News Pre-existing conditions

[Deleted member 41765]

Please Note: I've specific reasons I did not post under the politics category that I do not wish to share or debate. Thanking you in advance.

An atrocity of a bill just passed in my country that will revise our health care system and eliminate coverage for pre-existing conditions including, but not limited to: mental health issues, RAPE (what the effing f*ck), and domestic violence. The ramifications of this will be devastating for millions, myself included, and women seem to be particularly targeted.

And this is exactly what I feel-- targeted (and triggered!). For me the last several months have required an exhausting effort to regain any semblance of safety in the world. Despite the fact that there is one more step before this becomes law, I am anxious, fearful, and outraged.

Earlier, a comment was made that an atrocity is a matter of perspective. True. And it is my perspective is that this is a moral one.

Is anyone else feeling an intensity around this?

 

[Deleted member 541]

We can't discuss politics on the forum... sorry.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

I was attempting to discuss feelings.

 

[joeylittle]

Feelings can be discussed.

I've moved this to Trauma Miscellaneous, because of the orientation towards specific trauma and the label of 'pre-existing condition'.

The thread will be fine if it stays on people's personal experience of this event. How it affects you.

Start talking about how it is or is not good for the US as a nation, or what the current US govt is doing wrong, and it's likely to be locked.

Personally: I think it's really f*cked up that rape or domestic violence become the responsibility of the victim, not the perpetrator.

If I lived in a world where this were true, I'd never speak of abuse or assault. Ever. It's enough of a thing just to live with it, having it affect the medical care I'm eligible for would be too depressing. How can a person leave it behind them, ever?

 

[Deleted member 41765]

@joeylittle Thank you. I debated whether or not to post, asked the advice of another member before posting, and absolutely intended to keep it feelings/triggered focused, thus no mention of political affiliation or attempt at any kind of platform.

If I lived in a world where this were true, I'd never speak of abuse or assault. Ever. It's enough of a thing just to live with it, having it affect the medical care I'm eligible for would be too depressing. How can a person leave it behind them, ever?

And this was they type of response I was hoping for.

 

[Deleted member 33052]

I think this is a very important discussion, particularly in sites like this. Surely one can discuss legislation without having to worry about being *political*.

I fear for a very large percentage of your country. This pre-existing condition coverage elimination is frightening for sufferers of so many illnesses, injuries, disabilities. I guess it's one way to keep health care costs down in the short term, but the long-term results will be disastrous.

Thanks for posting this, ShikibuZ!

 

[scout86]

The part of all this that I find the most frustrating is that most of the people running the show seem not to either understand or care. And there doesn't seem to be any way to be heard. None. Beyond frustrating. (My T said, last week, that he 'thinks government exists to decide who gets to be rich'. Probably not far from the truth!

 

[Deleted member 541]

So, now that we have "feelings" and it's ok to discuss this... I honestly can fathom how or why mental illness, rape, abuse, etc, etc wouldn't be covered. It's not like it just happens, and that's the end of it. There is a "lifetime" of struggle because of it, as WE all know. We the sufferers, who have dealt with it.

It's a f*cked up mess, and one that I pray gets resolved soon. Not likely, but I can still pray!!!,

 

[The Albatross]

The intense feelings I felt about this topic, was the government grab for healthcare 8 years ago. And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

 

[Deleted member 41765]

@TexCat Thanks for your response. And yes, it is a lifetime struggle that for many requires continuing support. I am fortunate enough to be able to see a private T, and can't help thinking about those who can only access this help through their health plan. Even still, if this mess isn't resolved, I will loose general care, which scares me and loops me into my ptsd symptoms which have been on a rampage lately (due to the violent death of a friend, not politics)

I also consider what this means in terms of rape reporting. As if the process isn't excruciating enough, there would be an added layer: report (lose coverage or not qualify), do not report (silence=health insurance?!).

An aside: thank you also for responding again. I was taken aback by your first one, became a little upset, then did some fishing around and realized I was not entirely aware of the rules. I can see the necessity...

 

[scout86]

I have no clear idea where this crosses a line into politics, U.S. politics, North American politics, or whatever the exactly forbidden topic is but... Rape as a pre-existing condition? How does that work, any idea? Someone who has been raped once is excluded from coverage if it ever happens again? Or if you're treated for the consequences, THAT is pre-existing and either won't be covered going forward, or your insurance will cost more add a result? Maybe this will result in civil actions against rapists, to try to make THEM pay the extra costs? Basically, this seems to be adding a while new level of craziness to a system that was already a bit crazy.

 

[Deleted member 37474]

@TexCat Thanks for your response. And yes, it is a lifetime struggle that for many...

I think that you meant to respond to @shecat ;-). I hadn't read this thread, but now am and appreciate the alert.