Thanks very much for your input about health insurance.  No question about
it - it's a very sad and screwed-up situation for many in this country.
Again thanks.
Lynne

On 10/20/06, sandra_diehl at med.unc.edu <sandra_diehl at med.unc.edu> wrote:

>

> A few other suggestions to add to what has already been said:

>

> Many communities are served by a local United Way chapter.  Local chapters

> create and maintain community resource directories, with information about

> health and human services that are available in the community, including

> low-cost and free services.  If you call them, they should be able to send

> you a print directory or refer you to a local web directory.

>

> You may also want to contact private insurers and inquire about

> catastrophic-only coverage, which is more affordable and may help avoid the

> bankruptcy issue.

>

> If you've had insurance coverage recently through a former employer, you

> may be eligible for COBRA - which is likely to be expensive but at least

> offers continuous coverage and will help avoid pre-existing conditions

> exclusions.

>

> Finally, for anyone with children, all states offer child health insurance

> coverage for kids (ages 0-18).  This program serves families who don' t

> qualify for Medicaid because their income exceeds eligibility requirements,

> but who cannot afford private insurance.  Your local health department,

> community health center, department of social services, etc. should be able

> to provide more information about enrollment (it's often called SCHIP -

> State Children's Health Insurance Plan).  Sandy

>

>

>

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: Susan Hayden

> Date: Friday, October 20, 2006 11:41 am

> Subject: [WomenLiteracy 605] Re: Health Insurance

> To: The Women and Literacy Discussion List

>

> > Before you think of try the credit card idea, be sure to check

> > on the news laws for bankruptcy. The laws changed in early

> > 2006, and it is not as easy to file a Chapter 7 which allows

> > your bills to "go away".

> > Local health care clinics will be your best bet for a mammogram,

> > call your state's department of health for locations and various

> > programs. Hospitals on the payment plan will take care of x-

> > rays and other emergencies, just be prepared for a long wait.

> > Good luck. The sad reality is the American health care system

> > is failing miserably for all of us.

> > Susan Hayden

> > Adult Services Library Consultant

> > West Virginia Library Commission

> > 1900 Kanawha BLVD, East

> > Charleston, WV 25305

> > haydens at wvlc.lib.wv.us

> > 304-558-3978, ext. 2014

> > FAX: 304-558-1612

> > ----- Original Message -----

> > From: Bertha Mo

> > To: The Women and Literacy Discussion List

> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:59 PM

> > Subject: [WomenLiteracy 601] Re: Health Insurance

> >

> >

> > I used to live in San Francisco and an organization called

> > Public Media that was housed at Fort Mason permitted people such

> > as yourself to sign onto their Kaiser Plan. In many areas, I

> > was just working in Upstate NY, local groups organized a free

> > mamography program for low income folks. I think you need a

> > mamogram every other year if you don't have symptoms or family

> > history.

> > If you have an accident the local emergency room will see you

> > and give you an x-ray and have you pay as you can.

> >

> > Bertie Mo

> >

> > "Muro, Andres" wrote:

> > Usually the county hospital or community health clinics will

> > provide these services. If you get injured, you are entitled to

> > go to an emergency room, get seen and then pay in installment.

> > If there is a county hospital, they will probably work with you

> > on reasonable payments, etc.

> >

> > For mammograms you can probably go to a local health clinic

> > for the indigent. Find the poor neighborhood in your community

> > and ask where the health clinic is. Sign up and you'll get seen.

> > They probably provide breast exams, pap smears, glucose tests,

> > CV screenings, etc. You may have to pay a fee.

> >

> > If you have an expensive disease, get a bunch or credit

> > cards. American express usually gives you a no limit account.

> > Spent them to the limit and declare bankruptcy.

> >

> > As far as free or inexpensive health insurance, there is no

> > such thing anymore, even for people in full time employment.

> > There are huge deductibles, for everything except primary care.

> >

> > Andres

> >

> >

> > -----------------------------------------------------------------

> > -----------

> >

> > From: womenliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:womenliteracy-

> > bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Lynne Feinberg

> > Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 1:01 PM

> > To: womenliteracy at nifl.gov

> > Subject: [WomenLiteracy 597] Health Insurance

> >

> > I have asked at the schools, I have contacted the union

> > (MCCC), I have contacted TESOL. I have Googled everything I can

> > think of Googling. I can't bring myself to believe that there

> > is nothing available, and I know I am not alone in this

> > situation. Does anyone have any ideas for a single,

> > hardworking, low-paid but otherwise not unhappy adjunct

> > community college ESL instructor seeking health insurance?

> > Something I can afford that will allow me to get a yearly

> > mammogram, and an x-ray in case I fall off my bicycle. Here's

> > hoping, and in the meantime feeling much too vulnerable.

> >

> > Thank you,

> > Lynne Feinberg

> > ----------------------------------------------------

> > National Institute for Literacy

> > Women and Literacy mailing list

> > WomenLiteracy at nifl.gov

> > To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please

> > go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/womenliteracy

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > -----------------------------------------------------------------

> > -------------

> >

> >

> > ----------------------------------------------------

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> > WomenLiteracy at nifl.gov

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>

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