What;s Wrong with This Picture?

I have a story to tell you - about healthcare in the United States. I have not had healthcare insurance since 2002 but was seeing my physician as a "self-pay" for a chronic condition called fibromyalgia. My doctor and I have worked for years to get just the right medications and dosages to make me a functional human being.

Last month my doctor was promoted to a teaching position at the location medical school and closed his practice. He was with a number of doctors and wrote a letter saying that I could continue to see someone at that practice.

This week I needed refills for my medications, one of which you do not quit "cold-turkey". Well, no one at the practice would refill my prescriptions until I saw one of the other physicians. But I could not see one of the other physicians because I did not have insurance as they no longer take "self-pay". They suggested several clinics that would take me on a sliding fee scale. But, my son who has a good job, lives with me and so our household income does not qualify me for any sliding fee scale.

So, I have no medication and my fibromyalgia is back big time but I can't get in to see any doctor because I have no insurance, no job, but my household income is too much. . So what do I do - this is the state of our healthcare system in the richest country in the world.

This is so wrong - and is one of just many reasons that we should have universal healthcare but I am sure that our government will put enough rules and restrictions on it, that people like me will fall through whatever cracks that system will have in it.

So, let's review - I am a 59 year old, white female with no job, no healthcare insurance, no car insurance, no savings, no retirement, overdrawn at my bank, behind on all my bills. I am writing articles for a gentleman in Sweden, who build's websites, for $3 an article. I can write an excellent article which takes 3 hours to write but I only get $3 an article. I turn 60 next month - and the older I get the prospect for a good job, get less the older I get. And I live in the richest country on earth.

What's wrong with this picture!