They eliminated pre-existing conditions and maximum lifetime payments for health insurance, so that's not nothing.

But they failed to pass a public option which means health insurance companies have a captive audience for their rent-seeking.

And the Democrats still just talk about getting people affordable "coverage" and not affordable "care."

And hospitals are still understaffed and mental health care has six month waiting lists.

Aetna pulled out of my county for five months. I ended up in a ICU for three days, which is about a $50,000 bill.

So now I'm on the hook for an $8,000 out of network deductible.

Fuck U.S. health insurance.

$500 is nothing. My son fell and hit his head and had a small seizure from the fall.. took him to the ER, ct scan, medical exam, anti nausea medication, costed $750 out if pocket AFTER insurance. It was like a $3k medical bill before insurance. For like 2 hours at the ER and a scan... it's ridiculous.

Mostly they just get sick and die.

Traveller insurance can often offset it.

It's NOT like any other insurance.

Case in point: I rolled into the hospital with a sore arm. X-rays and an arm cast. But I left my wallet at home because my ride showed up early. "just phone down with your health number, if you could, so we can update the right file. Thanks!". 0$

Non-US case2: I felt a wave of dizziness on the way to work and almost browned out while driving. Pulled over. It passed and I drove 2 blocks to the hospital. Related my story and spent 8 hours in test after test, room after room. I got the full workup. $0

Non-US case 3: my dear friend collapsed while this wife was out getting Starbucks. Dumbstruck and in pain. He could only speed dial her number: 911 was too complex. She does 911 and races home (xkr-s) as the first ambulance arrives and lets them in. They stabilize while the specialized cardiac bus is arriving. "Follow us in. Look. We're gonna try for surrey but if he crashes we'll divert to rch(trauma center). We're gonna hit the lights, siren and punch it. Don't feel you need to-- [spots jaguar idling] okay. So keep up only if it's safe. We're going." SGH spotted something, not sure. Admitted for obs. Something was something, so it was a hot and loud bus to RCH anyway because it was serious and if he coded in traffic it would kill him. Heat up the trauma center o-r on a Sunday morning to apply 5 stents and prevent death by Widowmaker heart attack. He lives. Goes home in 2 weeks. $0

We're not even paying monthly premiums anymore. But I would. I'm at the top end of the income-based sliding scale and I'll pay it every damned month.

US example: dude rolls into wrong hospital while unconscious after soccer collision. Concussion. Tylenol. "Go home. Don't fall asleep". $80k(trauma center)+$10(Tylenol).

My US example: IT. Great insurance as they like us (Unix dev). Northgate Hospital in WA as I'm an H1b imm'grint takin-yer-jerb. Roll in for a simple procedure to alleviate spinal pressure when a sinus (not that kind) isn't draining by itself. Advise the doc it's a common thing for me, and a local and a horse-needle will get it back in line. Doc lays in with a scalpel and butchers me. Charges $500 for the pleasure but the invoice of arbitrary charges I didn't have to pay was insane. Came home when my first h1 was up. Not looking back.

Americans have normalized low-key medical fear and avoidance that they don't realize; and they are missing chances to catch things before it costs them their house or their life; and defending medical-induced bankruptcy (which can't be discharged through bankruptcy) while completely blind to the fact that no other g8 is this objectively cruel to its own people.