The Right to Buy Pants

Today I should be in a better mood, after all, I have the day off from work. But alas, it's raining outside and I don't have anything planned besides babysitting the kids. My wife hates when I say I'm babysitting our kids. I guess I'm exerting direct parental control over my kids today.

I feel like I should write about health care. Well, I'm not not going to say much about it, except that it will hurt providers if more people sign up for some kind of "public option". The reason is the "public option" will likely pay Medicare rates, and who can live on that? Last year the Missouri Hospital Association was pushing this program where more Missourians could sign up and gain coverage through Medicaid. This was somehow supposed to be a boost to hospitals, who otherwise were seeing these patients as self pay. I opposed it, on principal. It's not worth dealing with all of Missouri's stupid Medicaid regulations to be paid 22 cents on the dollar (if you're lucky). Like right now...oh never mind. I was going to talk about the convoluted way you have to bill the drugs a Medicaid patient receives in the hospital, but this paragraph is too long already.

Let's talk about pants. I did buy some over the weekend-two pairs of jeans, dungarees. Why would I buy jeans? Well, I recognize that in this culture I live in there are many instances where jeans are quite appropriate, and I didn't have any that didn't have big holes in the knees.

The first pair I picked are Levis 501 button fly. I know, I didn't think I could wear those either, but I bought a size bigger than what I normally wear, and they actually fit. The second pair are made by Vans, the skateboarding shoe company. I thought they only made shoes. Who knew? At any rate, they were a size bigger also.

So, maybe I'm fatter now. Since I was 19 or 20 I've worn 32/32, but recently I've bumped the waist up to 34. But here's the thing, I'm pretty sure I'm not taller, yet I've also had to bump the inseam up to 34 as well. This is not just my jeans, is all the pants I buy. I feel like when my stats are recorded they'll have to put an asterisk beside my pants size earlier in my career. "*Pre modern era pants size."

This went a little long. Sorry. But that's how it is once I start talking about pants.

Open Letter to Medicaid Recipients

Dear Medicaid Recipients,

The health care reform debate is heating up and I wonder if you really care. I know you already have "universal coverage," so the lively town hall discussions may not seem apropros to you. When people talk about "affordable health care coverage," you may not know what they are talking about, as you receive your health care coverage for free.

This may or may not get you interested in the health care debate going on around the country, but as it turns out, your coverage is not free. It is funded by thousands of tax paying citizens from all across the nation. There are many, many folks who earn income and see the government take a portion of it to fund your health care. Your health care is also provided for, in part, by the professionals and businesses where you seek treatment. Each one of them has to take a drastic cut in their reimbursement when they bill the state for your care. The Medicaid reimbursement does not cover their costs.

There are many Medicaid recipients who are not comfortable receiving this benefit from the state, and many who are probably embarrassed when they have to pull our their Medicaid cards when seeking treatment. This embarrassment is not necessary, but it is understandable. For some there is a stigma attached to being on any kind of welfare program.

If you find yourself on Medicaid, by all means use your benefits, that's why they are there. There is no sense in going through the application process, getting qualified, and then not accessing care. You should do everything you can to keep you and your family healthy. Though many people believe it's a shame that we have to rely on the government to make sure you have health coverage, verses relying on family, a church community, or a privately paid for health plan through a group or employer, no one would deny that you shouldn't utilize your tax payer funded plan if you have it.

Besides seeking the care you need, there is one thing I encourage you, and every other patient to do when going to the doctor or hospital. Please be gracious. In light of everything, please be thankful that you will likely walk out of the hospital owing nothing, even after receiving a high dollar test. There are many patients who pay an insurance premium every month, and will still owe a high deductable on that same test. Legally you may be entitled to your Medicaid coverage, but it would be a stretch to say you deserve it. No one should ever treat you with disrespect. You should receive the same caring and customer service as everyone else, but please be sure to return that kindness.

Perhaps one day we'll all have the same health ID card and no one will ever have to worry about being treated differently because of his coverage. Until then, take care.

Sincerely,

kenkenkenamerica