The number of uninsured in Pennsylvania continues to grow …

I am 51 years old, college educated, and a lifelong tax payer. I have worked all my life, since I was sixteen in fact. In 2007, I, like millions of other hard working Americans, through no fault of my own, lost my job. I have been unable to secure FT employment since. Consequently, I also lost my health care insurance after exhausting COBRA and could not afford the 598.00 a month premium.

I applied for and was denied coverage by BOTH AETNA and individual Blue Cross, the monopoly that owns health insurance in Pennsylvania, I can find no other choice here in PA for a major medical policy.

Desperate, I applied for Medicaid. I was denied this coverage since I have a pittance of savings and receive unemployment. I was about 250.00 a month over the allowed income and told I would have to deplete evey penny in my retirements savings in order to apply again. I was directed to PA's alternitve Basic Care program for those like me, who are outside of the welfare requirement and cannot get affordable coverage from either of the ONLY insurance companies in PA.

As suggested by PA's Dept. of Welfare, I then applied for Adult Basic. Adult Basic is run by…you guessed it, Blue Cross…and is Pennsylvania’s answer to the health care crisis and crowded ER’s.

Ah yes, the Modern ER … a place where people with no money and no access to a doctor go for their basic health care needs. Today’s ER, people waiting for hours, days…. just to see a doctor for the sniffles or a bladder infection. I have been there and can attest to the people waiting, not emergencies, but without seeing a doctor, certain to become an emergency. Mostly middle aged people, working people, one's with no isurance at work, not making enough to buy individual policies, or, like me people who at some point had an illness and are now basically blackballed by the insurance giants.

Our ER’s, so crowded with the uninsured who are simply seeking basic medical care causing slow downs in service to those that are truly in a health emergency … and sometimes … the more seriously ill die waiting …

When I applied for Adult Basic, I was informed that there is a waiting list of approximately two years to be considered for the very low cost program. However, while I waited my turn, I was offered a “low cost” alternative managed by … who else, Blue Cross. Because they were contracted with the state they could not deny me as they did before, for a pre existing condition, an imaginary one, I had Lyme's disease many years ago and I am 100% cured. But because I had the audacity to seek treatment, I am not banned from the roles of Blue cross and Aetna.

I accepted the “low cost” alternative as it was the only option available to me to get on the two year wait for the basic care. For this low cost Blue Cross managed program, the monthly premium was $326.00, not all that “low cost” to someone out of work and on unemployment.

Nevertheless, I was grateful to have this coverage. At least it would keep me out of the waiting room of the local ER and alive. I have been on it for 5 months and once again my "insured" status is in jeopardy.

Several days ago I received a notice from Blue Cross. I was advised that because of the lacking of "funds," )Did I tell you Blue Cross reported record profit and is paying HUGE salaries and bonuses to its exec's?) the premium for this “low cost” alternative offered by Pennsylvania will be going up 80% as of March 1, 2010.

Yes, you read that right, as of March 1, my monthly premium for the answer to the uninsured in Pennsylvania will increase to over $600.00 a month. This is an individual policy, a policy for ONE person that is not ill and is in fact pretty healthy for her age. I do not smoke, never smoked, I have not been ill since the Lyme disease incident over four years ago, I just had an annual exam with results that show low blood pressure, excellant cholestrol, normal weight, no chronic disease, need no regular medication, etc.. During my life, I have went years without seeing a doctor, yet I must pay over 600 a month for heaht insurance? This is not an all inclusive insurance either, there are considerable out of pocket costs and exclusions, like no prescription coverage, no mental health (which I may need when they are done with me…)

Needless, to say, still on unemployment, I cannot afford to pay over $600.00 a month for basic health care coverage. Like many others, my employment expires in March for good, all extensions exhausted. Despite my decades of expereince and college education, there is not even the prospect of a job, ANY job, let alone one with health insurance benefits, in sight.

I am not only speaking for myself here, but also for the thousands of Pennsylvanians who undoubtedly received this same letter. The thousands, who like me, will not be able to pay this disgraceful increase and will return to the ever growing pool of the uninsured.

What are we, the uninsured masses, supposed to do? Is there any help to be had? As for me, and there are thousands and thousands of “ME’s…” the prospects for any assistance from our fearless leaders appears dim. I am 51 with no job possibility in sight. Years away from medicare, if there is even any medicare when i get there…

Soon my last unemployment extension will end. I will no doubt use up the last of my pitiful life savings to live… and then what? I will be 52, unemployed, broke, uninsured, and maybe soon, displaced into the street or on some unlucky relative/friend's doorstep.

How is it that after working full time some thirty-five years, I face my fifties unemployed and uninsured?? I raised my son as a single parent, never applied or recived any welfare, I worked…. Later, I obtained a college degree, one I am still paying for in student loan debt, I paid my taxes, kept insurance coverage on my son, my car, myself, I tried to do the right things … Why do I now face such dismal prospects?

This is not only my story, it is the story of millions, I am not alone, but we, the uninsured, as a group, are clearly alone… I expect I will be uninsured for a while, maybe until I reach Medicare age or until I die of some illness that preventive care might have staved off.

In between, I, like countless others will invariably suffer from assorted health care issues that simple medical attention might alleviate, even prevent, but for we could only obtain it.

At 51, I, like countless others, have no job, and soon … no health care insurance. “WE” … will have NO access to basic health care and “WE” will face increased health risks and early death, all for the want of a doctor, a screening test, or a simple pill…

Good health … something those on capital hill take for granted. I bet Mr. Clinton is thanking his lucky starts he is not one of us…

Good health, a thing so basic and all so important to living a happy and productive life. A thing so important that I made sure my child and I had it most of our lives.
A simple thing that now I simply cannot obtain.

At 51, just at a time in life where preventive care is most important, I will not have access to even the most basic of health care. How many years will I lose watching my grandson grow up because I cannot obtain the health care I need, a thing that all human beings need?

How many years might I suffer some malady that could otherwise be diagnosed and treated with simple medical attention, a pill, a blood test? How much will it cost in the end? Cost me? Cost YOU? Cost US?

Let's hope I don't slip on the ice and break something, becuase without insurance, I may not be able to afford a cast, cruthes, a doctor.

Thank you to our elected leaders in Washington, thank you Pennsylvania, and a special thank you to all of the uninformed or unconcerned mobs who rallied so viciously against health care reform. Oh, and congratulations to the health insurance machine of America alive, well, and more powerful than ever. To all the insurance company exec's who turn thier head to the masses of uninsured…. please do enjoy your salaries, comfortable lives, and good health …After all, it's not your problem.

To the medical professionals who try so hard… especially the emergency room staffs in Pennsylvania …please do get ready as your workload is about to increase tenfold.

Thank you for reading.
Cynthia M. Jama, Just another uninsured statistic…