rowanf | Thoughts about health care

I write my congressional representative fairly often, probably around monthly. I wanted to go ahead and post my current missive so I'd have the figures on hand to find again easily.

Dear Rep. Lofgren,

I got a big of a wake-up call this week. Due to a glitch somewhere in the system I got a letter from my insurance company addressed to "Dear Former Employee" telling me about my COBRA benefit options. I had always heard how crazy health care costs are for folks who don't have employer provided health care. But Wow!

To continue covering me alone would be between $401.28 and $460.73 a month plus another $50/month for dental/vision insurance. Employee+family ranged from $1203.83-1382.21 plus $120 for vision/dental every month.

Looking at the CA Employment Development Department website I couldn't figure out how much unemployment I might be receiving. But I'm thinking that I would most likely be unable to afford healthcare.

The health care system in this country is broken and has been for a long time. Insurance companies and other middlemen have been raking it in. Employers are burdened with spiraling costs. It is time, and past time, for our government to follow the lead of the other civilized nations and provide universal health care to our citizens.

Thanks for listening.

Rowan