I Didn't Pay Before. I Gladly Pay Now.

What on earth could he be referencing now?

Believe it or not, it's health insurance.

Who gladly pays for health insurance?

There was a time in my lifetime when I didn't have health insurance. I had left my parents' home and I was over 18. But in the days of being over 18 and in my early 20s, my health was... well... healthy. For many years I needed no medication for anything. Allergies could be handled with over-the-counter medicines. No organs needed treatments. There were procedures for stubborn constipation, emulsions for diarrhea, gargles for sore throats, treatments for mild burns or cuts, and even preventive measures against things like frostbite or hypothermia.

When I was a student, I had access to the university's clinic. The same holds true for the times when I was in a community college. I worked as an office temporary and during that time I was paid for the hours and days that I had actually worked. No work. No pay. The only time that EVER changed was when I had worked for a company for over a year at the same job with no time off. They allowed me to accrue leave. WOW!

But healthcare was expensive. And that was at a time when the government did not look at me and pass judgement and tell me that I needed to have coverage or I would be charged with a crime. I have seen ads on television for people who were riding the bus because they could not afford car insurance. It's gotten out of hand!

Before I had insurance, I had only gone to an ER once. It was for a burn. I brought ice cubes with me to the ER. I was treated and given a cream and had to cough up something like $100. I was poor and I think I had one credit card with about a $300 credit limit. (I never asked banks to raise my limit for fear that they would run a credit check on me). Just as financial institutions can offer credit increases, so can they also lower limits of credit... or take credit away.

So, now I have a full-time government job. The job comes with a health insurance plan. And every year I can look the plan(s) over and make decisions as to what I want or don't want. Do I need vision checks? Do I need changes in dental? Will my pharmaceutical needs increase? What are the options for mental healthcare?

I still believe that healthcare is priced with overinflated values. I recognize this when I go to the dentist and see what my copayment is in addition to the regular biweekly payments that I make. The dentist charges a buttload of money for the service but accepts my copayment along with what the dental insurance covers. If, however, I were to present without coverage, I would be expected to pay the full, ridiculously high bill.

I'm happy with what I have. I use a large HMO. It has pretty decent coverage in my home state. It also has facilities in the DC area as well as Hawaii. The insurance is recognized if I am out of state and need to see someone somewhere. I am happy to pay for what I have, and I am thankful/grateful that I don't need what I am paying for.