Can Gov. Warner Fix the Healthcare Crisis?
Millions of Americans live on the edge of financial ruin. It's not that they haven't worked and contributed to society. Most have worked extremely hard to provide a decent home, a drivable vehicle, and a decent education for their children.
The middle-class of this country are feeling the squeeze. Wages and real purchasing power are down. Interest rates are on the rise. Gas and home heating prices are going through the roof. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. Two, hard working people in a household, can no longer keep up with the basics. Personal debt has many tettering on the edge.
While our government officials and federal workers have their own federal pension plan, the rest of us pay into Social Security. While they give themselves multiple salary increases to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars annually, minimum wages are kept at just over $5.00 per hour for twenty years.
I know the war on terror is important. Safety must be the number one priority but, we cannot overlook the other problems facing this country while terrorism gets every minute of our government's attention. People still need jobs. They still have to educate their children, and yes, many still have no health insurance or sub-standard insurance. They are one paycheck away from financial devastation.
Gov. Warner cares about healthcare. That's why he was a founding partner in the Virginia Healthcare Foundation, an organization that has served over 600,000 under-insured Virginians. That's why when his predecessors allowed the feds to come dangerously close to revoking federal funds intended for Virginia's uninsured children because they'd rather give it back to Washington than see needy children get it, Gov. Warner stepped in. As a result, his FAMIS Healthcare Plan for Virginia, enrolled 131,000 or 97% of all eligible children.
Gov. Warner chaired the National Governors Association's Report to Congress on Medicaid Reform. He understands the problems facing working people. Yet, I am posting one man's story on this blog to remind him that although he has helped thousands of Virginians, tens of thousands here in Virginia still need help. Across America, tens of millions are one sickness away from losing everything they've worked for all their lives.
Gov. Warner...when you are President of the United States, I ask you to please fix America's healthcare system. If anyone can tackle this problem, you can. If we all have to pitch in, ask us. Challenge this country to not allow the status quo to continue. We will rise to the occassion when our leaders stand up and ask us to.
Here is just one family's story:
I am a 43-year-old male with a beautiful wife of twenty years. I have two wonderful children, a 16-year-old son, who is a sophomore in high school, and a 19-old daughter who is a sophomore in college. Five years ago, I suffered a stroke. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with MS. Since that time, I've lost the use of one leg, one eye, and some of my cognitive abilities. Up until the time of my illness I had agreat job, and my wife and I were raising our two children while living the 'American Dream'. Since that time, I've learned one important thing; there is no help for middle class Americans when they need it.
I am totally disabled now. My disability is $1400 a month, which I am very thankful for. My wife works at a local school as the head custodian, full time (mostly for insurance). Her health insurance for our family is a little over $600 a month. At the end of the month, after insurance and taxes, she brings home a little over $500 a month. My medications, just with co-pays are around $300 every month, not to mention the numerous doctor trips that are necessary each month. Lord forbid when someone else in the family has an illness.
So, as you can see, money is very tight here. However, because I have worked hard my whole life, paid taxes, was fortunate enough to purchase a home (which I am still paying for), and purchase a couple of cars, social services said that my wife and I make too much money for any assistance. So, I've come to realize, there is no assistance for disabled, middle class Americans.
I'm not complaining about my disabilities. That is in God's hands and I accept whatever God gives me and I try to bring the positive out of it. What really gets to me, however, is that my family is being punished because I have worked hard my entire life and have tried to give them the best home that I could. MS has made a prison for me in my own body but it has also, at times, made a prison for my whole family in our own home. I love my children and my wife more than anything in the world and just as you; I try to give them the best quality of life that I can. What I have been seeking is a little assistance, but it seems that there's no help available. If I were dirt poor, I could get all of the help I needed. If I were rich, I wouldn't need any help at all. Since we are a working family, trying to do things the right way, we seem to be punished for it.
I am not eligible for the new prescription drug plan that the president has developed. I cannot get food stamps or fuel assistance of any kind. Where is the reasoning in all of this? My daughter has been working since she was 14 years old trying to help. Much of her childhood has been stolen, but I am so very proud of her. I've written numerous co-operations to ask about grants and support. They have all declined me. Now, I am asking you...A‚ … is there any help for middle class Americans, such as myself? Is the government just set up for the very poor and the very rich?
By M. Crews
Virginia
END-------------------------
The middle-class of this country are feeling the squeeze. Wages and real purchasing power are down. Interest rates are on the rise. Gas and home heating prices are going through the roof. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing at an alarming rate. Two, hard working people in a household, can no longer keep up with the basics. Personal debt has many tettering on the edge.
While our government officials and federal workers have their own federal pension plan, the rest of us pay into Social Security. While they give themselves multiple salary increases to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars annually, minimum wages are kept at just over $5.00 per hour for twenty years.
I know the war on terror is important. Safety must be the number one priority but, we cannot overlook the other problems facing this country while terrorism gets every minute of our government's attention. People still need jobs. They still have to educate their children, and yes, many still have no health insurance or sub-standard insurance. They are one paycheck away from financial devastation.
Gov. Warner cares about healthcare. That's why he was a founding partner in the Virginia Healthcare Foundation, an organization that has served over 600,000 under-insured Virginians. That's why when his predecessors allowed the feds to come dangerously close to revoking federal funds intended for Virginia's uninsured children because they'd rather give it back to Washington than see needy children get it, Gov. Warner stepped in. As a result, his FAMIS Healthcare Plan for Virginia, enrolled 131,000 or 97% of all eligible children.
Gov. Warner chaired the National Governors Association's Report to Congress on Medicaid Reform. He understands the problems facing working people. Yet, I am posting one man's story on this blog to remind him that although he has helped thousands of Virginians, tens of thousands here in Virginia still need help. Across America, tens of millions are one sickness away from losing everything they've worked for all their lives.
Gov. Warner...when you are President of the United States, I ask you to please fix America's healthcare system. If anyone can tackle this problem, you can. If we all have to pitch in, ask us. Challenge this country to not allow the status quo to continue. We will rise to the occassion when our leaders stand up and ask us to.
Here is just one family's story:
I am a 43-year-old male with a beautiful wife of twenty years. I have two wonderful children, a 16-year-old son, who is a sophomore in high school, and a 19-old daughter who is a sophomore in college. Five years ago, I suffered a stroke. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with MS. Since that time, I've lost the use of one leg, one eye, and some of my cognitive abilities. Up until the time of my illness I had agreat job, and my wife and I were raising our two children while living the 'American Dream'. Since that time, I've learned one important thing; there is no help for middle class Americans when they need it.
I am totally disabled now. My disability is $1400 a month, which I am very thankful for. My wife works at a local school as the head custodian, full time (mostly for insurance). Her health insurance for our family is a little over $600 a month. At the end of the month, after insurance and taxes, she brings home a little over $500 a month. My medications, just with co-pays are around $300 every month, not to mention the numerous doctor trips that are necessary each month. Lord forbid when someone else in the family has an illness.
So, as you can see, money is very tight here. However, because I have worked hard my whole life, paid taxes, was fortunate enough to purchase a home (which I am still paying for), and purchase a couple of cars, social services said that my wife and I make too much money for any assistance. So, I've come to realize, there is no assistance for disabled, middle class Americans.
I'm not complaining about my disabilities. That is in God's hands and I accept whatever God gives me and I try to bring the positive out of it. What really gets to me, however, is that my family is being punished because I have worked hard my entire life and have tried to give them the best home that I could. MS has made a prison for me in my own body but it has also, at times, made a prison for my whole family in our own home. I love my children and my wife more than anything in the world and just as you; I try to give them the best quality of life that I can. What I have been seeking is a little assistance, but it seems that there's no help available. If I were dirt poor, I could get all of the help I needed. If I were rich, I wouldn't need any help at all. Since we are a working family, trying to do things the right way, we seem to be punished for it.
I am not eligible for the new prescription drug plan that the president has developed. I cannot get food stamps or fuel assistance of any kind. Where is the reasoning in all of this? My daughter has been working since she was 14 years old trying to help. Much of her childhood has been stolen, but I am so very proud of her. I've written numerous co-operations to ask about grants and support. They have all declined me. Now, I am asking you...A‚ … is there any help for middle class Americans, such as myself? Is the government just set up for the very poor and the very rich?
By M. Crews
Virginia
END-------------------------
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