I have heard of those on the right who complain about health care rationing in other
advanced nations. I thought that I should point out that health care rationing takes place
here in America for many people every day. I am one example.
A couple of days ago, I had one of the worst asthma attacks of my life. I woke up and could not breathe. A second or two later, I started trying to gasp. After that, I could not even gasp. Nothing. No air went into my lungs. And that lasted for more than 10 seconds. I was certain I was going to die.
I have allergy triggered asthma. And despite my academic and teaching credentials and references, Governor Rick Perry's Texas has not created any jobs for me. They have gutted teaching jobs. I have no insurance. Additionally, I have allergy induced asthma.
Previously, when I had insurance, I was on nasonex and advair. My asthma was well controlled. However, now I have no insurance. Without sufficient income, I cannot go to my doctor to get prescriptions since a doctor's visit is too expensive and I have no insurance. And even if I did go, my medications that were working for me, advair and nasonex, cost more than $500.00 a month without insurance. So, I have been going without them. And that night, I nearly died as a result.
Asthma is quite serious and I had tried other asthma medications without success until advair. I am looking into alternatives for them now. Advair and nasonex were working well for me and it would have been better if I had been able to stay on them since not all medicines are effective for all patients. And even if I try some alternative, I would not have a script for it.
The point of this is not about me. I do not want pity and I am not asking for help. This is the story for many Americans. It is not right.
It is not fair. And it costs 18,000 Americans or more their lives. This is why we need
Single Payer, Medicare for All.
Just to be clear, I did recently get a temporary job which starts next week. And I do what I can to earn income in lieu of a steady job.