I work for a Community Health Center where I screen patients and Clients to see whether they qualify for state insurance or other federally/state funded programs. I have been doing this for 3 years now and there are days where I am so disgusted by the way our government system is set up. It might just be Connecticut, but somehow I feel that this is an issue that affects other parts of the United States. There are many children and families that suffer from not being able to afford healthcare. Here in Connecticut, we have HUSKY for children and families that qualify within the family poverty level guidelines, which is fine, but then there is a large amount of single people who just don't qualify for our state's medicaid because of the amount of income that they make from wages, unemployment, or even Social Security.
This is a huge topic that can go on and on, so I'm going to pick on the adolescent and young adult population. the way the world is today, there's such a disconnect between teens and their parents that many of them don't even live at home anymore, so what happens to their healthcare? what happens to their future? if their parents are not helping them out with their necessities. I know that it's many of their choices to leave the house and go off on their own, but there just isn't enough programs out there for the teens to turn to give them advice, or even just a safe haven for them to turn to when they do decide to leave their homes sooner than they should. Some of them leave because of abuse, and some leave because of just plain poor judgement. Where am I leading with this? well, for the female teens, majority of the female teens that I have come to see is that they've gone through pregnancy to support themselves because that was the only way that they could get affordable healthcare and be able to afford half-way decent groceries. I will honestly say that I have had a couple female clients that would come in to see me to re-certify their insurance because they were pregnant a year after delivering their last baby. they wouldn't have been able to remain on state insurance because their income would then be over income for state insurance so they get pregnant again. There are not enough programs out there to educate the teens that they result to putting themselves through the same things that their parents or their peers go through.
i have much more to say about this issue and the issues that are in connected to this, so if there are any of you who would like to jump in, please do so....
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It's not just Connecticut. My family can't afford insurance, my dad has it through work, but he doesn't really have a choice, he has to go to the doctor every week or so because of his back. As an 18 year-old, I know that before long I'm going to be thrown head first into the governmental systems. And no, I'm not going to get pregnant to get help, but something has to give. There are so many pet projects that could be cut and the money could help those in need. There really are so many viable options, and it sickens me that our government doesn't explore them. Sorry, I'm a little biased after watching Sicko, but still, after living an insurance free life I know how much it sucks to get sick or need medication, you feel so guilty because it costs so much, and those aren't things that should be a worry to a young adult or teen.
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Do you find it odd that you are not as strong as you once thought?
I'm sure that it's not just Connecticut and I might just be finding yet another reason for disliking this communist state. LOL. all kidding aside though, it's one thing to have the system to help those that need it. but it's another thing to abuse it. there are soup kitchens and homeless shelters and different programs which were intended to help people who really need them. then you have all these people who are able to work, but they see that working doesn't get you far. . . especially when they know that the state will give them food stamps, cash assistance, and medical assistance and even Section 8 if you're just a lazy bum on the streets pretending that you're helpless when in actuality, not only are they cheating the system, but they're selling drugs to maintain their necessities. what kills me is that they are the same people that say that they can't afford to pay for the medications and yet they're pulling up in a mercedes or in an Audi.... I work a full 40 hour /week job and yet even I don't drive something that luxurious. but because the standards of the government, the screening process makes the system easy to blind side what's really happening.
I have seen Sicko also and i already had issues with the way the healthcare system operates, but after seeing Sicko, my blood pressure must have gone through the roof. I think that Michael Moore is a great person for bringing this out for the world to see. it's just sad that there are many people who still refuse to see what he puts out there.
all in all, each day I am realizing more and more that society and politics in general allows these things to happen. society allows poverty, allows crime, and allows people to scam the system.
you asked if i found it odd that i was not as strong as i once thought...?? I don't find anything odd, I realize that there are times where it is necessary to build yourself up to be a strong person, however, one will never know or be prepared because life throws us curve balls and it takes us a bit to rebuild that strength. strength lies within faith in yourself and a higher being. as long as i know where my faith is, i will always remain strong.