Eeeeeeeeeeek

buffalogal is at the hospital's ER. I dropped her off, and there was little reason to make everyone wait with her -- especially with the moods Conor has been in these days.

Still, it is a disquieting feeling just dropping her off and not being there. I have become so used to accompanying her on every errand. Being the "eyes" of the family usually neccesitates me being there.

For those that don't read her journal, she had a series of nasty falls a few days ago. Most of the pains have subsided, except for a pain in her wrist, and the one that concerns us, her chest.

We could not get into the Community Health Center, as they are overrun as usual, and don't have the money for one of those immediate care clinics, so it was to the ER which will be more expensive in the long run, but doesn't need money up front.

Our insurance sucks. All we have for ourselves is MediCare since we are both on Social Security Disability. Our meager award puts us over the maximum amount that would qualify us for Medicaid. We almost had to drop Medicare, but thankfully, the State of Wyoming will be picking up the premiums for our Medicare. Next month however, we are paying the premiums (they are taking it out of our social security checks) for the past two months. We will be reimbursed in a few months, but next month is going to suck. I forsee much Ramen in my future for August.

I still find it hard to believe that I live in the only first world nation on the planet without socialized health care. When anything comes up for buffalogal and I, it is an amazing hardship. We are too "rich" to get the State Insurance (I'd like to see those who drew the line live on what we do), and too poor to pay for our own health care. We really fall in the middle, and get lost.

I hope my wife is OK, I am anxious waiting for her call.

The state of the chest

buffalogal is home from the ER. It turns out that she has brusied her chest wall. Not too serious, but hurts like hell.

And to continue the theme of the state of healthcare, we can't afford the cheapest, generic prescription that they gave her. $40. We only had $80 to last until the end of the month. So, we spent $30 on food things instead, and $20 cash for the new Long John Silvers. We might skip LJS, but its been over a year since we have had fish & chips.

So, I think I will write a letter to the Govenor tonight, telling him about a family in his state that falls through the cracks when it comes to health care. I am thinking of begining the letter by asking to borrow $40.