Sophia A.
Nelson, Opinion contributor Published 6:00 a.m. ET June 2,
2019 | Updated 3:15 p.m. ET June 2, 2019
Too many Americans are
rationing their insulin or being forced to choose between food and medication.
We simply cannot keep up with the cost of care.
Many Americans assume that if they have a
good job, they'll have a good health care plan. And if they have insurance,
they assume that they are immune from the health care debate. In
reality, many of us are just one major illness away from financial
devastation. I know, I've been there.
About a decade ago, I was severely injured
after I was run off the road by a vehicle while riding my bicycle. The injury
caused a series of health issues resulting in more than $50,000 worth of
medical bills that I was responsible for paying, despite having good health
insurance and financial security. That was $50,000 beyond
my premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that I
already paid. In my case, my injury slowed my ability to work, generate
income for my business, and keep up with prescription medications, follow-up
procedures and large deductibles.
Sadly, my situation is not unique. According to Gallup polls,
70% of Americans say our health care "is in a state of
crisis," and rising insurance premiums are a major concern for 61% of Americans.
Nearly half (46%) are worried they won't be able to afford their care.
A quarter of Americans have skipped treatment
because of its cost and, even among people of means (households earning
$180,000 or more a year), a third fear a major health event
could lead them to file for bankruptcy. How secure can lower-income
Americans feel? I was lucky. I had family and friends who were able to
lend me money. Not everyone has that much help.
Congress fiddles
while Americans get burned
In Washington, Congress and the president
remain at a standstill on this issue, despite the fact that daily we hear
stories about citizens who, for example, must ration their insulin.
Or people who don't take their medication as
prescribed in order to stretch them out. Or seniors forced to choose between buying food or medicine.
And, worst of all, some have even died from not being able to afford their
medicine. This clearly should not be the case in America.
I have a life-threatening endocrine
condition that requires me to take medication daily. At times, I need emergency
IV injections. This medication is a monthly expense that, without a good
prescription drug plan, could cost me hundreds of dollars each month, plus any
out-of-network costs to see specialists not covered by my insurance. My
budget revolves around my medical costs.
I am a single woman, with no dependent
children. I own a successful consulting firm. My health care costs run more
than $600 a month just for the premiums (what I pay in order to have my
insurance policy). Nationwide, average premiums
vary widely by age, plan and state of residence. Then, there are
$50 copays for every doctor visit, prescription costs and visits to urgent
care.
With an eye to the future, I also have
long-term care insurance, which three-quarters of Americans say
they don't have and more than half say is too expensive. What
happens if you cannot work? What happens if you get disabled temporarily? How will
you pay your bills, keep your home and cover medical expenses? Health care
costs do not just begin and end with your health care coverage.
Health care costs
add up
Despite running my own business and doing
well, my medical emergency devastated me financially. Unable to work as hard as
I was used to, and having gone through my savings and 401(k) from my days
working in law, I could not pay my mortgage, the debt piled up and I filed
bankruptcy. I had to start over in my mid-40s. It took me five years just to
recover, get another home and rebuild a normal life, but with my health care
costs I will always be looking over my shoulder with worry.
My experience taught me this: The debate
between a single payer health care system or “choice” in the marketplace
is really a false one. The reality is that Americans are unable to keep up with
the costs of care.
Congress must act now to address rising
premium and prescription drug costs. There must be options for affordable
care in the marketplace that go beyond the Affordable Care Act and give small
businesses and people like me the ability to cover ourselves and our
families without going bankrupt.
Sophia A. Nelson is an MSNBC commentator,
journalist and author of multiple books. Her most recent book
is “E Pluribus One: Reclaiming Our
Founders' Vision for a United America.” Follow her on
Twitter: @IAmSophiaNelson
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