Guaranteed Healthcare

Dear Readers: Like many people struggling to survive in an ever increasing "high cost" world I had to make some tough choices, and while my choices might not have been the best ones I feel at the time they were the right ones for me to make.

Here is my story: I became a full time teacher's assistant for the school district, which enabled me to have comprehensive with dental and vision thrown in for good measure. All was fine up to that point, but when it came to adding my two minor children, my participation premium jumped by $245.00 a month. Clearly on less than $1,200.00 a month it meant taking on any additional work to make ends meet. I could not afford to cover my wife for an additional $110.00 and the few times I used the coverage, I had to pay $20.00 dollars at the time of visit. Sometimes I did not have the 20 bucks so I skipped some visits. Surprise! the insurance did not cover lab tests, so I was faced with paying those too.

Finally, I could no longer afford to pay the insurance, plus rent and food, so I spent less and less on food and asked family for loans whenever my car broke down or I needed extra cash (the economy was getting tough so extra jobs were scarce). My wife helped out by waitressing and she paid the phone and part of the rent. So much for me being a good provider, eh?

I wonder if all taxpayers got together and demanded the same tax funded coverage our leaders get maybe we could afford a better life! Since I had to move due to increasing rents, I lost my school job. I now work for myself doing odd jobs here and there but there is no insurance that I can afford. Luckily my children are adults now and my wife and I are relatively healthy.

Thanks
Ernest