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As much as I love America, the wonderful people, the diversity, the climate, the beauty, the diverse landscape, the shopping opportunity, excellent and diverse food, and almost everything.... It is very very very very sad that we are basically the only western/industrial nation with no national health care *Seriously crying now*
My parents moved from Western Europe few years ago, and my dad was recently diagnosed with bad cancer, and he has high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. and has been under disability. He cannot work at all, and he is 63 years now. My mother does not speak English, and she is willing to work but nobody is hiring her. She goes to school to learn English, but since she is almost 60 years it is difficult for her to learn English especially when you speak other multiple languages and different language at home.
The other day we went to NJ county Board of Social Security Office, and since my father gets payed only $1000 from Europe due to early retirement/disability which is not even enough for the 1 bedroom apartment rent, he did not qualify for any health insurance (medicaid) because he had to make maximum $950 no matter what other expenses. Neither did my mom get any since she is not 65 years old yet Now my dad canceled his important doctor appointments due to no health insurance, and they do not take charity either. He cannot afford going to doctor since it's extremely expensive. They receive food stamp, but we hope it will not be taken away, then they are risk of being without food.
Why is America, the world's wealthiest nation like that? Since they have nobody left in Western Europe and all family and kids are here, they are trying not to move back.
I wish we could help them out, but since medication is expensive and we could barely make it ourselves I don't know what to do. This is depressing. I myself pay very high taxes!
Why do you expect us to pay for your parents? They are your parents, YOU pay for them? Why didn't they think and/or plan this out BEFORE they came here? His ailments didn't just crop up over night and, in so far as your mother, she has been in the United for "several years," yet still can't speak English? Do you think the people in her country would have sympathy for me or pay for me if the roles were reversed? Nope.
Why do you expect us to pay for your parents? They are your parents, YOU pay for them? Why didn't they think and/or plan this out BEFORE they came here? His ailments didn't just crop up over night and, in so far as your mother, she has been in the United for "several years," yet still can't speak English? Do you think the people in her country would have sympathy for me or pay for me if the roles were reversed? Nope.
He was healthy when he moved her. I could barely afford living here myself due to high taxes and cost of living. In Europe every citizen is entitled to free health care, no matter if you are rich or poor. You just pay very small amount when you visit (Typically less than $10).
My mom is not young and it is hard for her to learn a new language at that age. Nobody is hiring her at all.
You pay for other people no matter what. We all pay taxes!
Try to get his compensation reduced by $50 per month down to the required $950 max requested by medicaid. The loss in income is more than made up in the value of medical care he could receive through medicaid.
The cost structure is WAY out of whack because the government is in the revenue stream of health care. They take their cut of the money and they are very inefficient - and really are not focus on pleasing the customer like doctors/hospitals are. The cost structure should be way lower than it is right now.
The best scenario would be for them to get out of health care financials and just have some common sense regulation. Let the state be more detailed in their regulation. Some states want health care for all - fine. Some states don't - fine. Let the people choose the state they want to live.
But you are right - it does suck right now from a cost perspective.
If your parents are a citizen of Western European country and they are retired, do they have a medical insurance from that country?
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*Seriously crying now*