Hiromi_X

H - you can get continue your insurance with your employer under COBRA, right? It's probably expensive, but at least you'll be covered while you look for a better deal.

I agree, it sucks that decent individual insurance is neither affordable nor comprehensive.

In my industry (graphic arts) some professional organizations offer group plans to their members that you can join.

Hang in there . . .

For what it's worth, when I was between Grad school and full-time work, and then again when I was freelancing, I used a particular short-term program that is affiliated with most university alumni associations, which is pretty affordable. It's not as good coverage as full-time employer insurance, but it's reasonable and affordable and will ensure that at least if you're in an accident or whatever that you'll be covered. (It also covers basic medical expenses, but there is a deductible--not anywhere near $5,000, though). I don't recall what their PEC policy is, but you could always call and find out. If you're interested, lemme know over email and I'll send you the link.

What I've never understood is how health care is *not* in the government's interest. It means the working class is going to be more available to work, because they'll go to a doctor when they're sick, instead of pretending that's not turning into gangrene or whatever. It's bound to cut down on law suits, because the resentment of elitism in the system would be cut down/out, and when people can see the direct benefit of their taxation, it's harder to be pissy about it. Also, frankly, Americans are bound to have a bit of a complex about this issue, because it is considered such a fundamental aspect of human life in so many places. I kind of wish Americans would, you know... riot about this.

However, please don't underestimate the transferability of your skill set. A sharp employers will recognize the applicability of concept: If she can do X, than she can probably do Y very well. I don't even know what you do, and I can cheerfully tell you that someone else in the word will gladly hire you to do something for them.

I'll be in the same boat later this year, and it sucks balls. I hope in your intermittent period you stay healthy.

Never really understood the whole private healthcare thing you guys have over there in the states. I agree with Holly, Healthcare should be provided by the government.

What is really scary is that here in the UK they are slowly trying to introduce a US style healthcare thingy. Drip by drip so that Mr Joe public doesnt realise what the fuck's going on.

The cause is that people simply bitch and moan to high bollocks about the NHS. Absolute fuckwits IMO who dont know what it is that they have till the lose it.

Rant Over. Hope it works out ok for you. If that fails, fuck it. Just come and live in the UK. Healthcare is free and you dont have to do your own tax returns (unless you're self-employed).

Dude, I just had to decide between paying my carpayment and car insurance, or my health insurance. I live 30 miles from work, so it wasn't much of a choice.

My therapist has been great about giving me samples of most of my meds, but I'm really recovering from a MAJOR depression here: I need some therapeutic whatever. Skills and shit.

I've already noticed an impact on my performance at work, thus completing the kind of cicle that begins a downward spiral. (Did that make sense ? I meant, job doesn't pay enough for me to afford health insurance and car; need car to get to work, so give up health insurance; no health insurance means no treatment for my condition, means diminished performance at work.)

It sucks, yo. Good luck with your search.

It is a freakin' crime that this country hasn't already implemented a universal healthcare program. Let's just hope we get a Democrat in the White House. I've worked in healthcare for 21 years and I've seen many times people making decisions not to have treatment because of no insurance and not being able to afford it themselves. Good luck to ya, Hiromi - I hope you stay healthy until you're able to find insurance.

I decided to chance it after the first of the year once my post-graduation bridge policy ran out... and ended up in Seton Northwest with an abscess behind my tonsil.... $7350 and counting (all the bills may not have arrived yet). I really hope the government steps in and fixes this. Being without health insurance for the first time, you're treated differently, you have this obvious class marker all of a sudden, you're fucked, you know and they know it. The insurance offered by my contractor agency is laughable.

As a very long time reader of HiromiX, and before that P3, I have finally found a topic that beckons me to break my radio silence and comment. There have been so many posts that have given me the urge to pontificate, but I preferred to lurk instead of interact.

Our US 'healthcare' is an issue which makes my blood boil on many fronts. My experience as a self employed person in NYC has led to years of bank-breaking insurance fees (and I don't even ever go to the doc). However, I recently found a quasi-solution.

With no pre-existing conditions, my health insurance through typical providers seemed to endlessly escalate in cost every year (to an average tune of 22%/year). When my monthly premium (for a single 'healthy' adult) crossed the $900/month mark, I flipped out and wrote a reactionary, hot-head letter to the governor of NY ....something I always think about doing, but never execute on.

Anyhow, I did write the letter and was greeted with a fairly unsympathetic nonsense reply....except for a referral to a new healthcare option available to the self employed.

So, since we are all drops of water AND the river itself, I want to share the info that was given to me with the river.
The governor's office referred me to AAESEP, the American Association of Employees and Self-Employed Persons. AAESEP offers a group insurance plan to all self-employed people registered with them. Registration is simple and has no requisites save paying a $25/year fee. Once one joins they are entitled to the plan which for me is ~$350/month. The plan is QPOS plan with drug card and low deductible (~$800 I think). I know you are not technically self employed, but I think you could argue that based on this blog (as a writer), or even looser criteria (I don't recall any checking up to verify my self employment).
I am not sure if this plan is available in fucken texas, but wanted you to be aware of it. I will include the URL and phone number here (your option whether or not to leave it in this post):
http://www.aaesep.org/
800-353-5220

I hope this is helpful to you. And, it is up to you whether or not you post this for others to see.

Off the topic of health insurance, I want to tell you that you have a beautiful mind and the writer's skill to illustrate your thoughts and take us readers along for the scenic ride. I truly enjoy your blog and all of the different topics and commentary you stimulate us all with. Please keep writing, and keep on your journey.

Best of luck and health to you!
- A truly grateful reader