I'm in a similar boat. I've been out of work and without health insurance for nearly a year now and have had several occasions when I really wish I could have seen a doctor, but can't afford to pay out of pocket. Trying desperately to find a job, but the pickings are slim - lots of interviews, no offers so far. My partner makes a better than average salary, but she's supporting us both completely and that doesn't leave much left over at the end of the month. Her employer does offer partner benefits, but they aren't cheap, and because our union isn't federally recognized, the money her employer spends towards health coverage for me is counted as taxable income and would bump her into a higher tax bracket (you married straight folks don't have to worry about that. nice perk, eh?). Even if I went to a place that allows patients to pay on a sliding scale, they look at household income, and for what she makes, I'd get charged the full fee. Never mind that when all is said and done, we MIGHT have about $300 wiggle room in our budget. Same goes for other benefits like SNAP and whatnot. We could REALLY use some help in getting by until I can find a job, but I can't get any, and it just sucks.

Sometimes, I really wish I could.

Mexico? I mean, like $75 for the passport, $20 for a doctor visit, $50 for specialists, cheeeeap meds, and the service is great. Any x rays or tests done are cheap and quick, especially if you aren't right on the border. What costs tens of thousands here costs hundreds there. Just saying. I get everything taken care of there.

That last line should say "you and I shouldn't get healthcare." Fuck those people for being uncompassionate idiots. Sorry can't type when pissed. :(

First, this is a thread asking for support, advice, ideas, not asking for opinions on how shitty you think she is just for being sick. She is willing to and probably wants to work, and has stated reasons she can't. She isn't personally drawing ssi. Don't be a douche about your opinions if you must share them. Secondly, people on disability for headaches can be valid. I get migraines so bad I can barely see, stand, or hear, let alone work. Right now I work, but I have taken anywhere from a day to a month and a half off because my head hurt so bad I was seeing colors and falling down. I am a safety risk. I am still young though and able to fight it. I will not stand in judgement, because I know that one day I could be in that position. You should do the same, and be thankful for an able body and sound mind.

hmmm Someone didn't read most of my post but that's to be expected I suppose.
I don't have any issues in my head and I'm managing the ones in my body just fine. And YES I absolutely think people should work when they can, don't say they "simply don't have time" to work and should not expect me to pay for their healthcare. Call me every name you want if it makes you feel better.

working, of course :)

i can not believe how rotten to the core some of the comments are on here! you are all supposed to be grown ups? and to the author of this post, move to the u.k where i am, yay for the national health service! the u.s think they are so superior but at least we wouldn't let a person suffer for the sake of money.......

I have a Canadian friend who refuses to seek treatment in Canada for her debilitating issues. She crosses the border every day to see American doctors and has American health coverage. Getting treated in Canada would take over 2 years to even be SEEN by the specialist she needs. She doesn't have that kind of time. It doesn't work for everybody.

I really do see it as such a better option to move to the uk or something like that, but I can barely afford a months worth of meds, much less a trip to an overseas country and getting settled there. I really have considered it though. But minimum wage here doesn't cover that kind of thing.

I am a Canadian and I am happy with the health care I get. My hubby had to get an MRI and he waited 2 months to get it, and that was when there was a shortage of isotopes in Canada. It wasn't an emergency and if it was it would have been immediate. I have had 2 children and have no bills to pay for the hospital stays or anything I needed during the births. If I have a problem I see a doctor and if that leads to a specialist it takes 1 month to see them even if they are booked solid.

If it takes someone more than 16 weeks and it needs immediate care and being seen asap is needed go to the hospital, they have specialists on staff for that reason. This Canadian friend of yours needs to see their primary care physician and explain and ask for a referral asap because I can guarantee that it will be within 16 weeks minimum.

How can you say that healthcare is not a right? That is incredibly cruel and shortsighted. Our constitution guarantees us the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"; how can we have life without healthcare if we become ill?
How can anyone even suggest withholding healthcare from someone because they are unable to work? What you are saying is akin to telling someone that if they have no use to society, then they should go crawl off somewhere and die.
The problem with our healthcare system is very simple, it is a matter of capitalism run amok. We are the only country where pharmaceutical companies are allowed to spend billions of dollars on advertising, which is then passed on to the consumer. Pharmaceuticals should not be a competitive, money-making machine; it should be a government sponsored program which everyone benefits from. No one should be so damn wealthy from the sufferings of everyone else.
Secondly, my husband--and everyone else on SSDI--has earned their right to be on it, it is nothing more than early retirement for the disabled. People on SSDI have worked and paid their taxes to earn it. I was eligible for SSDI years ago, but didn't take it, because I thought my life might get better. It did not and now my credits have expired. I am eligible for SSI, but will not bother to apply because my husband being on SSDI, I will not benefit at all because he makes too much money. So he gets to get Medicare in a few months and I still get nothing because the system is flawed. I have worked, I work at home taking care of numerous people, but I get nothing.
Moving to the UK or Canada is not easy, I have looked into it, there is a huge, complicated process that can take years to get citizenship and receive healthcare benefits. No other country is like the US, that is, we let thousands of Mexicans, illegally immigrated here every year get Medicaid, yet people like me cannot get any help at all.

Oh, and my employer doesn't offer health insurance either, and as you can see by my budget, I couldn't afford it anyway. Go figure.

if you are disabled, I'd apply for disability and you'll get medicare. it's there for people like you. I urge you to apply. You will get extra income (may not be much) but you will also get medicare. if you have never worked, you get the very minimum they can give you, which might be around 600 something a month. But that 600 could pay for bills. But what is most important, you'd get medicare. just an idea. I wish I could offer more advice, but I can't but you'll be in my thoughts

First, very few people do not get back every dime of tax money they have paid in. Second, you cannot apply for SSI and get on Medicare. If you do get SSI, you MIGHT be able to get Medicaid. If you are eligible for SSDI (you have to have worked 5 out of 10 years), you will have to wait for two years to be eligible for Medicare and will probably make too much to get Medicaid in the meantime--unless you have kids. If you were disabled before the age of 22, then you might also qualify for SSDI based on your parents income.

What is your disability? Do you have substantial documentation? You cannot get on Medicare because you are pregnant, if you are poor enough, you might be eligible for Medicaid.