Another story and a “reply”
I sent more e-mails to Rep. Heath Shuler and Sen. Kay Hagan and got this in reply from the senator:
“Dear Friend,
I wanted to take a moment to thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts and opinions. Since taking office, I have received an overwhelming number of calls and emails from North Carolinians like you who are ready to take an active part in our government. I appreciate each and every call and email …”
Blah, blah, blah.
Sorry if I seem disrespectful, but I have a lot of copies of that e-mail.
As for the story, I spoke to a small-business owner today. I stopped in because he had a hand-written sign on his door promoting health care reform.
I asked him whether he was afraid of losing business because of the sign and he said he really didn’t care if people who are against reform don’t want to do business with him.
This man wound up paying full price for his colonoscopy because it was done in an out-of-network facility, even though the doctor was in network. This in addition to his $1,100-per-month premium paid to Blue Cross-Blue Shield of North Carolina.
He was so angry that he cancelled his insurance, and when he and his wife went looking for another policy, they discovered the best “deal” they could get was $2,000 a month because she had been treated for depression several years ago.
He recently paid $2,000 out-of-pocket for more screening tests. That’s one month’s premium to a fat-cat insurance company.
I’m so glad he doesn’t care to do business with people who won’t support access to quality health care for all Americans. I’ll do business with him as soon as I have an income again.
Tags: Patient Pals & Family Friends
Life o' Mike has a new peer support program for people newly diagnosed with chronic or serious illness or with a new disability and their caregivers.
Patient Pals are people who have experience with various illnesses and disabilities, who can help someone newly diagnosed or with a new disability work through the fear, frustration, confusion and grief often experienced in the first few months.
Family Friends are there to help caregivers and other family members grow into their new role.
People with new illness or disability fare better when they have a role model -- someone who can help them negotiate their new path in life.
We need volunteers, who are asked to donate a minimum of one hour a week. Training is free and includes information on active listening, ways to help and when to know more help is needed.
And of course, we need funding.
To learn more, call Leslie Boyd at 828-243-6712 or e-mail lifeomike@gmail.com.
That is probably the same letter that Lena & Ryan got in response to the postcards they sent to Schuler. I’m working on a petition of family and friends to fax to Shuler and Hagan. That way we only have to send 2 faxes, but we have all weighed in.