Letter to the Editor
Medical care
Published Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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To the editor:
I am astounded as each day in the paper I read how many millions of dollars the Legislature is able to find to spend on roads, sports complexes, buildings and other projects, yet is unable to approve $770,000 to provide health care for children and pregnant women.
Most states have raised the income level for state health insurance programs such as Denali Kid Care to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. But Alaska, one of the richest states in the country, was unable to do this.
As a public health nurse, I frequently work with children without health insurance whose parents are working two and three jobs just to make ends meet, which is even more difficult considering today’s food and oil prices.
Lack of health care has been noted as a contributing factor in Alaska having one of the highest rates of poor infant health indicators in the nation.
All of the money passed this year for education doesn’t help if children aren’t healthy.
It is a shame that the legislators who either voted no or let the bill die in committee cannot understand the plight of those less fortunate than themselves, especially since many of those legislators are often the ones holding themselves up to be more moral and ethical than the rest of us.
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Or build a compound in Iraq that costs into the millions because we are not wanted there and they expect it to be bombed as compared to a health care facility that wont need artilery proof walls because we all want one around...
I do not consider myself unfortunate; rather, I am blessed! I am more fortunate than many, and am grateful for a long-term job, where I have worked for 12 years. I earn a moderate income.
I am a single-income mom. I drive an unreliable car because I don't want to commit to long-term car payments. I live in a cramped 1 bedroom apartment because I don't want to live beyond my means. I buy my clothes at garage sales & "The Village." I don't drink or do drugs. I cut my own hair (which is scary) because I don't want to waste money on vanity. And I don't stay current with my own health care because, although I am insured through my employer, I choose between the co-pay, childcare, groceries, fuel, rent, and tucking a little away in savings.
I have only my employment income. I don't qualify for DKK and cannot afford health insurance for my daughter, which is $700 per month. I am scared. And I am angry.
I have insurance, but if I didnt, my bill wouldve been approx $12,000 for me, and $4,000 for my baby. We were in the hospital for 4 days after the birth. My portion of the bill was managable, but imagine if I didnt have insurance?
My family was scraping by on one income. The husband was covered through his work but the family could not afford the additional coverage which would have been over $1200 monthly. We did fine until a simple broken arm cost us $2000. Tax refund covered that bill. We then decided I would go back to work simply to provide the family with medical coverage. We now have terrific coverage. The cost was loosing a very involved Mother to 9-10 hours away from the family. Not complaining, just adding depth to the issue being discussed. Health care is very expensive, even with the coverage our medical costs are ridiculous.
Kind of amazing, @$770,000 per year, the new ADF&G storage unit ($2million) could provide 2 1/2 years of medical coverage.
Glad to see that money is being well spent! :^(
Consider the cost of the war in Iraq:
$4,681 per household.
$1,721 per person.
$341.4 million per day.
That's a lot of health care!
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