****
A Word from ’57 and Female’ (comment here)
I am going to be 64 years old in a few months and being self-employed for the last 33 years I have never had one of my medications covered by insurance. Never. Just to stay minimally healthy, my asthma, blood pressure meds and a few others are around $600/month.
We had awful insurance that never covered my asthma until there was no insurance at all for the last decade. I lived in constant fear.
I chose a Gold plan – for my last year and half until Medicare I wanted maximum flexibility and a low deductible: $500 and $3,500 out-of-pocket cap with a large network. I chose a co-op plan. These plans, with no profit incentive, were supposed to be a bridge to something akin to a public option. In the 2012 budget fight, the Republicans won the elimination of these plans from ACA but anyone who had a grant before then was grandfathered in. IL was able to establish an insurance plan/company that will run on overhead similar to Medicare and we all ‘own’ the company.
My premium, after some subsidy, is $558/month. Your age can still be a factor in premium cost, but with a cap. I do have co-pays on my medications – it will be about $140/month. But I’m still only out a little more for truly comprehensive health care than what I was paying retail for my meds before ACA.
To walk up to the CVS Pharmacy counter and give them my card was overwhelming. My $320 asthma med: $70 co-pay. My $160 nasal spray: $30. And so on.
I need to get my first mammogram. I need to go to the gynecologist for the first time in 10 years. When I was sick last week and even the meds from the doctor weren’t working, I knew if – God forbid – I needed the ER because I couldn’t breathe, I could go. I have insurance. I will not be denied, as I was in 1983 because ‘no one develops asthma as an adult’ sayeth BCBS and they wouldn’t pay for my hospital stay.
I’m one grateful old lady.
****
The Obama Diary 
Thanks
GGaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaail!!
Chiiiiippppsssssss!!!! ♥
Hugs!!!!!!!!!
😯
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😀
VC why are shocked that I slipped into First?
I have the luck today 😀
You are Irish too today, are you? 😆
It was more unexpected than shocking, but I couldn’t find the ‘unexpected’ smilie. I do wish they’d expand the smilie list to cover more scenarios. 😛
****** Vibrant McMuffin! ****** 😆
Thank you again 57, so beautifully written, a powerful story – thrilled for you.
I’m overwhelmed. Thanks, Chips.
You know – I wanted to write a comment some months ago about my experience but Life got in the way. At that time I would have elaborated on my travails getting enrolled (yes, there were problems). But here’s the important point: that is all in the past. The problems with the website did exist and it was frustrating but those were minor growing pains of a massive endeavor. Medicare was a mess at first, as was Medicare Part D, MA health care, and they were much easier to achieve in comparison. The Obama administration forged ahead, solving problems with their calm and their focus on doing what was right. It was not about politics (although politics were involved) it was always about providing health care to millions like me who were without it.
If Republicans had not blocked proper efforts to inform the public, what we are seeing in this last month we would have seen from 2010 on. Americans would have been lining up in the streets to sign up. As it is, the fact the millions (like me) went back again and again until we had insurance is a testament to the deep need that is now being filled by ACA.
My point is: people are now insured. We now have access to affordable health care. It is our RIGHT and we will not have our RIGHTS to health care taken away. We will fight to afford those rights who are currently being denied by Republicans and ONLY by Republicans. Paul Begala frames this fight: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2014/03/14/how-democrats-can-flip-the-script-on-obamacare/
Loved getting up this am to see your story 57 – must say this sentence stunned me the most – ‘no one develops asthma as an adult’. Mr 99 developed asthma when in his 50s.
Everyone here watched as you had problems with the web site & I can only imagine the frustration – but your words say it all – for so many who were one step away from financial ruin because they became ill – or those who took the alternative of never seeing a doctor – web site problems were not life threatening – they were frustrating and annoying – but they were fixed.
You and millions more have become the worst fear of the GOP – people who know the truth about health care insurance before and after Obamacare. Later in the day I shall have a wee drink to celebrate the truth of it all.
HZ, very happy that things worked out for you.
Thank you for sharing your highly relevant story, 57!!
#TrustBarack
57, people now insured will tell other people about it, just as you have. Even if people don’t sign up by March 31, they will learn through the rest of the year that their neighbors and friends are getting the coverage and peace of mind that they’re NOT getting and will be eager to sign up when the enrollment opens up again in October, which is conveniently one month before the 2014 election. By the way, 57, you are NOT an old lady–still a young one in my book.
I’m so happy you shared your story 57. This is wonderful news. You should definitely write the President and tell him how ACA is working for you.
Wonderful news.
57, what a powerful testimony. Thank you for sharing!
GOOOOOooooo, 57!! I’m so thrilled Obamacare has come to your rescue. Here’s to your good health!!
Powerful testimony…not only to our President and those DEMs who stood with him….but also to the GOP who would take away life saving insurance for our citizens!,,,,
Yes We DiD….
57… just knowing that you are covered now must take a heavy weight off your mind. Millions of people that are in a situation just like yours can now breath easier (no pun intended because of your asthma). Living in fear of getting sick/ill is NOT something we in the richest country of the world should have to deal with.
Wow 5 million+ and counting with 198,000 calls on Thursday alone.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/17/five-million-enrolled-in-health-exchanges/6537049/
What an awesome post 57. You held onto this wonderful story all this time?! 🙂 I think you should write to POTUS; he would love to read this.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story 57. I too am full of gratitude for the ACA.
However, I have one disagreement with you…. 57 (or thereabouts :-)) is not anywhere near an “old lady”
Thanks for the lovely piece, girl! 😉
I’m not 57 anymore – I’m almost 64.
I became ’57 and Female’ during the early years of PBO’s campaign when smug Hillary thought she owned my vote because I was a woman of a ‘certain age’. So I called myself ’57 and Female’ and a staunch PBO supporter.
Well I wasn’t going to change my name every year so I kept it. Some smart TOD family member wondered on my birthday last year if that was where I got the name since my birthday is May 7.
That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.
I remember it was all about HRC, this and that, and the other. It was offensive to me to be considered such an ‘easy sell’, as they counted us all in a lump sum! From the day Barack Obama announced his candidacy, and I confess I had never heard of him until that day in 2007 :oops:, I knew somehow not only would he have my vote, but that he would be the next president. I know a lot of us here never wavered, ever.
64 is not old either, 57 🙂
And I love the reason behind your TOD name! I know plenty of women that the HRC campaign and the media pundits assumed were Hillary supporters who have been PBO supporters from day one! Actually, from his speech at the convention in 2004! I, for one, was so happy when he announced and ecstatic when he won that first primary contest! People were “expected” not to support him in 2012 too and… surprise 🙂 four more years!
So Happy for you 57 ~ Huge Congratulations! Cheers!
I interviewed a middle-aged recently divorced woman (with a teen boy) who told me a tale that made me dance in my chair (while still behaving professionally)
She works for a world-wide construction management company. At the end of last year, they decided to 1099 her. She said she panicked, then got mad, then she signed up for “Obamacare” and became very happy! She said she was so happy to have an alternative that was available and affordable.
Now she’s looking to change companies – and can do so without fear of losing medical coverage.
I wanted to sing!!!!!!!
Woo Hoo 57! This is such great news and Gracias for sharing. I have to call a big BS on BCBS for the “no one develops asthma as an adult.” I’m 70 & I developed asthma only 4 years ago. I’ve always had some seasonal allergies but my Doc thinks the asthma came on due to prolonged & extreme exposure to animals even though I had been a pet owner all my life. After I retired I really got into animal rescue & fostering. I volunteered at a local shelter at least three days a week & fostered fur children in my home, mostly cats but also dogs, rabbits & even reptiles on occasion. Then I got really sick. I had to give up all that plus my own four precious cats. It was painful. I can’t tell you how much. Thankfully I had medicare.
I do okay. I have the meds. I manage if I stay away from animals as much as possible which is really hard.
My husband was diagnosed with asthma in his 50s. To say he was very surprised would be an understatement. He, too, believed that couldn’t/ wouldn’t happen as an adult.
When Mr. 57 and I got married we moved into an apartment where cats had lived and it triggered asthma.
The bastards at BCBS also denied Mr. 57’s one and only insurance claim on a Christmas morning when he was in excruciating pain. We had paid into the system for 25 years and they denied his claim.
One of the reasons I didn’t want to go with BCBS through ACA. I was glad to find the co-op.
Thank goodness for progressive radio: Norman Goldman can drive me insane but he had this guy on periodically from the Illinois Small Business Advocacy Council who was establishing the company.
Oh, I’m so sorry you had to give up your precious animals, and so sorry for them! It’s one of the reasons I knew I couldn’t work for a vet or do that kind of fostering since I’ve had cat allergies my entire life. Giving up the love of fur babies – I’m so sorry for you.
What a story 57, I know what you mean about not having insurance, I didn’t for 2 years before I went on Medicare. I had a complete physical and every test I could think of before I went to Texas in 2005, and then dropped BCBS a month after that. Couldn’t afford the premiums anymore now that I was on Medicare. I lucked out and didn’t get the supplemental until 2011 and then all hell broke loose for me. you are still a young lady and this think with asthma is crappy. They have you by the short hairs when it comes to inhalers. I am supposed to start using one that doesn’t interfere with my heart and it is not on my formulary, 235/month. Not going to happen unless I definitely need it. Take care of yourself.
Dig for whatever alternatives are out there. A good friend of my husband found out that Advair was no longer in his formulary and I don’t know of any real alternative. At 73 years old, he’s scrambling to find a similar medication to the one he knows works for him, just because of profit concerns of insurance companies.
Despicable. We still have a long way to go to fixing our health care system in this country.
Thanks for sharing your story 57. I am so grateful ACA could help you and many others. It helps even people with insurance because of some of its other provisions too.
That’s such an important point: EVERYONE benefits from this law unless you have traitorous Republicans standing in the way of access.
Yes, from the no limits on coverage and the no denial for pre-existing conditions to name too. You did a great post 57, proud of you. How are those puppies and Mr. 57? ☺️🍀
Glad you have peace of mind finally, 57. A load lifted, for sure.
What an endorsement. Totally deserved.
Standing O!!
Thank you so much for sharing 57!!
It’s always been about them and nothing else. They were criticized while they were in the WH for not giving a damn about helping a Democratic Congress.
Yup. After reading you story on your name and Hillary’s assumption of white over 50 women I realized she hasn’t done ONE thing to help out in the 2014 elections; either by being a vocal supporter of Obamacare OR by doing any fundraisers. Yet she will do 2016 the same as 2008; running around to every city with the crown expecting eager hands to help put it on her head.
I really don’t want to vote for her. I will if I have to, but I really don’t want to.
Here is what I’ve come to: I don’t think she’d be a good President. I no longer believe that serving the American people is important to her – it’s all about ambition and ego. I don’t want that 90’s world view again. I don’t want political dynasties of the Bushes and the Clintons – they are ruling classes and not governing classes. She had opportunities to show her greatness, and when she faced some pushback she happily and comfortably went into the gutter and loved it there. She was not a distinguished SoS (expect the whispering campaigns to begin that that was PBO’s fault – he didn’t give her power, he was jealous, or some other idiocy.
She may, unfortunately, be our best hope for keeping the Presidency and I will support any Democrat. But I wish it wasn’t Hillary.
57andFemale.
What a beautiful story. I am so very happy for you and for our nation as more people get Covered..
Little by little, folks are getting insurance and lives are being saved and income inequality is getting a tiny competition for Health Care and Housing are the biggest expense many in US face daily.
This post is one of the main reasons that I adore TOD.
Thank you Chips for making this Oasis a Family Unit.
♥ ♥ ♥
Thank you for sharing your story 57.
5M plus. There are many who have browsed on healthcare.gov and selected their plans and have not fully enrolled. I do believe that as the March 31st deadline approaches, those people will be completing their plans……the MSM may once again have raw eggs in their faces.
Their Glee will never shine. That is my Trust and my Believe.
The VA disability Claims continue to SHRINK now down 41% form about a year ago.
Rachel and Patrick Murphy did a lot of work on this issue. bravo to them and the VA for their continued progress.
G’d evening Chips, TOD, lurkers, everyone and congrats GGail on #1! Thanks 57 for sharing your positive ACA news with us. So happy for you, and hope your health continues to improve as the days/weeks go by!! 🙂
57, “one grateful old lady”…….you are not an old lady! I am ten years older than you, so you are still young!
So glad you have health insurance now, and can get the meds you need for an affordable price. Having health insurance will make you feel younger, because you won’t have to worry about getting what you need. The load is lifted 🙂
http://www.c-span.org/video/?318328-2/white-house-daily-briefing
Jay’s presser today 3-17-14.
So Media with ACA hitting 5M plus after Pres Obama appeared before a web series show that You-know-it-all pundits claimed to be undignified? Now well over 15M have viewed the 6 mins plus appearance and Today ACA has over 5M sign ups?
Coincident? No.
Just the way it is MSM. So today they are mad and are talking about 7M. Hmm? When 7M gets here, they will be MUTE and DUMB again.
Are you referring to Between Two Ferns? It had already hit 17M views yesterday. So it must certainly be over 17M views tonight.
18 million as of 10:30 tonight.
Ah..sounds more like it. 🙂
Yes HF2. Thanks.
ABC news really went out of their way to portray PBO’s sanctions against Russia as a “joke.” They started off by saying that Putin declared victory as Crimea voted to join Russia, and then framed the entire situation as a “duel between Putin and PBO.” They did their damnest to make PBO seem like an incompetent joke who was getting pushed around by Putin and they refused to mention The reporter, Martha Radditz NEVER mentioned the EU’s actions and the general isolation of Russia. ABC is basically viewing Putin as PBO’s opposition in the way they view the Republicans – that they need to take the side of PBO’s opponents – no matter who they are.
The US media needs to be very careful who they cheerlead for. They’re playing some dangerous games – giving Putin a false sense of his own strength and influence vis-a-vis PBO. Their ODS and desire to see PBO fail is causing them to confuse and conflate domestic politics with international conflicts. They shall soon find out that Putin doesn’t give a rat’s arse about any of them, and at the end of the day, he will just as well wipe them off the face of the earth as he will do anyone he doesn’t like.
Big headline:”US MEDIA ROOTING FOR THE ENNEMY”
This is how I feel about ABC and the MSM…….”F” the U.S. them !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“F” ABC and the MSM. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The media lost their minds when PBO was elected President. We do not have real media anymore; only opinions. They are truly pathetic.
Congratulations 57. What a lovely story. Because I have had health care all my life I can’t imagine what it is like to be without but reading your story reminds me of how lucky we are here in Canada. Please do all those things you spoke about, they are so important to women’s health and wellbeing. Good luck!
What 57’s story shows is that, sure, she had *access* to health care before ACA, but it was expensive and of poor quality, and liable to not even be there when she really needed it. ACA isn’t just access to health care; it’s access to affordable, secure health care.
Thanks, LL. That’s exactly it. The non-regulation of for-profit medical costs is the untold demon in our health care system.
When my husband and the dogs were attacked by a pit bull and a bull dog we got our one seriously injured dog to Doggie ER and during his surgery, I took my (then) 71 year old husband to the ER to make sure he was okay. They x-rayed his knee and cleaned his minor scrapes and lacerations, checked his bp, etc.
The Medicare HMO of course covered the claim, no question. The bill broke down as follows: $1,000. $500 “special discount for Humana). Humana paid $450 and we paid our $50 co-pay.
What was the ‘real’ cost for those services? $500. The rest was tacked on b.s. that, if you don’t have insurance you have to pay out-of-pocket. The incentive in the American health care system is so drive up costs unnecessarily for profit.
A person should be able to weather an office visit or a colonoscopy. It is completely unaffordable to pay for health care unless you’re Rush Limbaugh or the Romneys. Do we have a ‘great’ medical system? Probably. If you can afford it. And if you can’t, you do not have access to it.
Hey Axelrod, subtly doesn’t work. Call what they do what it is. UnConstitutional, UnAmerican, and term it as Jr Crow 2.0
This is such a cute and funny short film.
Story behind it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tatia-pilieva/the-story-behind-first-ki_b_4980015.html
Here’s the story behind that video:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/15/5511796/story-behind-first-kiss-viral-video
More here: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1723997/first-kiss-video.jhtml
Okay, so I simply MUST post Jimmy Fallon’s answer to this 🙂
What do you think about this?——just got a call from someone identifying themselves from Illinois Educ. Assn. saying she is calling Democrats asking them to vote in the Republican primary tomorrow——that Bruce Rauner must be stopped—–he’s the venture capitalist gov. candidate —–told the Chgo Trib he is worth somewhere in the hundreds of millions—–and he has been spending it non stop for months running ads here around the clock—-every 2 days there would be news that he gave his campaign another $2 million etc.——it’s been nauseating—-he was on the record saying he wants to lower the minimum wage and every other despicable stance you can think of. So he is despicable, I agree with that—but the lady went on a little too long praising the other Repub candidate, Kirk Dillard, who has been around forever, a perennial candidate for office. I’m wondering if it was a trick—–by Dillard’s campaign. I think I’ll still vote Dem as planned, even tho there aren’t many choices.
I’m doing exactly that. I’m going to vote for one of his horrible GOP opponents. Rauner is Mitt Romney 2.0
They’re ALL awful. Jim Edgar shilling for Dillard as if he’s sane and moderate when IL Republicans were sane and moderate. Yet Dillard’s radio commercials – I might as well be in Mississippi with his love for the NRA and how he’ll abolish abortion.
Unfortunately, we have a hotly contested state representative race in my district so I have to vote Democratic. I’m assuming there will be thundering hoards of dozens of voters bothering to vote.
Yes, Russia just has our best interests at heart.
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26609548
I would not be surprised if the GOP operatives like R-money was behind this.
Ditto.
How very nice of mr hank fucking paulson not to give any credit to the greedy wall street pigs for creating that 5.4 trillion fraud monster to begin with.
Forget china & russia, the biggest enemies are within – the corporate and the wall street thieves, their political puppets from both parties and their msm shills. And of course, an willfully ignorant voting mass, who enable these traitors. Repeatedly.
Coolest First Lady Ever!!!
LL, I wish you would write a thread exposing the media
Of course I avoid watching CNN. But I’m on Twitter on and off most of the day, and I’ve been following the tweets about its coverage of the missing airplane. I’m just gobsmacked by a) how much time is being devoted to that when we might be on the verge of a European shooting war, and b) how awful the coverage is. When Don Lemon went into X-Files territory last night, that was the nail in the coffin.
😉
What did John McCain say about what G.W. Bush did in 2008 when Putin invaded Georgia?
All I can think when I see these pictures is: The DAMAGE that man did to our country and the world! It is taking a long time to recover from him!!!
congratulation 57 and Female! I am that you and millions have a piece of mind!
and yes, I recall the frustration you expressed here when you couldn’t create an account;
then you created an account and still had additional challenges; very glad that all this is behind you;
Our state is one of those that refused to set up its own insurance exchange and relied on the Feds.
Worse still, the gop governor had refused to expand Medicaid until a coalition of advocates and his naked ambition to be a presidential candidate made him change his mind and go around the gop legislature to expand Medicaid.
By that time, the state had lost 2 months of enrollment to help the poor;
last week, the very first person I helped to sign up for Obamacare in October finally received his Medicaid card;
he called to personally express his excitement and gratitude for helping sign him up – made me cry;
he is middle-aged, has serious medical condition which he ignored;
he had 0 income (because he is a Buddhist monk and administers to a very small congregation);
this 0 income took time to verify but he was grateful that eventually all went well and he is ready to go see a doctor for his ailments.
he is not fluent in English but wanted me to know & understand that he is praying for PBO daily because of what POTUS had done for people like him and his congregation;
with people like this praying for PBO, nothing directed at him will succeed in taking him down!
Beautiful story. Thank you for everything you do. Even in IL our stupid legislature wouldn’t set up their own Exchanges so I dealt with healthcare.gov.
It’s still depressing, how many people are still caught in a bad loop. A friend of mine – divorced with a teen-aged son – said she hasn’t been able to sign up yet, still caught in the ugly loop. I told her to create a new email acct (I had to do that several times) and she should be okay. In the alternative, pick your plan and call.
I have friends in upper levels of IT and they said when they heard the name of the company building the website, we were going to be in deep trouble. If there’s any ‘fault’ it falls with the choice of that company.
It’s time for those who love Obamacare to start yelling…..NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! And it’s time for Democrats to stop acting like dam cowards and get behind the ACA.
Thank you 57 and Female for tell us your story on how the ACA (aka Obamacare) has made a difference in your life although you will only have it for one year. One year in which for the first time you are getting better healthcare and lots of peace of mind. With the help of our very lovely Tally who is working hard getting folks signed, helped me get my brother signed up this past December. He too is 64yrs old and has gone ten years without any insurance. He is relatively healthy but needs to get a physical to see where his health is. Like you, I am so thankful that if anything happens to him, he is covered, he won’t go bankrupt, and I have the peace of mind that if necessary he will be treated without going broke.
In the category of ‘careful for what you wish’ ….
#TrustBarack
I so hope they had a productive discussion.
They have certainly built a fine relationship, meta. The future of both the Israeli State and Palestinian State depend on it.
The demographic clock does not favor Bibi, just as it does not favor the Republicans.
They either get a clue really quickly or Israel as a ‘Jewish State’ would only be possible through apartheid policies, and a Republican Party in its current manifestaion only being viable because Americans succumbed to a neo-Confederate plutocracy. Neither of those outcomes is likely, but it is for us and the Israelis & Palestinians, respectively, to make sure that both of those outcomes are rendered impossible.
#TrustBarack
Thank you 57 for sharing your story. I remember reading how difficult it was for you to get the information you needed. I’m so glad that you will finally be able to get affordable health insurance and peace of mind that comes with it.
Only fitting, 57, that this news be posted in a TOD thread celebrating your #Obamacare success story:
“HHS just confirmed my post from a few hours earlier today:
As this historic open enrollment period enters its final weeks, millions of Americans are finding quality, affordable coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Fernando Valdez and Denise Schroeder were part of a weekend wave of consumers signing up for new coverage and bringing enrollment nationwide to more than 5 million through the Federal and State-based Marketplaces since October 1st.”
http://obamacaresignups.net/14/03/17/hhs-confirms-5m-qhps-or-yay-meand-yes-6m-65m-or-even-7m-are-possible
And, yes, it is possible to reach the CBO projection of 7M by, or before, 31 March 2014.
No matter, 57 is COVERED and so are MILLIONS of Americans who otherwise would be suffering and dieing without health care.
#TrustBarack … and Be Thankful ….
It is not difficult to imagine the total acceptance of Obamacare if the media had supported the administration rather than the RWNJs – they are going to be egg on face big time – but how much better for the country if they had helped, not hindered the legislation.
Their role now seems to be convincing democratic candidates to say “it needs fixing” rather than what they should be saying – “it is the success of the century”. Hopefully that will be another fail
Meta do you (or anyone else) know what time the ceremony will be held tomorrow? I want to plan so that I can see it (live) if possible. 🙂
Sorry, hf. I don’t think the time has been published yet.
No problem meta – hopefully we should have the info by mid-morning tomorrow 🙂
New post:
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/03/17/medal-of-honor-a-wrong-put-right/
57! Thanks for sharing your story. I’m thrilled that you now have the comfort and assurance of quality health insurance. The illness that currently has me down is “Allergy induced, adult onset asthma;” I’ve been hospitalized three times in the last 18 months; steroids and inhalers are not working for me. Friday, they put me on O2 as needed, and next week I start Xolair. I understand that the Xolair costs approximately $15 – 20,000 per year. Fortunately, I have great insurance, so my only concern after a flair up has been to get well; your story really touched me because I can imagine the pain of not only being afraid of illness, but also being without adequate insurance. I am so pleased that now most folks will have coverage of their choice and the peace of mind that goes with it.
Oh Alycee, I’m so sorry your asthma is so difficult to control. I struggled for years until Advair finally was my miracle. On and off steroids is a nightmare. People without asthma have no idea how debilitating it is to not be able to breathe.
You get well, do what your doctors tell you. Keep me posted, please, on how you’re doing.