MoveOn Asks Members To Oppose Senate Health Bill

Funny how perspectives change when you realize what you will end up with. Not too long ago, the House version was watered down piece of nothing - now it's "real". Not too long ago Obama was a sell out and stupid for courting "President" Snowe - now people are actually asking, "what about Snowe?"

Sanders is a lock to vote for the bill. Burris should be their target - he could easily be bought, especially since he's not running for re-election and is shady already.

Move On just lost my donations and membership.

30 million more covered, no discrimination on pre-existing conditions, real lives saved - and MoveOn wants me to help defeat this because they're stupid enough to think something better can pass the Senate? That's it - I'm resigning my membership and support for this group.

You cannot simply mandate away the problem of the uninsured. I and my wife and child do not have health insurance because we cannot AFFORD it, not because we don't WANT it. Just because some bill mandates that I have to buy it, does not suddenly give me the income to afford it. What is so confusing about this?

We make about $40,000 per year. Which is just over 200% of the federal poverty guidelines for a family of 3. We are not eligible for SCHIP, Medicaid or any other form of public assistance in our state. We have applied for everything available from the federal government and state DSS.

This is further compounded by the fact that we have to care for an elderly relative. They are 61 and receive about $1100 per month in Social Security. Because of that $1100 per month, they too are ineligible for any state or federal assistance beyond housing. But they already get free housing living with us and the government will not reimburse me for any of it. And, because they make $1100 per month, I can't legally claim them as a dependent, because while I provide a significant amount of support, I do not meet the legal threshold to claim them as a dependent.

I have been quoted many prices for health insurance. The lowest of these is $600 per month. I do not have $600 extra per month burning a hole in my pocket. That's 13% of my annual pre-tax income. Don't have it. Even if I was subsidized at say 50%, I still don't have $300 extra per month. And this doesn't even begin to take into account my elderly relative. In their case, our honest goal is just for them stay alive and reasonably healthy for 4 years until Medicare can foot the bill for their medical issues.

So what happens when I am told... buy health care or face a fine? I pay the fine and continue to get my health care through Community Health and the ER. Just because someone orders me to get health insurance doesn't solve the problem. I know many families who are in my exact same circumstances, and we all oppose any mandate without cost controls and a real public option.

Anyone Who Won't Lie in 2012

F*&% MoveOn.