When President Obama promised and signed into law the Affordable Care Act, I was actually relieved. I thought, oh wow, now I can see a doctor and remain healthy. This law had a lot of promises. This program was supposed to bring a brighter future to those who could not afford health care insurance or had no access to it.
So what went wrong?
Let's see. The "affordable" part is based on the wage earner's gross income, not net (net is after taxes and deductions have been taken out). Other expenses the wage earner is responsible for is not figured into the "affordable" insurance. So, if the wage earner is paying $600/month in mortgage or rent, has roughly $250/month in utility bills (gas, electric, water, sewer, trash), and is incurring other expenses such as car maintenance or bus/train fare, these are not figured into the actual living wage the wage earner is making. Therefore, the required-by-law health care insurance is another crippling expense that is forced on the wage earner unless he/she wants to receive a tax penalty of astronomical proportions.
My insurance premiums have shot up from $0 to $75/month in just two years. All I have had in that amount of time is a sluggish thyroid and a case of bronchitis.
I'm having trouble seeing where this is "affordable."
Here in Missouri, we are required by law to purchase automobile insurance (liability is the minimum insurance the state will accept). Mortgage lenders require homeowners to purchase homeowner's insurance if they want a loan. Now, the general public is required to purchase health care insurance. Do you see a pattern here? Insurance companies are raking in millions. That's what I think.
Yes, I get the reasoning behind some of this. Car owners who actually had car insurance were getting into accidents with other car owners who did not have insurance and the offended insurance company was getting stuck with the bill. Car insurance companies were hollering, "Not fair!" I'm not sure why mortgage lenders began requiring insurance. Maybe they were getting tired of being stuck with burned out buildings that they couldn't sell?
The Affordable Care Act was supposed to open up access to health care for those who couldn't get it otherwise. Even with the monthly premium at under $100, I still have to pay a co-pay. While the physician co-pay is a reasonable amount, if I need to see a specialist, it shoots up to $45. Some of these providers charge that much for an office visit even without insurance. So, what am I paying for?
Even if the primary medical care is reasonably affordable, there is still the "extra" medical stuff that doesn't come free. Dental plans are expensive and don't cover anything more than the semi-annual cleanings and x-rays. Fillings are extra. Hope you don't need a tooth pulled, because no one covers that. Eye exams - forget about it. Now, to be fair, Missouri will cover these items for children under 18. You are on your own after that.
So, how are we supposed to get healthy if we can't pay for it? The Affordable Care Act hasn't eased anything for the poor - only made things worse.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Friday, February 12, 2016
Food Pantries and Creative Cooking
In my previous post, I gave you, my readers, a snapshot of my very personal life. Please bear in mind, this is private and personal. I am putting myself out here in the blogosphere in the hopes that someone reading this will know that he/she is not alone. Poverty is, oddly, very isolating, yet there are so many of us. Maybe if we talk amongst ourselves and share ideas, we might be able to come up with a solution or become empowered enough to get the attention of our local government officials. My goal, then, is to create awareness of what it is to be part of this strange thing - The Suburban Poor. With this awareness, maybe we can reach out to one another and create a support system that will find solutions - not just for ourselves, but for others.
Our budget is so tight that it almost doesn't even exist. Not terribly long ago, my weekly grocery bill was over $100. I shopped at Shop N Save because I trusted the merchandise, produce, and felt the prices were fair enough. Schnucks is fine for some things, but I had to watch the sales. At that time, I wasn't especially sold on Aldi. I had tried them a long time ago and wasn't impressed. Little did I know how much all that would change.
I was never comfortable going to food pantries. I always, and still do, felt that the pantries were for people who really needed the help. I didn't want to take anything away from someone who was worse off than me. Well, we are now receiving services from our local food pantry. I have since learned that a patron can visit as many food pantries as she wishes. I was going to the Jewish food pantry and now I'm going to the one run by Ritenour. The Jewish food pantry is fantastic, really. I just felt that I was receiving enough from Ritenour and didn't want to deplete their supplies unnecessarily. As I wait for my turn, I'm astounded at how many people are receiving help from these pantries. It boggles my mind. Is this an accurate picture of the state of our country and our economy? Every volunteer I have met has been more than gracious (although, some have been rather annoying, but we won't get into that here).
Shopping the food pantry is a challenge all by itself. Meal planning on on the spot and at the mercy of whatever is available. Jack is diabetic and, yet, we seem to always receive a big bag filled with sweet rolls and potato chips. The patrons are allowed to shop through the pantry goods and each section has a sign of what your allotment is. Volunteers are nearby to help with questions or make suggestions. Okay, here's where an occasional volunteer can get rather annoying. Produce is often times moldy, half rotten or infested with fruit flies. One volunteer tried to convince me that the gray/green limp thing in her hand was yummy broccoli and I should take it. I'm sorry, lady, if it is so yummy, why don't you eat it! Yuck!
I wish there was a way to work out between the grocery stores and food pantries to create a voucher-type system that would allow food pantry recipients to get actual fresh produce. The grocery stores have to write off their produce losses anyway, so wouldn't this reduce that in some way? Please, someone who is an accounting expert please explore this idea. Not food stamps, per se, but a voucher that allows a pantry recipient to select X pounds of fresh produce each month.
As I mentioned, getting food at the pantry is a challenge in the form of meal planning and cooking. Yes, I love taco casserole, but if ground beef isn't available, I guess I won't be eating taco casserole. Same with taco chips, or salsa, or sour cream, or fresh lettuce. See where I'm going with this? One of our trips to the pantry netted us a can of almond pie filling. Now, what in the heck am I supposed to do with this? It's items like this where I rely heavily on my computer to look up recipes that call for this ingredient. Might be a good thing and an introduction to a new dish. If I have all the remaining ingredients.
Guess I'll be visiting the grocery store. The big stores are out of the question now. Just can't do them anymore. Example: fresh eggs last month were $3.00/dozen (Yes, that's $3.00) at Shop N Save, Schnucks and even Walmart. Aldi and Ruler Foods eggs are less than $1.50/dozen. I'm an Aldi convert now. Aldi must have changed their products, because their stuff is really good. Except for their pizza. Their pizza is nasty. Produce selection isn't as all encompassing as I'm used to with Schnucks and Dierbergs, but the prices are reasonable and the quality is good. The highest I have had to pay at either Aldi or Ruler Foods has been $45. Thanks to the food pantry and exploring these two outlets, my grocery bill went down by $50 to $80 per week. I'm thrilled!
Meals are more creative now. I have about three pounds of white rice I have to figure out what to do with. I still haven't figured out what to do with that can of almond pie filling. But those small stale French bread loaves make great French toast in the morning.
Our budget is so tight that it almost doesn't even exist. Not terribly long ago, my weekly grocery bill was over $100. I shopped at Shop N Save because I trusted the merchandise, produce, and felt the prices were fair enough. Schnucks is fine for some things, but I had to watch the sales. At that time, I wasn't especially sold on Aldi. I had tried them a long time ago and wasn't impressed. Little did I know how much all that would change.
I was never comfortable going to food pantries. I always, and still do, felt that the pantries were for people who really needed the help. I didn't want to take anything away from someone who was worse off than me. Well, we are now receiving services from our local food pantry. I have since learned that a patron can visit as many food pantries as she wishes. I was going to the Jewish food pantry and now I'm going to the one run by Ritenour. The Jewish food pantry is fantastic, really. I just felt that I was receiving enough from Ritenour and didn't want to deplete their supplies unnecessarily. As I wait for my turn, I'm astounded at how many people are receiving help from these pantries. It boggles my mind. Is this an accurate picture of the state of our country and our economy? Every volunteer I have met has been more than gracious (although, some have been rather annoying, but we won't get into that here).
Shopping the food pantry is a challenge all by itself. Meal planning on on the spot and at the mercy of whatever is available. Jack is diabetic and, yet, we seem to always receive a big bag filled with sweet rolls and potato chips. The patrons are allowed to shop through the pantry goods and each section has a sign of what your allotment is. Volunteers are nearby to help with questions or make suggestions. Okay, here's where an occasional volunteer can get rather annoying. Produce is often times moldy, half rotten or infested with fruit flies. One volunteer tried to convince me that the gray/green limp thing in her hand was yummy broccoli and I should take it. I'm sorry, lady, if it is so yummy, why don't you eat it! Yuck!
I wish there was a way to work out between the grocery stores and food pantries to create a voucher-type system that would allow food pantry recipients to get actual fresh produce. The grocery stores have to write off their produce losses anyway, so wouldn't this reduce that in some way? Please, someone who is an accounting expert please explore this idea. Not food stamps, per se, but a voucher that allows a pantry recipient to select X pounds of fresh produce each month.
As I mentioned, getting food at the pantry is a challenge in the form of meal planning and cooking. Yes, I love taco casserole, but if ground beef isn't available, I guess I won't be eating taco casserole. Same with taco chips, or salsa, or sour cream, or fresh lettuce. See where I'm going with this? One of our trips to the pantry netted us a can of almond pie filling. Now, what in the heck am I supposed to do with this? It's items like this where I rely heavily on my computer to look up recipes that call for this ingredient. Might be a good thing and an introduction to a new dish. If I have all the remaining ingredients.
Guess I'll be visiting the grocery store. The big stores are out of the question now. Just can't do them anymore. Example: fresh eggs last month were $3.00/dozen (Yes, that's $3.00) at Shop N Save, Schnucks and even Walmart. Aldi and Ruler Foods eggs are less than $1.50/dozen. I'm an Aldi convert now. Aldi must have changed their products, because their stuff is really good. Except for their pizza. Their pizza is nasty. Produce selection isn't as all encompassing as I'm used to with Schnucks and Dierbergs, but the prices are reasonable and the quality is good. The highest I have had to pay at either Aldi or Ruler Foods has been $45. Thanks to the food pantry and exploring these two outlets, my grocery bill went down by $50 to $80 per week. I'm thrilled!
Meals are more creative now. I have about three pounds of white rice I have to figure out what to do with. I still haven't figured out what to do with that can of almond pie filling. But those small stale French bread loaves make great French toast in the morning.
Friday, February 05, 2016
St. Louis' Suburban Poor
Many, many people have commented on today's economy. The President, in his State of the Union Address, seemed to feel that the economy has made a turn-around. Well, respectfully stated, I don't agree.
The next few blog posts will be addressing my own experiences with being in what is called "The Working Poor" or as I call it, "The Suburban Poor." These posts will not be a rant, but a presentation of a situation and, hopefully, a few ideas to make things better.
In 2002, I was laid off from a job that paid me the highest salary I ever earned. Had I not been laid off, I probably would have been able to take my young family on our first, ever family vacation. While that job would not have put us in a fancier neighborhood, our bills were finally getting caught up and we were getting out of debt. Things looked rosie for a change.
I took the layoff well; I detested my job and saw the layoff as an opportunity to further my education and get that bachelor's degree I had been talking about for so long. I was foolishly confident that I would land another job in no time - I had the skills and experience that were in demand.
God decided otherwise.
Since 2002, I completed my BA in advertising/marketing communications. Looking for work in my chosen field was consistently met with, "Sorry, but we are looking for someone more qualified." Translation: I'm too old. My husband's disability needed more of my attention as did my young children. I volunteered at their schools and scout meetings.My elderly mother was showing signs of dementia, but I didn't pick up on those signals. When she fell down the basement stairs and broke her neck, I realized I needed to take charge of her care. Her dementia became worse as well as her health and she passed away three years ago. At no time during all these years, had I ever been able to pursue a full-time job. I am still the primary care-giver for my husband.
I have been working retail for the last five years and making less than I did 20 years ago. Needless to say, bill paying is almost impossible. We have applied for help through the state only to be told that I am making too much money. Jack's disability only covers the house payment and a utility bill or two. My meager paycheck doesn't cut it and we often alternate what bills get paid each month. Eventually, this arrangement catches up with us and then we have to apply for help somewhere else. However, help isn't always available. Did I mention we are back in debt?
Now we are facing collection calls, utility shut offs, and possible foreclosure on our home. The nursing home that cared for my mother is suing me for unpaid bills. While I don't carry credit card debt (I learned that lesson already), I took out loans on the house. Things here are very bleak. My husband's mother was helping us as best as she could, but now his siblings are threatening us with a lawsuit if we don't pay her back. She is also very elderly.
Over the course of history, the poor have always been punished or shunned to "their place." It seems that it's easy to pick on the vulnerable of our society. Jesus cautioned us, or rather - admonished us, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40 - King James version) Why is this message so lost on our society and governance?
Next blog - Food Pantries and Creative Cooking.
The next few blog posts will be addressing my own experiences with being in what is called "The Working Poor" or as I call it, "The Suburban Poor." These posts will not be a rant, but a presentation of a situation and, hopefully, a few ideas to make things better.
In 2002, I was laid off from a job that paid me the highest salary I ever earned. Had I not been laid off, I probably would have been able to take my young family on our first, ever family vacation. While that job would not have put us in a fancier neighborhood, our bills were finally getting caught up and we were getting out of debt. Things looked rosie for a change.
I took the layoff well; I detested my job and saw the layoff as an opportunity to further my education and get that bachelor's degree I had been talking about for so long. I was foolishly confident that I would land another job in no time - I had the skills and experience that were in demand.
God decided otherwise.
Since 2002, I completed my BA in advertising/marketing communications. Looking for work in my chosen field was consistently met with, "Sorry, but we are looking for someone more qualified." Translation: I'm too old. My husband's disability needed more of my attention as did my young children. I volunteered at their schools and scout meetings.My elderly mother was showing signs of dementia, but I didn't pick up on those signals. When she fell down the basement stairs and broke her neck, I realized I needed to take charge of her care. Her dementia became worse as well as her health and she passed away three years ago. At no time during all these years, had I ever been able to pursue a full-time job. I am still the primary care-giver for my husband.
I have been working retail for the last five years and making less than I did 20 years ago. Needless to say, bill paying is almost impossible. We have applied for help through the state only to be told that I am making too much money. Jack's disability only covers the house payment and a utility bill or two. My meager paycheck doesn't cut it and we often alternate what bills get paid each month. Eventually, this arrangement catches up with us and then we have to apply for help somewhere else. However, help isn't always available. Did I mention we are back in debt?
Now we are facing collection calls, utility shut offs, and possible foreclosure on our home. The nursing home that cared for my mother is suing me for unpaid bills. While I don't carry credit card debt (I learned that lesson already), I took out loans on the house. Things here are very bleak. My husband's mother was helping us as best as she could, but now his siblings are threatening us with a lawsuit if we don't pay her back. She is also very elderly.
Over the course of history, the poor have always been punished or shunned to "their place." It seems that it's easy to pick on the vulnerable of our society. Jesus cautioned us, or rather - admonished us, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(Matthew 25:40 - King James version) Why is this message so lost on our society and governance?
Next blog - Food Pantries and Creative Cooking.
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