I encouraged my sister to write a letter to Conrad, Dorgan and Pomeroy because her situation is exactly the kind of thing we are fighting to solve. I don't know if it will penetrate their thick skulls, but if we don't try we'll never know.
Sentor Conrad, you and Senator Dorgan and Representative Pomeroy have disappointed me. I felt sure that Americans without health care could count on you to help them. I see from your recent statements that I was mistaken.
I am a resident of North Dakota. I am 61, get Social Security as a widow, and work two part time jobs to survive. I had health insurance until I was 59 when I became ill and lost my job. I kept Cobra for 9 months (all that I was allowed in ND) and I am now uninsured. My Cobra payment was just under $400 which I could afford if I was very careful. To continue the most basic coverage with the highest deductible with BCBS would have cost me almost $1000 per month. Basically I would only be covered if I were hit by a meteor.
I have medical conditions which require me to have a dr. appt. and lab tests every month in order to continue my medication. I did that for two months after my Cobra lapsed and received a bill for over $2000. I have stopped my medication and going to the dr. I will probably not survive until I am old enough for Social Security. My house is on a small piece of farmland which has value and prevents me from getting Medicaid. If I sell the land, the house goes with it and I will be homeless. I don't earn enough money to pay rent. A $5000 tax credit will not help me. At the rate insurance premiums are going up, it is a drop in the bucket.
I am the widow of a Vietnam veteran and the mother of a 100% disabled veteran of Afghanistan. I deserved better from ND's congressional delegation. You were supposed to be there to help people like me.
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XXXXXX, ND