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I received some good health news yesterday, so I've decided to tell my story and why we need #Medicare4All. CC: @AOC @BernieSanders Please feel free to use/amplify this story:
I received some good health news yesterday, so I've decided to tell my story and why we need #Medicare4All. CC: @AOC @BernieSanders Please feel free to use/amplify this story:
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On Friday, October 11th of 2019, I almost died. I almost bled out internally from 2 peptic ulcers. I am stupid. I didn't go to the doctor at the first sign of illness and waited almost 5 days until I had to go to the ER.
On Friday, October 11th of 2019, I almost died. I almost bled out internally from 2 peptic ulcers. I am stupid. I didn't go to the doctor at the first sign of illness and waited almost 5 days until I had to go to the ER.
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I'll spare you the gory details on how one finds out they’re internally bleeding from ulcers, but as a public service announcement, you should all really pay attention to your shit. Now you may be saying, are you exaggerating? Did you really "almost die?"
I'll spare you the gory details on how one finds out they’re internally bleeding from ulcers, but as a public service announcement, you should all really pay attention to your shit. Now you may be saying, are you exaggerating? Did you really "almost die?"
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Well, my blood count was around a 6 (average is around 13-14), I needed a two-bag blood transfusion, and the ER doc said if I had not come in and tried to sleep through the night, I may not have woken up, so make of that what you will.
Well, my blood count was around a 6 (average is around 13-14), I needed a two-bag blood transfusion, and the ER doc said if I had not come in and tried to sleep through the night, I may not have woken up, so make of that what you will.
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I was admitted to the hospital that night, had an endoscopy on Sat, and released on Sun, once my blood count was back around an 8.5. Come to find out my ulcers were caused by a bacteria. I was on antibiotics for 2 weeks, iron pills for 2 months, and various PPIs for 3 months.
I was admitted to the hospital that night, had an endoscopy on Sat, and released on Sun, once my blood count was back around an 8.5. Come to find out my ulcers were caused by a bacteria. I was on antibiotics for 2 weeks, iron pills for 2 months, and various PPIs for 3 months.
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I changed by diet substantially. I've lost about 25lbs. I went for a followup endoscopy 3 mos later. Ulcers were healed, but bacteria remained. Back on antibiotics for 2 wks and continued a PPI for an additional 2 wks. Found out yesterday the bacteria is finally cleared. Yay!
I changed by diet substantially. I've lost about 25lbs. I went for a followup endoscopy 3 mos later. Ulcers were healed, but bacteria remained. Back on antibiotics for 2 wks and continued a PPI for an additional 2 wks. Found out yesterday the bacteria is finally cleared. Yay!
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Now for the fun part. As you can imagine, this was not a free endeavor because we live in a dystopian late era capitalistic hellscape. I have a pretty good job allowing me a lower middle-class lifestyle.
Now for the fun part. As you can imagine, this was not a free endeavor because we live in a dystopian late era capitalistic hellscape. I have a pretty good job allowing me a lower middle-class lifestyle.
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My insurance is, less than ideal, but I've never had to use it, so I never thought about it. During enrollment we have CHOICE! So much choice. I have 16 choices and none of them are good. There's shitty versions and less shitty versions.
My insurance is, less than ideal, but I've never had to use it, so I never thought about it. During enrollment we have CHOICE! So much choice. I have 16 choices and none of them are good. There's shitty versions and less shitty versions.
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The best plan has a $2,000 deductible and insurance covers 80% and the worst plan has a $12,000 deductible an insurance covers 70%. CHOICE! Americans love choice! I am a 34-year-old, healthy, cisgender, white dude, so I went with the most cost effective choice.
The best plan has a $2,000 deductible and insurance covers 80% and the worst plan has a $12,000 deductible an insurance covers 70%. CHOICE! Americans love choice! I am a 34-year-old, healthy, cisgender, white dude, so I went with the most cost effective choice.
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My ER + hospital stay + drugs + follow up procedures cost $30K. I paid around $10K out of pocket. Insurance covered some things. Insurance did not cover some things. Who the fuck knows? Luckily, I had been contributing to an HSA for yrs. I paid for all my costs with my HSA.
My ER + hospital stay + drugs + follow up procedures cost $30K. I paid around $10K out of pocket. Insurance covered some things. Insurance did not cover some things. Who the fuck knows? Luckily, I had been contributing to an HSA for yrs. I paid for all my costs with my HSA.
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I consider myself lucky. I think about all the people without insurance or those under insured. Millions of working Americans are uninsured or under insured. Millions do not have well-funded HSAs.
I consider myself lucky. I think about all the people without insurance or those under insured. Millions of working Americans are uninsured or under insured. Millions do not have well-funded HSAs.
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Mine was well funded because I can afford to deposit $50/paycheck for the last 9 years + my company matches a small amount each year. There are so many people in this country a simple peptic ulcer would have bankrupted.
Mine was well funded because I can afford to deposit $50/paycheck for the last 9 years + my company matches a small amount each year. There are so many people in this country a simple peptic ulcer would have bankrupted.
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Or, how many people would have just not gone to the ER, went to sleep and seen what happened? I think about these people a lot. I think about people with worse conditions than mine. I think about those with chronic illnesses.
Or, how many people would have just not gone to the ER, went to sleep and seen what happened? I think about these people a lot. I think about people with worse conditions than mine. I think about those with chronic illnesses.
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This is my way of saying, we need a #M4A. I believed this before my experience. I know this after my experience. 2 peptic ulcers shouldn't almost kill you & then subsequently almost bankrupt you. No one should know what their life is worth. Unfortunately, I know that # now.
This is my way of saying, we need a #M4A. I believed this before my experience. I know this after my experience. 2 peptic ulcers shouldn't almost kill you & then subsequently almost bankrupt you. No one should know what their life is worth. Unfortunately, I know that # now.
