerning disability. It is time for Americans to learn what other societies have discovered.
NYT can do us all a favor by comparing how other countries have addressed issues concerning disability. It is time for Americans to learn what other societies have discovered.
23
We are "exceptional" and above the fray, beyond reproach. There's nothing to learn from anyone.
6
First, this is a masterfully written piece by Ms. Wong. So thank you. But, allow me to be very blunt with my two cents. Our son is a totally disabled adult, who will never live independently. I have been involved long enough to tell it like it is. In our society he has no voice. In fact, he is viewed as having no worth. This is no coincidence with the societal drift" "You are on your own." We should be ashamed to live in the richest country in the history of the world and fail to allocate the resources to enrich the lives of the least fortunate among us. it breaks the true social contract of "we are all in this together."
84
Alice, thank you for writing an inspiring article. I have friends whose children were diagnosed with SMA, so I know a little bit of what your life might be like -- and you have my great admiration and respect.
But I wonder at the origin of your sentiments: -- When I was young, I felt shame and embarrassment at being one of “those people” on benefits. -- Where did that come from? And how can we change that attitude, without having ourselves to be in need of the benefits provided? If we could answer those questions, we might then be able to change those mindsets, to everybody's benefit. Because no one knows whether they or a family or friend might be in similar need one day.
But I wonder at the origin of your sentiments: -- When I was young, I felt shame and embarrassment at being one of “those people” on benefits. -- Where did that come from? And how can we change that attitude, without having ourselves to be in need of the benefits provided? If we could answer those questions, we might then be able to change those mindsets, to everybody's benefit. Because no one knows whether they or a family or friend might be in similar need one day.
10
My "second" career (after the crash of 2008 disrupted my trajectory) has been with a community-based program that receives 94% of its funding through Medicaid. I have become acutely aware of the fact that ALL of us will be disabled someday, no exceptions, even if it's (mercifully) just for the last few hours/days of life.
24
What we healthy people want is for the disabled to live, but for someone else to pay the bill. Of course, if all the potential bill payers manage to shift responsibility for the bill to someone else, the disabled do not live. So we have a natural inclination to pay as little as possible in federal, state, and local taxes, health insurance premiums, and the part of our health care costs we have to cover. When we all follow this natural inclination, the disabled fall through the cracks and do not survive, but we can tell ourselves that we did not intend for this to happen, and have clear consciences (at least if the disabled have the decency to fall through the cracks quietly).
We could call this the morality of the marketplace, and it works so long as we avert our eyes from its long-term functioning.
We could call this the morality of the marketplace, and it works so long as we avert our eyes from its long-term functioning.
21
The Medicaid hate crowd changes their tune when something happens to them . Many Medicaid haters , when younger , now receive Medicaid as seniors when they need nursing home care due to Alzheimer's disease . Medicare does not cover this need after a certain period of time and the patriotic old timers turn into one of " those people " in the blink of an eye . Many people still think they'll never need help navigating the health care jungle ! Think again !
59
@Perry, this should be said often and loudly! The Democratic Party should be shouting this from the rooftops, but I don't hear too much about it.
14
Medicare never covers custodial care.
3
So true. My husband and I have been married for almost a year and a few weeks ago started the process of doing and redoing our wills and such as this is my first and his second marriage. The lawyer we hired to prepare our wills specializes in estate planning and one of her specialties is setting up asset protection trusts for those approaching old age so that they can qualify for medicaid to supplement long term care that is not covered by Medicare. If not, you will be forced to sell your families' home (if you are fortunate enough to have one with any equity or a value higher than what is owed on the mortgage) and all belongings of value just to afford what Medicare does not cover. And for those who would say this is "gaming the system," think about how you would feel if paying for your medical treatment meant leaving your family homeless and destitute. That is not a decision any person should have to make after working and contributing to society their entire lives.
16
One must be vigilant that those who need help are helped, but the sponges are weeded out.
10
How? And at what expense?
3
And I would add that the cost of weeding out the sponges would far exceed those that sponge.
9
Able bodied adults should not be receiving scarce Medicaid funds. Those funds should go to the sick and disabled.
I don’t think as a country we’ve thought seriously about people with disabilities. In principle, we want people with disabilities to lead lives as normal as possible yet you know that readers will want to know how you were able to make it to grad school, afford to live in San Francisco, work at a job, and so on, while disabled (what does disability mean then?). You tell them that Medicaid helped to make that possible. In a sense, the feeling is that if you accept Medicaid, your life should be really, really awful—and stay that way, so that a success story is not allowed.
17
Americans live in a Third World Reality. While your Politicians talk about cuts to health care, the Premier of the Province of Canada I live in as re-election promise offered Pharmacare (prescriptions paid for) to the age of 25. Only in America are people rich enough to live without Single Payer health care.
20
With my Masters degree in rehabilitation counseling from 1968, I embarked on a career in vocational counseling disabled Californians. Every state has a rehabilitation counseling program which coordinates numerous services to help the disabled live independently.
This philosophy of helping the disabled community sets America apart from many other developed countries that still see people with disabilities as unable to participate in mainstream work activities.
Americans can be proud that their country leads the way throughout the world in services and accessibility for the disabled community!
This philosophy of helping the disabled community sets America apart from many other developed countries that still see people with disabilities as unable to participate in mainstream work activities.
Americans can be proud that their country leads the way throughout the world in services and accessibility for the disabled community!
12
If we as a country cannot see the benefits the writer explained so eloquently, then we are not the country we all like to believe we live in. Trump's election was a shot across the bow showing how easily democracy can be destroyed. We are all human beings that need dignity and respect. If this could be ingrained in everyone's soul, then stories like these would not be needed.
24
Tragic that so many of us are unable to support ourselves. The number of us paying for the rest is dwindling. Like it or not, the expanding welfare state will collapse under its own weight.
11
Oh nonsense . we have an immensely productive economy . Only a small fractions is devoted to any kind of social help
35
Thank you Ms. Wong, for your story. I too, worry about the decimation of the public safety net, and whether it will be there to help my family member live independently.
My child has invisible illnesses, which concern me even more. The statement that people who live right aren't impacted by disability not only overlooks congenital physical disability, it leaves no room whatsoever for people with mental disability.
Right now, I am facing an uncertain future for my child who has severe mental illness and type 1 diabetes. Medicaid and Medicare are great, but it considers neither of these illnesses to be a disabling one, because there is no allowance for the intersection of the two:
my kiddo's bipolar symptoms include periodic depression that cripples all ability to self-care, periodic manic impulsivity and lack of ability to plan ahead, and cognitive distortions that include the inability to connect consequences with the actions that preceded them.
By themselves, these are disabling symptoms. However, when combined with diabetes type 1 (which as the doctor's office meme reminds us, is like performing a science experiment on yourself daily), these symptoms become life-threatening. I fear for a future in which there is no Medicaid, only family to assist with his care.
If this is indeed his future, I can see him becoming a resentful young person who is never allowed to fully exercise autonomy, and whose mental illness chooses suicide over that life.
My child has invisible illnesses, which concern me even more. The statement that people who live right aren't impacted by disability not only overlooks congenital physical disability, it leaves no room whatsoever for people with mental disability.
Right now, I am facing an uncertain future for my child who has severe mental illness and type 1 diabetes. Medicaid and Medicare are great, but it considers neither of these illnesses to be a disabling one, because there is no allowance for the intersection of the two:
my kiddo's bipolar symptoms include periodic depression that cripples all ability to self-care, periodic manic impulsivity and lack of ability to plan ahead, and cognitive distortions that include the inability to connect consequences with the actions that preceded them.
By themselves, these are disabling symptoms. However, when combined with diabetes type 1 (which as the doctor's office meme reminds us, is like performing a science experiment on yourself daily), these symptoms become life-threatening. I fear for a future in which there is no Medicaid, only family to assist with his care.
If this is indeed his future, I can see him becoming a resentful young person who is never allowed to fully exercise autonomy, and whose mental illness chooses suicide over that life.
23
Bipolar is a qualifying mental disorder for Medicaid, at least where I live. I have a daughter with bipolar as well, and the school immediately told us to get her on Medicaid despite the fact we have good health insurance, as a secondary payer and to cover things not always covered by insurance like a case manager and family services. I know states have different rules though.
4
It's ridiculous that States have differing rules on something so basic as bipolar disease.
4
It becomes clearer every day that the difference between republicans and democrats is that democrats recognize that 'there but for the grace of God go I'. Those of us who are healthy and have families in good health should express our gratitude by supporting those who are not as fortunate. I, for one, am happy to pay more taxes to make this a reality
67
This is why we form a government to come together to help each other. Government is not perfect, it can even fall into ridiculousness sometimes but as described by Ms. Wong it can make us a better society and culture. Easier to get out of bed when we see this.
24
The comments are, typically, either/or. Ms. Wong needs Medicaid. That's obvious. And yes, many people get it for conditions that are minor. But you know what would solve this problem? SINGLE-PAYER-HEALTH-COVERAGE. Let's stop asking how to cover "the most" Americans and instead plan to cover ALL Americans. Yes this would require some income redistribution. And yes, the program would start with many imperfections. But that's ok. What's not ok, in my opinion, is putting money on a pedestal above human life.
97
We need Medicare-for-all, simple as that. Health care is a basic human right and that right needs to be honored by us. I am grateful for this essay.
77
Study the Medicare program, how it started, how it grew, it's good parts & it's imperfections. Then build one for everyone else. Don't touch the elderlys' only life line. More & more of us have no children to 'take care of us' as we age. For many of us that was a conscious choice, because we knew we could not give any child what that child needs to grow & prosper. Now, many want to penalize us, for not popping ones out every year, just so one or two might be willing to take care of us old gizzars when the time comes. I'd rather cut out all deductions for more than one child, & think about cutting out that one too. It is beginning to look like us old folk will have to fight for our lives too. Oh, I know, those with disabled children, whether from birth, accident, or criminal actions upon them, will call us greedy, heartless, & tell us to go drop dead, but, quietly, don't wake up the baby. I've heard it already. I don't say that all severely birth disabled children should be euthanized at birth (or before). I don't say that someone who refuses to use safety equipment, or make their kids use it, should be kept from any help. But, I do say that to get yours you can't take OURS.
1
What do you mean by a "Right"? Do you have a right to force doctors and nurses to do something for you? I think that right to force other people to work was something we settled with the civil war. My right to free speech and from unreasonable search and seizure doesn't take anything from you. However, your "right" to health care requires forcing people to work for you. Be very, very careful with what you call a "right".
1
I understand your points, but I don't agree that having a right to health care means "forcing people to work for you." Everyone who drives has to legally have car insurance. Even if you are a perfect driver, never had an accident, or even so much as a speeding ticket, you must still pay into the system. And if you find yourself unable to afford insurance going forward, it will lapse. The insurance company does not care that you have paid thousands of dollars per year in premiums for many years without ever having one claim. That is the entire basis of a risk pool. Everyone must participate, but not every will benefit. Of course bad drivers pay more and sometimes are unable to get insurance after too many accidents. But no good driver says "I'm going get myself into a car accident, just so I can finally use some of this insurance I've been paying into."
The problem is that by having Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to a mostly private capital driven health insurance system, we are both paying for our own health care and subsidizing others through premiums and taxes. Whereas if we had one system, not predicated on profits, paid for via tax contributions, we would all be much better off. Higher income earners would not feel they are being "forced" to work for others, and middle income and lower income would not be at the mercy of an predatory system that seems to care little for actually providing healthcare.
The problem is that by having Medicaid and Medicare, in addition to a mostly private capital driven health insurance system, we are both paying for our own health care and subsidizing others through premiums and taxes. Whereas if we had one system, not predicated on profits, paid for via tax contributions, we would all be much better off. Higher income earners would not feel they are being "forced" to work for others, and middle income and lower income would not be at the mercy of an predatory system that seems to care little for actually providing healthcare.
5
Alice, you are a champion. I wish you the very best, and please continue speaking out. I will think about you, often. And, work to get out the vote.
25
This world needs diversity of humankind in all our forms. Please understand that I am not advocating for a reproductive policy favoring eugenics when I ask whether it has it escaped the attention of Republican voters that the callous politicians who would deny Ms. Wong the services she needs to survive and thrive despite a severe genetic disease like SMA are the very same ideologues who would deny women the right to terminate a pregnancy when a fetus is known to be affected by such disorders? This is bitter, bitter irony.
29
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 15% of the 68 MILLION Medicaid recipients are disabled, representing 42% of the $400 BILLION in annual Medicaid expenditures. These are Fiscal Year 2011 numbers. By FY2015, Medicaid recipients were 72.8 MILLION expenditures exploded to $532 BILLION -- a 7.4% annual spending increase in 4 years.
As Ms. Wong notes, she was Medicaid eligible long before Obamacare existed. Undoubtedly, she will remain on Medicaid if Obamacare is repealed.
With 72.8 million Medicaid recipients, more than 20% of the population, anecdotal stories like Ms. Wong, or Jimmy Kimmel, about the merits of Medicaid are easy to find. But governing by anecdote allows virtually any position on any topic -- hardly a way to govern.
As Ms. Wong notes, she was Medicaid eligible long before Obamacare existed. Undoubtedly, she will remain on Medicaid if Obamacare is repealed.
With 72.8 million Medicaid recipients, more than 20% of the population, anecdotal stories like Ms. Wong, or Jimmy Kimmel, about the merits of Medicaid are easy to find. But governing by anecdote allows virtually any position on any topic -- hardly a way to govern.
7
"Disabled" - does that include those who pay taxes?
1
Often does Old Doc. Could be a young doctor who loses a leg in an accident & can't work for a few years while healing & rehabbing. He paid taxes before, might now, doing sedentary work (paper work) for other doctors for much less than his med school loans. Could have happened to you too. Get hurt, lose your job (not every doctor has a private practice, many of the best work for institutions), no insurance, no rehab, on the streets. Even happens to upper middle class people too with no family to help. But, with Medicaid, proper treatment, rehab, lots of hard work, that same young doctor can be back at work helping others, making money, paying taxes, paying student loans, etc.
But, people like you, say, worthless, shouldn't have 'let' himself be hurt. As if everything in life is a choice. Much of life is random. Except, getting old. The only way to never get old, is to die young. Maybe that should have been your choice? Or not. Maybe someone lived, because you were a doctor, even one with a death wish for anyone dumb enough to be born, or get disabled. That one person might down the road do something that saves your life. Maybe.
But, people like you, say, worthless, shouldn't have 'let' himself be hurt. As if everything in life is a choice. Much of life is random. Except, getting old. The only way to never get old, is to die young. Maybe that should have been your choice? Or not. Maybe someone lived, because you were a doctor, even one with a death wish for anyone dumb enough to be born, or get disabled. That one person might down the road do something that saves your life. Maybe.
13
Speaker of the House Paul Davis Ryan is the reigning Congressional selfish, corrupt, cruel, cowardly and hypocritical undeserving health care Welfare King.
All human beings become ill when and where and how they are supposed to. But in America health care is a business that defines the availability, the quality and costs of medical care. Birth and death define our mutual mortality.
All human beings become ill when and where and how they are supposed to. But in America health care is a business that defines the availability, the quality and costs of medical care. Birth and death define our mutual mortality.
14
But...but....Republicans don't want the government to help you achieve independence. They want your family to share the burden of your care your entire life by themselves. All while, of course, rejecting any proposal to require businesses to allow your family time off work to actually help you. Don't you see that if American women would quit work and stay home to take care of everyone else, these problems would be solved?
23
Yup, until 'those' women get hurt or ill. Then what. The country is too big for us to do it on a person to person basis now. So, we invented our government. It's a living entity. Growing, shrinking, doing more with less, doing less with more, finding those who need help, walking right passed them. Ever changing. For which we can have hope.
When we were all small towns, there was a person at the town hall who looked for, listened for, those who needed help & saw they got it, often without the government's help. Local companies would help. Other residents would help.
Then we got bigger, built poor houses or in the rural areas work farms. That helped people who were well enough, or young enough to work, but, not the ill, injured, or old. Their are still poor farms in this country. One in NH (I won't name the county), is willing to take everything you have, in money, property, medicare, SS. They will then take care of you for life. Meaning you get a bed & meals. If you leave, you don't get any of it back. Both good & bad there. Can't leave your wedding ring, which was gramma's, to your daughter, it gets sold. Can't leave a museum piece to a museum, it gets sold. Everything, or nothing. Good for those with nothing, not so good for those with something. Even a little. Program needs work. Seems people need work too. I care about the elderly. I'm getting there FAST. No one else will care, not for me. One brother 8 years older. I'll be alone. Scary.
When we were all small towns, there was a person at the town hall who looked for, listened for, those who needed help & saw they got it, often without the government's help. Local companies would help. Other residents would help.
Then we got bigger, built poor houses or in the rural areas work farms. That helped people who were well enough, or young enough to work, but, not the ill, injured, or old. Their are still poor farms in this country. One in NH (I won't name the county), is willing to take everything you have, in money, property, medicare, SS. They will then take care of you for life. Meaning you get a bed & meals. If you leave, you don't get any of it back. Both good & bad there. Can't leave your wedding ring, which was gramma's, to your daughter, it gets sold. Can't leave a museum piece to a museum, it gets sold. Everything, or nothing. Good for those with nothing, not so good for those with something. Even a little. Program needs work. Seems people need work too. I care about the elderly. I'm getting there FAST. No one else will care, not for me. One brother 8 years older. I'll be alone. Scary.
1
Unfortunately, there are many people with a very different story; their story is that "Back pain" is a free ticket. Back in Appalachia, where I grew up, Medicaid is one of the primary employers. It's free money; all you have to do is to hurt. Puff pieces like this don't address major, structural problems with the program.
For example, the author, from Indiana, is in a state that has 1/3 the Medicaid rate as West Virginia, and moved to California, with 1/30th of the rate of West Virginia. Clearly, there's a huge fraud being perpetrated.
For example, the author, from Indiana, is in a state that has 1/3 the Medicaid rate as West Virginia, and moved to California, with 1/30th of the rate of West Virginia. Clearly, there's a huge fraud being perpetrated.
15
Ah, the state you grew up in doesn't want to spend the money on the tests that will throw out many of those with no real problem. So they spend more giving those people money. I notice a problem there. Other states examine, test, periodically. Rules change due to research. I know because I have a mostly invisible disability. I never collected anything. See, it went from being not a disease, to a disease, but only temporary, & you have had it too long, to not a disease, to (after I hadn't been able to work for too long, so I no longer qualified anyway) a permanent disease. SS disability works the same way. So do handicapped placards,finally I have a permanent one. My husband worked, paid taxes, kept me fed. I didn't buy any new clothes for 20 years. Figured I didn't deserve them. I looked like a bum. I felt like one. Finally someone convinced my husband it wasn't good for his (lower middle class) job for me to look so bad. He made me get some new clothes. I still can't work, often can' sleep. Will not take any addicting medications, so live with moderate to severe pain. Would you rather I take opioids & cost you lots of your hard earned money as an addict? I won't do it, but, on dark nights I will think about it. You would if you stubbed a toe.
Now I am willing to fight. For me, others, for this country & all her people, not just the rich & skinflints. Most people need help at some point. Government does what neighborsused to do back when we were small. Too big for that now.
Now I am willing to fight. For me, others, for this country & all her people, not just the rich & skinflints. Most people need help at some point. Government does what neighborsused to do back when we were small. Too big for that now.
5
No doubt there is fraud in Medicaid by both patients and providers. It should definitely be prosecuted vigorously, but what does that have to do with the people for whom this program was designed to assist? I see people cheat on the freeway express ramp every day, but does that imply we should do away with freeways?
7
One possible way to address this problem (and I agree with you about the problem) would be to have some form of long-term unemployment insurance. For those who get laid off after 50, there often is little possibility of finding work that comes with health insurance or pays enough to buy it. Going on SSDI and and Medicaid may be the only way to keep a roof over one's head. Once that route is taken, fear of losing benefits and being unable to get them again means that many will never work again. It would be better if we acknowledged that unemployment can be a long-term problem and tackle that directly through retraining, income supports, and relocation assistance for those stuck in dead-end communities.
3
Thank you for sharing your story. Please send your story to Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama and Rep. Robert Pittenger of NC. These heartless ghouls, one of whom claimed that people who live right are not disabled, and the other of whom said that people who cannot get health insurance in their states should just move, need to hear actual real-life stories from real-live people with pre-existing conditions. These are the same people who call themselves pro-life but the only lives they care about are their own and those of zygotes.
31
Unfortunately that would be just the waste of a stamp.
5
The healthy take so much for granted each day liking to forget that this can change in an instant- and then what? Without safety nets it's ruination. Hopefully we will keep calling our politicians to remind them this is about life and death and not the bland-sounding "policy."
Ms. Wong, thank you for telling us your story. I'm pleased to read that you can make a living, get the help you need to remain independent, and participate in society. Handicapped people should not be automatically relegated to the edges of society, stuffed into institutions, or left to rot because they aren't able bodied or born rich enough to purchase all the assistance they require. And, while I agree with having people recertify their need for these sorts of services, I don't believe that these services should be held hostage to a political climate. Disabilities do not vanish merely because a politician decides they aren't real or worth offering assistance for.
I say this as the sister of an autistic brother whom I love dearly, who can make a living albeit a small one, and whom I worry for because if I predecease him, he will need some assistance due to the nature of his handicap. He's high functioning but he can be taken advantage of, lied about, or provoked (not easily) when people are extremely rude or cruel to him.
Good luck Ms. Wong. I hope you can continue to your contributions to society as proud American who happens to be handicapped and on Medicaid.
I say this as the sister of an autistic brother whom I love dearly, who can make a living albeit a small one, and whom I worry for because if I predecease him, he will need some assistance due to the nature of his handicap. He's high functioning but he can be taken advantage of, lied about, or provoked (not easily) when people are extremely rude or cruel to him.
Good luck Ms. Wong. I hope you can continue to your contributions to society as proud American who happens to be handicapped and on Medicaid.
39
Henry, all of us can be taken advantage of when lied about, or provoked (hopefully not easily, but, there are days), when people are mean, cruel &/or rude. It's called being human. Not disabled. Powerful people just seem to see it as worse if someone with any disability dares to be less than saintly.
Warning: To all powerful people. My disability has worn out all my saintliness. I will fight, urge others to join in that fight, & do my best to see that all who work to destroy those who are too poor, too old, too dark skinned, who's English is not good enough, who don't think the same, believe as you do, or bow to you receive everything you believe is yours. I will if I am able see you living in shelters, eating in soup kitchens, dressed in thrift store finds, hated by family & former friends, because you are less than they are by then. I hope & pray you all lose everything. Including your families. That they cross the street when they see you coming. Refuse you on holidays, call the police if you show up at your children's schools. Then just maybe you will understand. Though I doubt it. You will blame those around you. The 2 I hope this most for are *45 & Paul Ryan, the moocher. Another vacation Paul?
Warning: To all powerful people. My disability has worn out all my saintliness. I will fight, urge others to join in that fight, & do my best to see that all who work to destroy those who are too poor, too old, too dark skinned, who's English is not good enough, who don't think the same, believe as you do, or bow to you receive everything you believe is yours. I will if I am able see you living in shelters, eating in soup kitchens, dressed in thrift store finds, hated by family & former friends, because you are less than they are by then. I hope & pray you all lose everything. Including your families. That they cross the street when they see you coming. Refuse you on holidays, call the police if you show up at your children's schools. Then just maybe you will understand. Though I doubt it. You will blame those around you. The 2 I hope this most for are *45 & Paul Ryan, the moocher. Another vacation Paul?
3
Wolfie, it's easier to take advantage of someone who has cognitive disabilities than someone who is "normal". It's also easier to say horrible things about them and be believed because that person may not be able to defend him or herself.
I hear what you are saying. I refused and continue to refuse to participate in my small village's congratulatory stance on how tolerant it is towards handicapped people. My position is based on how they treated my brother over a cost free accommodation and years of stupid, petty remarks and actions directed towards him and me. My hope for the residents of my small village is that the most hypocritical of them wind up with a handicap that requires them to ask for help or an accommodation and that they are humiliated the same way they humiliated us for years. It's the only way some people understand things: to be treated as poorly as they treated others in the same situation.
I hear what you are saying. I refused and continue to refuse to participate in my small village's congratulatory stance on how tolerant it is towards handicapped people. My position is based on how they treated my brother over a cost free accommodation and years of stupid, petty remarks and actions directed towards him and me. My hope for the residents of my small village is that the most hypocritical of them wind up with a handicap that requires them to ask for help or an accommodation and that they are humiliated the same way they humiliated us for years. It's the only way some people understand things: to be treated as poorly as they treated others in the same situation.
4
Inspiring story and an inspiring life, which demonstrates the reality that the concepts of "freedom" and "choice" are just words the GOP use to confuse and misinform. No once chooses to be born disabled, just as no one chooses to be born poor, or of a particular race/ethnic group, or gender. And in a nation of laws and regulations that control so much of our everyday lives, no one can be truly free. We live in interdependent world, and independence is predicated on many factors. People who are healthy today, may want to be "free" from paying high health insurance premiums, but as soon as they get sick or injured, they want help, not freedom to bleed to death on the side walk because they dropped their insurance coverage.
I right federal court briefs for disability claims and pouring over the tragedies and agonies of individual lives over the past 5 years, has given me not only a high level of respect for what these people must endure living with disabilities, but also extreme gratitude for our families general health, and an understanding that any of us could easily find ourselves in need of medical care we cannot afford, but cannot live without.
I right federal court briefs for disability claims and pouring over the tragedies and agonies of individual lives over the past 5 years, has given me not only a high level of respect for what these people must endure living with disabilities, but also extreme gratitude for our families general health, and an understanding that any of us could easily find ourselves in need of medical care we cannot afford, but cannot live without.
23
"The reality of being a disabled person on Medicaid is far more complex and nuanced."
Of course it is, but today's Republicans - both voters and those they put in office - don't do "nuance" and aren't very good at dealing with complexity. They actually prefer caricature. That's why they've put someone in the White House (Well, mostly in Mar a Lago, just a taxpayer expense.) who might charitably be described as Sergeant Slaughter in a suit and tie.
For the uninitiated, Sergeant Slaughter was a professional wrestler, usually a good guy, who waved the flag and got the audience to yell "USA, USA" until blue in the face.
The latest Republican assault on the health care systems that help the author of this piece and so many others is shameful. Because the GOP controls all branches of the federal government and because Mr. Trump has so alienated the press, however, stories about this assault are more prominent. They need to be.
Of course it is, but today's Republicans - both voters and those they put in office - don't do "nuance" and aren't very good at dealing with complexity. They actually prefer caricature. That's why they've put someone in the White House (Well, mostly in Mar a Lago, just a taxpayer expense.) who might charitably be described as Sergeant Slaughter in a suit and tie.
For the uninitiated, Sergeant Slaughter was a professional wrestler, usually a good guy, who waved the flag and got the audience to yell "USA, USA" until blue in the face.
The latest Republican assault on the health care systems that help the author of this piece and so many others is shameful. Because the GOP controls all branches of the federal government and because Mr. Trump has so alienated the press, however, stories about this assault are more prominent. They need to be.
31
NYT, please place this column higher on the on-line Opinion page. Label it with a catchy byline that will get people to actually read it. And keep it front and center for more than a day.
156
You make your own luck in this life--I cannot disagree more with Alice. I was profoundly disabled as a small child and unable to attend regularly school after the age of 11. I dropped out of high school after 2 years because of the cost and was not going to be able to finish in a timely manner. Over time, and with no help from anyone I add, I was able to attend trade school, then law school and become a self-supporting member of society. All of which was completely unexpected. While Alice's experience are not unique, they do not represent the majority of persons with disabilities who work and have never availed themselves of public programs when they could have paid their own way. The fact that her parents could have paid for her expenses---yet shifted the cost onto the public---is unacceptable. If you can pay for something yourself, you are obligated to do so. Moreover, Alice's claim that having a home health care attendant made her "feel free" is not an adequate justification for having the public pay for this. If Alice were indigent and her parents could nto pay her way, then she could not exist without Medicaid. However, that isn't the case. I emphasize deeply with her medical issues. That said, no one in this life should shift the burden of paying their own way when they could do so.
12
Why must her parents pay for her care? You seem to expect them to care for her her whole life. I want to know why that burden was theirs the day she was born. What exactly did they do to deserve that?
Biology decides things we can't. We come into this world a certain way, outside our control. Things happen to us -- sometimes biological, sometimes external -- that we can't control. You might call that luck. It puts the lie to the idea that we make our own luck.
Many people believe we're responsible for ourselves and our families, and that the government has no role to play in our health and welfare. They seem not to realize that's only a belief. As policy, it's a choice. And for people of greater need and lesser means, it's a cruel choice.
Alice's life is better because of Medicaid. She isn't in an institution. Thanks to Medicaid, she pays taxes. More important, she has a sense of self-worth and agency.
How many pennies would you prefer to save on your tax bill to deny her that?
Biology decides things we can't. We come into this world a certain way, outside our control. Things happen to us -- sometimes biological, sometimes external -- that we can't control. You might call that luck. It puts the lie to the idea that we make our own luck.
Many people believe we're responsible for ourselves and our families, and that the government has no role to play in our health and welfare. They seem not to realize that's only a belief. As policy, it's a choice. And for people of greater need and lesser means, it's a cruel choice.
Alice's life is better because of Medicaid. She isn't in an institution. Thanks to Medicaid, she pays taxes. More important, she has a sense of self-worth and agency.
How many pennies would you prefer to save on your tax bill to deny her that?
46
You "make your own luck" until you are prevented from being. Able to function as a non-disabled person. Shameful that you, as a disabled person yourself, choose to judge her- as you well know, there is a very wide range of disabilities and you have no right to shame someone for accepting services that assist others, citing your choice not to. Has the ADA helped you? And as an 18-year old adult, why should her parents be obligated to pay for her adulthood issues? Kudos to this strong woman who is congributinggronsociwty despite her medical challenges.
21
You seem to have no concept of what it means to be a society. How do you know what the situation really was when you say her family "could" have paid? The author writes: "I learned that my parents paid exorbitant monthly premiums for my health care. ... I had no idea of the financial pressure placed on our family for basic health insurance because of my disability."
To what level of poverty must a family sink in order to meet your criterion for tax-supported assistance?
To what level of poverty must a family sink in order to meet your criterion for tax-supported assistance?
I wish you hadn't felt the need to identify as Asian American, child of immigrants. Your story applies to all of us. A Mayflower descendant could be in your situation. It is a national disgrace. I wish you good luck with your health and life and hope in our lifetimes we see single payer for all.
25
Markle, I'm a Mayflower descendant, who has been disable since birth and at the age of 42 became too disable to work. Medicaid is my lifeline and without it,I'm sure I would have taken my own life by now. I look perfectly healthy, but with both Fibromyalgia and Chronic depression along with the dyslexia and Language Processing disorder I was born with, no one will hire me and I can't create my art jewelry, when depression becomes too much to handle.
I was doing better for awhile and busy making art jewelry, when we sold my parents house and for awhile I went off both SSI and Medicaid. When my share of the profits was gone, I went back to Social Security Administration and was told "Poor people aren't suppose to have money to spend" and that I spent my inheritance too fast. What I did was to buy some jewelry equipment, that I couldn't afford before, in hope of becoming self sufficient, instead the Soc. Sec. Worker sent me back into severe depression. Since then I haven't been able to make jewelry and don't know when I will be well enough to try. Now my SSI payments will start again next month and the ACA made sure I didn't go without my medications and doctor visits, but next month I may be homeless, unless I can find an apartment that will accept me quickly.
In America, none of us are safe from suddenly needing government help.
I was doing better for awhile and busy making art jewelry, when we sold my parents house and for awhile I went off both SSI and Medicaid. When my share of the profits was gone, I went back to Social Security Administration and was told "Poor people aren't suppose to have money to spend" and that I spent my inheritance too fast. What I did was to buy some jewelry equipment, that I couldn't afford before, in hope of becoming self sufficient, instead the Soc. Sec. Worker sent me back into severe depression. Since then I haven't been able to make jewelry and don't know when I will be well enough to try. Now my SSI payments will start again next month and the ACA made sure I didn't go without my medications and doctor visits, but next month I may be homeless, unless I can find an apartment that will accept me quickly.
In America, none of us are safe from suddenly needing government help.
3
As a profoundly disabled person, I have mixed feelings about this article. Yes it is true that most Americans cannot differentiate between Medicaid and Medicare. Yes, it is true that persons with disabilities (PWD) often cannot exist without societal supports such as Medicaid. However it is also true that the largest public expenditure is entitlement spending such as Medicaid and Medicare. While I am in favor of leaving Medicaid alone, because Americans are growing so much older and can work longer than the 62 years envisioned when social security was first promulgated, Medicare (for the elderly) has to be made more stringent. Otherwise, the system will be swamped by the influx of new young retirees who claim these benefits for decades.
7
We certainly can't have people who have paid for Medicare benefits their entire working lives thinking they can actually "claim benefits" when they retire.
50
Medicare could save millions simply by Congress allowing it to negotiate with Big Pharm. Or don't you think it's odd that one of the biggest lobbyist groups has been allowed by the GOP to continue its protected pricing, where drugs that cost very little globally (under single payer systems) go for extortionist prices in the U.S.
I'd even use the word 'criminal', maybe.....!
I'd even use the word 'criminal', maybe.....!
68
I wonder why every other industrialized nation on earth can afford health care for all its citizens -- but the richest nation the world has ever known cannot. But oh we can afford a bloated military -- and nobody complains that we spend more than the next 10 nations combined. And we can afford tax breaks for corporations who already pay the lowest rate in decades.
And BTW, not everyone is living longer. While the life span of those who live in nations that provide health care for all is indeed increasing. The life span for Americans is decreasing. Wait till you get to be 62 -- and see how many of your friends have already passed.
And BTW, not everyone is living longer. While the life span of those who live in nations that provide health care for all is indeed increasing. The life span for Americans is decreasing. Wait till you get to be 62 -- and see how many of your friends have already passed.
32
This is the reality of Medicaid. People such as Alice, and so many elderly and disabled who live in nursing homes and receive home care services, are simply discounted by the GOP and Trump, who say they're "takers" and shouldn't have services, and shouldn't be such a burden on the "system." What happens, for example, to the hundreds of thousands of nursing home residents, when Medicaid is slashed? In most states, Medicaid pays for the care for 70-80 percent of nursing home residents. Most states have, as Alice indicates, slashed the hours of home care for Medicaid recipients.
Some people are eligible for BOTH Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligibles). Those in nursing homes receive assistance for their prescriptions only, but not for their residential care, unless they have been admitted from the hospital. Then they get 28 days of residential care paid. Residential care is extremely expensive and can be more than $300 per DAY in many places. So tell me, GOP, are you planning to slash Medicaid to the point that nursing homes will have to discharge their residents? Because if you do, that puts the homes in a quandary: They're not allowed to discharge their residents to unsafe environments.
Not everyone is one of Ronald Reagan's "welfare queens." That myth is, indeed, a myth. Most Medicaid recipients are working poor. GOP representatives should try living on minimum wage for one week and then we should talk.
Some people are eligible for BOTH Medicare and Medicaid (dual-eligibles). Those in nursing homes receive assistance for their prescriptions only, but not for their residential care, unless they have been admitted from the hospital. Then they get 28 days of residential care paid. Residential care is extremely expensive and can be more than $300 per DAY in many places. So tell me, GOP, are you planning to slash Medicaid to the point that nursing homes will have to discharge their residents? Because if you do, that puts the homes in a quandary: They're not allowed to discharge their residents to unsafe environments.
Not everyone is one of Ronald Reagan's "welfare queens." That myth is, indeed, a myth. Most Medicaid recipients are working poor. GOP representatives should try living on minimum wage for one week and then we should talk.
128
The politicians pushing for these cuts fail to acknowledge what is obvious to many - that a certain number of people are going to succumb to devastating diseases through no fault of their own, such as the author of this article.
The same is true of accidents. I witnessed a head own collision in which the innocent party was left disabled for life due to his injuries. Had the truck not hit him, it would have hit the car behind him.
And of course babies, such as Jimmy Kimmel's, have done nothing to bring misfortune on themselves either.
It can happen to any of us and does happen to some of us but, unless it happens to a member of their own household, politicians are comfortable ignoring this.
The same is true of accidents. I witnessed a head own collision in which the innocent party was left disabled for life due to his injuries. Had the truck not hit him, it would have hit the car behind him.
And of course babies, such as Jimmy Kimmel's, have done nothing to bring misfortune on themselves either.
It can happen to any of us and does happen to some of us but, unless it happens to a member of their own household, politicians are comfortable ignoring this.
105
Thank you for writing this. I struggle every day with the invisible after-effects of a massive stroke. I am also upper-middle class, Asian-American and the daughter of immigrants. I filed for disability feeling unworthy of government aid. It's ego-wounding when you believe you are fully capable of doing things, but you can't anymore due to financial constraints. Navigating disability law is stressful and disheartening. People sit in judgment of you, not knowing how hard the struggle is financially as well as mentally and physically draining. By the way, I also come from an "affluent" Indianapolis town so I get it.
113
Thank you, Alice. Through volunteer work at a service dog organization, I have met so many people like you. It is amazing to see what "disabled" people achieve in their community, not because they are challenged, but because they
have incredible strength and understanding. Medicaid is necessary to protect anyone who needs assistance to become a functioning member of our society.
have incredible strength and understanding. Medicaid is necessary to protect anyone who needs assistance to become a functioning member of our society.
59
How could any member of congress read this column and not wilt at the thought of repeal? Repair for humanity's sake.
79
Paul Ryan and Donald Trump don't care about Alice Wong or her disability, other than in the abstract as pertains to their achieving other political goals.
Ryan and Trump care about one thing and one thing only, which is a continued upward transfer of wealth. The sooner Trump voters understand this, the sooner our Beloved Republic can return to progressive public policy.
Ryan and Trump care about one thing and one thing only, which is a continued upward transfer of wealth. The sooner Trump voters understand this, the sooner our Beloved Republic can return to progressive public policy.
170
What an important and timely column. Most people don't know how critical Medicaid is for people with disabilities. My son, who has Down Syndrome and autism, is also covered by Medicaid. He recently moved to a group home, the cost of which is partially covered by Medicaid, the rest coming from the state of NJ. Notably ALL programs in NJ for adults with disabilities require that the participant be covered by Medicaid and receive SSI. Block grants to states, currently under discussion in DC, could endanger all of these programs both for the physically and cognitively disabled whether they are living independently with supports or with full care. Talk to your congressman today!
112
As always, where one sits is where one stands. Everyone is an advocate for themselves because the method in this country has been the family, not the state, is the caregiver/caretaker of last resort. This worked just fine before the fracturing of the extended family - a cultural and economic regression engineered by the secular, atheist elite to tether more and more of the population to the all-powerful state. The left once understood that more government means more control, less liberty and less happiness. No longer. The right once understood that laissez-faire in personal and familial matters was the essence of freedom of choices. No longer. We are beset by the forces of amalgamation, coercion and control. Their lords and acolytes wear different uniforms, speak different languages and claim differentiation from one another. Fake news. They are merely separate heads of the same hydra, and the rest of us are their prey. Snooze away complacent countrymen while your children's futures are hijacked.
5
QuackWatch: Does this have anything do to with the column here? How would laissez faire in personal and familial matters result in anything but death for this brave woman?
16
The fracturing of the American family has a lot to do with the economics. People have to move away from family for jobs. Many people do not have family. Communities ALWAYS provided for the sick and disabled, the poor, the widow with children. But now, suddenly it is just too much of a burden to provide for the weakest among us. But bombs? Oh we all want more bombs! And that has nothing to do with state control, right?
14
Perfect portrait of the difference made by Medicaid in a disabled woman's life!
28
Military might and foreign policies may determine the face we show to the world, but how wealth is generated and shared among all our people defines who and what we are as a people. The ongoing executive and legislative initiatives portray a small, ignorant, careless and selfish nature within America that is impossible to feel proud of. Our identity as a nation is being ravaged by the efforts of our leaders to reduce healthcare accessibility, pollute our air and water, and further advance the fortunes of the wealthy on the backs of those already bearing the heaviest burdens. Resistance activism says, "small ignorant, careless and selfish is not who I am-- is not who we are."
56
Anyone standing by and applauding the GOP's war on the sick and disabled better think twice. He has appointed people like Price who also want to destroy Medicare and Social Security.
If you think that won't be attempted, think again.
If you think that won't be attempted, think again.
69
God bless you, Alice!
17
There but for the grace of God go the rest of us.
124
Dear Democrat:
I wince for the author reading this comment. Alice, then, is not part of God's grace? She is not made in God's image?
I wince for the author reading this comment. Alice, then, is not part of God's grace? She is not made in God's image?
2
Tootie, You misunderstand the phrase.
15
Wow, you really got Democrat's post backwards. Try again, please. Democrat is saying EMPATHIZE, not criticize!
16
The GOP view is if you die you die Brooks laid it out,
if you are sick or disabled you did not 'Live right'
If Trumpcare passes. States can decide on case by case
basis who lives an dhow dies. the dealth panels are there
hiding in plain sight.
Props to Jimmy Kimmel
if you are sick or disabled you did not 'Live right'
If Trumpcare passes. States can decide on case by case
basis who lives an dhow dies. the dealth panels are there
hiding in plain sight.
Props to Jimmy Kimmel
31
The line has to be drawn somewhere, we all have to agree that the funds for every government program have limitations regardless of the merit of those programs.
We cannot bleed out money with no thought as to reasonable budgetary constraints
We cannot bleed out money with no thought as to reasonable budgetary constraints
8
Might want to look at all those programs for the military instead of programs that actually improve lives
10
Crossing Overhead: I conducted over 2000 disability evaluations in a southern state where people believed as you do. Many judges felt that way to, and were occasionally even overheard to say things like, "I don't care if she dies if she doesn't get the money. We have to draw the line somewhere."
Have you heard of Herbert Spencer? He is the philosophic godfather of many libertarians who appear to think the way you do. In the 1800s, he was asked, what if the poor can't afford to get health care or food? "let them die in the streets," he said.
Is that making America great?
Have you heard of Herbert Spencer? He is the philosophic godfather of many libertarians who appear to think the way you do. In the 1800s, he was asked, what if the poor can't afford to get health care or food? "let them die in the streets," he said.
Is that making America great?
30
Part of her point is that Medicaid saves the government money, in that it keeps her out of a far more expense be nursing home and allows her to work and volunteer and otherwise contribute to society.
28
I wish that the republicans in congress were even willing to open their eyes and listen to your history of illness, disability and the despair of uncertainty. I wish they had one ounce of empathy that would open their hearts and minds to the suffering of millions of Americans who not by their own choosing are in jeopardy of unaffordable healthcare costs and possibly bankruptcy if they gut the protections under the Affordable Care Act. I wish that instead of destroying lives they could see past their selfishness and pocket books to have the humility to rethink this horrible path that they are on. We must fight and work to elect representatives that are willing to improve not destroy America.
120
How about actively shaming politicians who choose tax cuts for the wealthy over medical care for the poor? We could start with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, whose unseemly enthusiasm for repealing the ACA is nauseating.
7