My housemate lost his awesome mom when he was like, 10, because of that. She refused to go to the hospital, and it got infected. Fuck this country.
Comment on How do poor people in the states give birth without money?
Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Have I personally avoided going to the hospital? Absofuckinglutely. Unless I’m in immediate danger of dying I’ll figure it out myself. I’ve superglued more than one nasty cut that probably needed stitches, entirely possible I’ve ignored more than one concussion. Is it smart? Unequivocally and resoundingly not. Do I do it anyway so I can pay my rent? Yep.
orphiebaby@lemm.ee 8 months ago
drphungky@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Definitely same.
For our northern cousins, an illustrative story. I was attacked by a dog and with my arm bleeding everywhere my first call was to my wife to get her to come pick me up because I knew an ambulance would be insanely expensive, and my second call was to insurance to find out if I could go to the hospital instead of urgent care. They sent me to urgent care, where they told me it was the worst attack they’d ever seen that wasn’t on the face.
The kicker is that I even have GOOD insurance, but that’s the reality of not knowing if it’s gonna bankrupt you or be covered or not: hesitation. That’s the reality of having years of habit-forming second-guessing when you had bad insurance, or when with good insurance and a tight budget. Imagine what is like for people with bad or no insurance.
scarabic@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Are you sure you don’t qualify for Medicaid or other public assistance?
Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Yep. I make ok money and have insurance. Things being what they are, rent has skyrocketed over the past couple years. Food seems to be coming down in price but for a while there it was pretty alarming. I haven’t had a significant raise in about 3 years to keep up with cost of living increases. Choices must be made and if life and limb aren’t in immediate danger, I choose to not have a bill of several thousand dollars for something like a few stitches and/or fight with my insurance company over coverage.
moistclump@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I wonder about the effects of having a low grade constant stressor like that. Combine that with at-will employment and gum prevalence and it’s surprising anyone is able to feel secure and get healthy.
Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Purely anecdotal, since I can only draw from my own personal pool, but I don’t have a single friend or colleague who feels even remotely secure in their life. We’re all one emergency away from bankruptcy.
moistclump@lemmy.world 8 months ago
I’m so sorry. I want more for my neighbours.
Naja_Kaouthia@lemmy.world 8 months ago
Again just a personal opinion but I’m loving the change I’ve been seeing lately. More people seem to be standing up for their fellow man and calling for things like universal healthcare. I’ve never seen this much unionization and union positive thinking in my life. I have hope that this attitude of radical individualism is going away and that people are going to pull together for the benefit of all people, not some.
pdxfed@lemmy.world 8 months ago
The effects of having low grade stressor like that, combined with non-federal sick leave nor vacation and predatory corporate labor laws are what you witness in the US every day. Precipitously declining mental health for everyone, reduced social and coping skills. Commonplace violence and rage and incredible rates of anxiety and depression and resultant medication.
Sharkwellington@lemmy.one 8 months ago
Heart disease like irregular heartbeat and stroke. Gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and IBS. Increased susceptibility to illness. Ability to learn/memorize/perceive are reduced. Not to mention the effects of maladaptive coping mechanisms such as drinking, smoking, drugs etc.
Source.