A Different Kind of Public Option...
By anniepa
@anniepa (27955)
United States
October 20, 2009 5:29pm CST
Has anyone here heard the story of the 39 year old husband and father who enlisted in the Army because that was the only thing he could think of to get his wife the treatment she needed for ovarian cancer? She's getting the chemotherapy she needs but she's now forced to go through this terrible ordeal without the support of her husband. Her 14 year old daughter will have to go without her father while at the same time watching her mother suffer as she fights what may well be a losing battle against a horrible disease.
I sure hope this link works because this is a rather long article but certainly well worth the time it takes to read it: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/64677772.html
Any comments? Is this REALLY how we want to treat our fellow Americans? It's not for me!
Annie
7 responses
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Oh I think eveyrone agrees that the healthcare system is broke. What everyone can not agree on is how to fix it.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Oct 09
I also hope that when people hear or read of a story like this one they realize it IS important for us to be in a hurry to fix it! What I'D like to do is to lock all of the involved parties in a room and not let them out until they come up with a solution.
Annie
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Oct 09
as long as the lobbyist are not allowed in the room I may agree with you.
They are the problem on why a deal has not been reached. Too many lobbyist throwing around too much for a vote this way or that way. And it works.
Plus America is very divided on how they want it fixed. You show the town hall meetings. This is issue is running on high emotions.
Yes I want it fixed. But I would rather have it slow and right than fast sloppy and making things worse. Because believe it or not...it can get worse.
1 person likes this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
20 Oct 09
Hi, Annie!
If I didn't already thing there was an urgent need for health care reform, this article would have solidified that view.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Hi! You know, when we hear someone ask "What's the hurry?" we could point to this story and others like it. The fact is, when someone has cancer or many other potentially deadly diseases they can't wait 15 more years or even 15 more weeks! Over 100 people are dying every day because of a lack of health insurance. It really could be one of our relatives, friends or neighbors and IT SUCKS!!
Annie
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Not for me either. It is sad that he had to do such a thing, but it also shows how much he loves his family.
1 person likes this
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
21 Oct 09
Do you really think that this is the first instance of a person accepting a job they'd rather not do, just for the benefits?
@ParaTed2k (22940)
• Sheboygan, Wisconsin
21 Oct 09
He joined the military for the benefits. You can't tell me that that isn't the reason why many who are in enlisted.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Oct 09
This is a pretty extreme example, don't you think? Not too many jobs out there involve the real possibility of being killed along with the being away from the family part.
1 person likes this
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Sounds to me like she is most likely going to die anyway and he's not going to be there to support his family emotionally.
Why couldn't there get Medicaid?
@piasabird (1737)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Sorry, that should be why couldn't they get Medicaid to pay for her treatments?
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Oct 09
Most folks in the working class don't qualify for Medicaid, which is for the poor. This is why we have such a problem in this country. Hard working people who don't have employer provided health coverage have only one option...pay for private insurance that has high deductables ($5,000 or more) before they cover anything and who aren't required by any law to take everyone.
1 person likes this
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
20 Oct 09
Yes. Something needs to be done about our insurance system. I've yet to hear one person who says that it shouldn't be improved.
People are only differing on "who" should fix it.
Sad story. 
Many sad stories in this country.
Many sad stories in this country. 1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
21 Oct 09
I agree. There's nothing wrong with people having differing opinions on what to do, who should or how to do it but we've got to find a way to come to a compromise. There was one Senator who said the other day he didn't know if he believed people were dying because of a lack of insurance. THAT kind of denial won't get us anywhere!
Annie
@pastorkayte (2255)
• United States
25 Nov 09
Are you sure that is true because my cousin cant enlist in the army because he is over 32 years old I think he said but I am sure no more than 35. However the thing about that is he is doing what he can to help his wife, however I dont like stories that start out with discrepencies.
