How crazy it is to me that my “I am ObamaCare” image has gone so viral. Especially three months after initially posting it! The other day, it made it’s way onto MoveOn.org and today, it’s on DailyDot.com
You can read the article here.
I’m amazed and excited to find my simple image is making such huge political waves. That’s amazing. I hope it helps change some people’s minds on the topic of heath care reform in this country.
Just a small plug…while PCIP has been a lifesaver to me, I still have over $10,000 in co-pays and medical bills. I’m desperately trying to pay each provider something every month but I was laid off from my job because they would not hold the position while I recovered from surgery.
So I rely on my small jewelry business right now for my income. I also have a donation link to help with my bills. If even a 1/4 of the people who share this image and story donated a single dollar, I could easily pay off all my medical bills.
Anyway, thanks for reading and sharing!!
Donation Shop: http://PhoenixFunds.etsy.com
My Shop: http://PhoenixFireDesigns.etsy.com
Ms. Turner. I saw your photograph today for the first time and it has ignited quite the debate among my friends and I. I know this may be somewhat peronal, but would you mind sharing a rough figure on how much you’ve received in doantions towards your medical bills?
I ask because I’ve taken the position that many of the people who are posting your photograph haven’t actually taken the next step and made an actuall donation to help you.
From May – August, I did not have insurance and spent about $1,500 out of pocket as a cash patient on office visits and medications. Then my PCIP insurance came into effect August 1st. It is $237/month in premiums. I’ve paid monthly from August through January so far. ($1,422) I had to meet a $1,000 deductible (which I did) first out of pocket. (Which was separate from the cash payment amounts since the insurance was not retroactive.) Then I pay 20% co-pay of all charges as well. I’ve been making payments to all my providers monthly and I currently owe about $8,000 total between my OB/GYN ($600), my primary doctor ($200), labs ($250), anesthesiologist ($500), the ER Physicians ($1,000), the hematologist ($1,000), Radiologist ($200), and the hospital ($4,200). This is after having raised $2,600 I needed in pre-op expenses and co-pays as well.
So in donations, my shop sales, garage sales and other fundraising efforts, we’ve spent about $4,000 since May 30th on medical bills/expenses. And I have about $8,000 left in medical debt. I write out ten checks every month toward the individual providers to try and chip away at the bills. It’s all I can do.
The numbers are staggering especially given that my job laid me off when they would not hold the position for me during my surgical recovery.