The politics of disability

[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.

[capt_buzzard]

That's the same in Ireland. I know people who have worked hard all their lives and paid their taxes and whatever else the government took off them. Some of these guy's now have to fork out their life savings on mdical bills.

[gmc]

You still wonder why we view the NHS as so important? For all its failing someone in that position does not have to worry about medical bills.

[capt_buzzard]

Not for very long. Like the Irish NHS,yours will change too

[plazul]

Originally Posted by gmc

You still wonder why we view the NHS as so important? For all its failing someone in that position does not have to worry about medical bills.

Many Americans envy you but the Republicans say it's the first step to state socialism. What bilge.

[gmc]

Not for very long. Like the Irish NHS,yours will change too

So why did you all vote for it? Governments only do what their people let them away with, at least in a democracy that is the theory. Don't be so sure about that TB has to get relected and the only reason he is likely to is that the Tories are just as bad.

Change yes, as it has done over the years but if you think we would vote fpr a privatised health system i think you mistake the attitude of the British people. Most people here think it obscene that someone should be denied medical treatment somply because they are not rich. If someone wants to go privately they can but there is an innate sense of fair play, most think it unfair that you should be able to jump the queue just because you have more money. That's why PMI has never really taken off in this country its not the cost people think it unfair. Apart from that you are safer in an NHS hospital than you are going privately. At least you know the doctors are properly qualified and you will get proper care if things go wrong.

The NHS was not imposed on us by a socialist government it was something a socialist government was elected to put in place.

Post ww2 things were in the balance until the votes came in from the troops still abroad who were overwhelmingly in favour, they did not spend six years at war to came back to the same social situation they had before the war and they wanted change and for things to be better.

I think some american politicians use the S word to because they know it has such a pejorative impact that people stop thinking about what is being said. American commentators talk about our social welfare system as if it was something that we didn't choose to have but had foisted on us. Not so, its what the government should spend our taxes on. If it can't take care of the people then sod off.

[Peg]

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.

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.

[plazul]

Well, to borrow a phrase, if it wasn't for bad luck he wouldn't have any luck at all.

Thanks for the kind thought. I really, really, feel for this guy.

[Peg]

You have an update for us yet?

[jackie]

What a sad story. Our country has been hijacked!

I just went through this disability crap. My lawyer did tell me that on the first try 90% of the applications are turned down in hopes that the people trying to get aid will go away. But you would think that someone with actual medical records indicating a medical problem would get through.

I thought our country was supposed to help those who need it?? I understand how careful they need to be at SSD because of all the people trying to take advantage of the system but cancer victims should be automatically approved.

Jackie