This is a space free of politics and policy, for the most part.This post is personal and it is about policy, and probably politics. It is slightly woe is me, so if you aren't into that, don't read on. I just can't move forward in this blog without admitting that my life isn't all yarn and hooks and cupcakes, this is one of those times.
After our health insurance costs doubled per month this year, I started to get nervous. We were barely making it before the increase, so surely after would be no easier.
The reserve is gone, the side jobs no longer exist, and the paycheck is smaller. How did my parents feed, clothe and shelter a family of five on one paycheck?
So, I do what I do best, look on line for help. My state has a great child insurance program which is based on income. It covers children for minimal amounts per month with no co pays. I made a call and spoke to a very friendly lady. Told her that our kids have insurance, but we can't afford it. I gave some specifics and she happily told me that we were eligible to add the kids, therefore dropping our monthly insurance costs by over $200.
I checked with my current carriers and can drop the kids when I get them covered by the state insurance program for kids. Perfect.
Today, I called the state health department with a couple questions about the application, when the bomb dropped. Our application won't be processed without a Termination of Insurance letter from our current carrier.
Here is my catch: I can't terminate existing insurance without new policy. Can't get new policy without termination letter from existing insurance.
The truly upsetting part of this call was that I was told that I am not the only one this happens to. Other people, just like us. Trying to make it all work and digging through a pile only to find the pile has grown with each dig. Even if I could terminate with my current insurance, the kids would be uncovered for at least a month. Then, what if the application is denied? Screwed.
I even thought about the 30 day hiatus for the boys, maybe we could swing it if I get their annual appointments before all this goes down. And then...Sam got hurt today. Not bad, but enough to slap me back to reality and eliminating the hiatus option.
Here is where the politics comes in. I am going to write. Write letters to my representatives and congressmen. Those people I vote for, but don't really know what they do.
They are going to know how this feels, why it is a poor policy and how they can fix it, because if I don't fight, no one is going to do it for me.
And Sam, he is doing okay. The bump is getting smaller and much more colorful.
