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Originally Posted by plazul
I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma. He lost his long time job which provided health coverage some time ago his current medical bills exceed $100,000 and will probably double in a short period of time.
He didn't have much before his illness and now he must give up his modest house, his meager savings, and anything else of value in order to qualify for public assistance. Remarkably, he's been rejected for Social Security Disability and has had to seek legal assistance in order to appeal.
This is a guy who's so weak and nauseated after chemo therapy he can't get out of bed. How sick and poor do you have to be before the government will step in to help you? My friend spent his whole career in a low paying job (he has an MA) providing art education to children in our community, assisting local artists, and bringing quality art exhibits to the general public. Now he is contemplating suicide.
Stories like this are common in America. Compassionate conservatives think the answer is medical savings accounts but what is that going to do for people who lose their jobs due to catastrophic illness? I don't think the system should support people of substantial means but hard working people who have played by the rules and contributed to society should not have to lose everything they've worked for because of an unfortunate twist of fate.
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Unfortunately, that is typical for the US. Sad, but true.
As far as being turned down for disability, they always, or almost always, turn people down on their first try. I really wish this person good luck.