By Olivia LaRosa, May 24, 2013
Here is an example of what a health care system that really actually takes care of people’s health might do for the “health” of the Social Security Disability system.
My original injury occurred in January of 1982. In order to manage the injuries, I underwent six operations: 4 on my left knee, and 2 on my right leg. I had medical insurance that covered these surgeries. These surgeries kept me ambulatory 80% of the time.
Doctors warned me that further surgeries would be useless. My future consisted of managing the continuing deterioration of both legs. Therefore, it was not beneficial for me to have to move fifteen times in fifteen years. This sad sequence of events resulted from my return to college at the age of 47, my move to San Francisco to attend UC Hastings College of the Law at 51, and subsequent changes in circumstances.
Now, my day is built around the amount of time that I am able to walk or bend over without significant pain. I walk a bit slower than the average and hew to level surfaces. Most days, you wouldn’t notice anything wrong with me.These measures enable me to walk without assistance outdoors about half the time.
Once a week or so, I feel strong enough to take a mile walk. Mostly, I use my cane, which protects my knee and foot from twists and bumps.
For nearly two years, I was largely unable to walk without a cane. Constitutionals were out of the question. This forced immobility resulted in pneumonia in the spring of 2011. My relationship faltered, then died.
When I ran errands or went to appointments, I suffered injuries and exhaustion. Often, I spent two days in the recliner after a journey.
Now, with the help of friends and family, I am feeling better. They helped me purchase a used mobility scooter, which allows intercity travel with a minimum of discomfort.
For seven of the last ten years, I have been without health insurance, and therefore without health care.
I know that you have heard all about how Medi-Care and Medi-Cal take care of people without other insurance. Please let me explain how it works in real life.
My relationship partner paid for my medical insurance out of pocket for three years. That ended on December 31, 2012. I called Medi-Cal two months before that to ask what I need do to receive coverage and treatment. The clerk told me that all I need do is report to them when the coverage ended. Now, five months later, I am assured I have an appointment with a primary care physician on October 17, 2013 at 3:15PM.
If I had decent, regular medical care, I may not have been debilitated for the last 7 years. For example, I was too disabled to file for disability benefits. I filed once, in October of 2009, but the Administration claims that I did not finish the application. I was unable to file again until November of 2011. This meant that I exceeded the application deadline by two years. I will be happy to explain, but not here.
If I had decent, regular medical care I might be working now instead of spending my days trying to navigate an impossibly complex system.
Therefore, if this article is true, American taxpayers would be well-served to assure Medi-Care for all. Then people like me might not end up jobless and disabled. We might have been able to take care of our health better and need SSDI at a later age.
Average Age For SSDI Recipients Reaches 53, Allsup Reports
1. This is a press release. Therefore additional research is called for to authenticate their claim. After all, everyone knows that the PR and Marketing Departments are also known as the Lying Departments. However, for the moment, let’s pretend it’s real.
