Since returning to the US in May I have become more fully aware of the search for health insurance - affordable or otherwise. For the past 15 years I've always been covered by an employer or spouse's coverage. This is the first time since I first moved to California in 1992 that I've had to pursue coverage on my own.
Yes, in the UK there was socialized medicine, which thankfully I never needed to use. But it was there if I did need it. For the past nine months I've purchased short term plans and was on an employer policy for a whole month (sarcastic, wow). Now, I am afraid to admit, I've been without insurance since January 1, 2009. However, this is not by choice. I'm just waiting, waiting, waiting, for the California COBRA (coverage when you loose it from your employer) quote from Kaiser Parmanente. Their big ad campaign is called Thrive! Yeah, I'd like some of that. As I wait I am actually thankful for every day that passes that I do not get sick or injured.
It is a dance I'm playing as I wait for this quote that is now three weeks late. Do I wait to see what outrageous sum they are going to charge me for the equivalent of the coverage I had with my former employer or do I apply for a new policy? I took the leap and applied and today was the deadline. Getting through to Kaiser caused me a total meltdown. This afternoon I went to the local Kaiser office, just a few blocks from my house and across the street from my favorite Alameda Yoga Station. I was told by my friendly Kaiser sales representative that I could use their fax machine to send in my application. If only the man behind the front desk had been willing to make it happen. He wasn't. He barked at me. He barked at everyone so it wasn't personal. But it felt personal. I immediately called the Kaiser help line and started crying. Build up of frustration exploding. The nice woman on the other end helped me figure out a solution for getting my application in on time. I imagine that in the past three weeks I've talked to nearly all of their thousands of employees and the majority are very nice. However, a few are super not-cool. But they do have a fantastic complaint filing system that I've used.
As for processing my application it will take five to six weeks and during that period I still have no coverage. I think I may purchase another short term plan since I do ride my bike for my main form of transportation. Plus, every ache and pain has me worried about it being something bigger than just a cramp. This will give me the peace of mind I need for now.
I know that I'm not alone in this pursuit of coverage. The five to six week wait is because Kaiser is inundated with applications. At least I am one of the lucky folks who can afford health insurance. The policy I have applied for is the bare minimum but I am healthy so it should do the trick. If I wanted anything close to excellent insurance it would cost me nearly the same as my monthly rent. Thrive for a price.
Showing posts with label child protective services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label child protective services. Show all posts
January 23, 2009
April 24, 2008
Texas tries to ease polygamist kids' culture shock
I found the CNN article Texas tries to ease polygamist kids' culture shock interesting beyond the story of their religious sect. Although living in an unacceptable situation when it came to their mental well-being the article, unintentionally, highlights that their are several inspirational components to how they were raised as good kids.
Apparently these kids didn't watch TV, grew their own veg, raised livestock, only ate fresh healthy foods, were very polite and possibly further along in their education than most kids of their age because they were home schooled. The kids are being fostered throughout Texas and the foster carers have been briefed on how to ensure the youth don't face a culture shock as they are exposed to society beyond their compound.
Child Protective Services agency spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said, according to the CNN article, "We recognize it's critical that these children not be exposed to mainstream culture too quickly or other things that would hinder their success. We just want to protect them from abuse and neglect. We're not trying to change them."
Children raised on the FLDS compound wear pioneer-style dress and keep their hair pinned up in braids, reflecting their standards of modesty. For the same reason, they have little knowledge of pop culture. They pray twice a day. They tend vegetable gardens and raise dairy cows, and eat fresh food. And they are exceedingly polite, always saying "please" and "thank you."
Pulliam said the temporary foster care facilities have been briefed on the children's needs. "We're not going to have them in tank tops and shorts," she said.
In addition, CPS has sent instructions to the foster homes to feed the youngsters fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken, rice and other foods that may have been grown on the 1,700-acre ranch. "They don't eat a lot of processed food and we're not going to encourage that," Pulliam said, but noted that if the children want to eat processed or junk food, no one is going to stop them.
Hays and Pulliam said the children will continue to be home-schooled by the temporary foster-care providers instead of being thrown into big schools, where they could be bullied because of their differences.
If this is a throw-back to the 19th century way of living, as stated in the CNN article, I am interested in the fact that these are good, polite, modest, educated kids. The horror of their oppression is unfortunately the frame for their "goodness" but why not encourage feeding and educating kids in this way? For goodness sake, stop them from trying junk food.
Apparently these kids didn't watch TV, grew their own veg, raised livestock, only ate fresh healthy foods, were very polite and possibly further along in their education than most kids of their age because they were home schooled. The kids are being fostered throughout Texas and the foster carers have been briefed on how to ensure the youth don't face a culture shock as they are exposed to society beyond their compound.
Child Protective Services agency spokeswoman Shari Pulliam said, according to the CNN article, "We recognize it's critical that these children not be exposed to mainstream culture too quickly or other things that would hinder their success. We just want to protect them from abuse and neglect. We're not trying to change them."
Children raised on the FLDS compound wear pioneer-style dress and keep their hair pinned up in braids, reflecting their standards of modesty. For the same reason, they have little knowledge of pop culture. They pray twice a day. They tend vegetable gardens and raise dairy cows, and eat fresh food. And they are exceedingly polite, always saying "please" and "thank you."
Pulliam said the temporary foster care facilities have been briefed on the children's needs. "We're not going to have them in tank tops and shorts," she said.
In addition, CPS has sent instructions to the foster homes to feed the youngsters fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken, rice and other foods that may have been grown on the 1,700-acre ranch. "They don't eat a lot of processed food and we're not going to encourage that," Pulliam said, but noted that if the children want to eat processed or junk food, no one is going to stop them.
Hays and Pulliam said the children will continue to be home-schooled by the temporary foster-care providers instead of being thrown into big schools, where they could be bullied because of their differences.
If this is a throw-back to the 19th century way of living, as stated in the CNN article, I am interested in the fact that these are good, polite, modest, educated kids. The horror of their oppression is unfortunately the frame for their "goodness" but why not encourage feeding and educating kids in this way? For goodness sake, stop them from trying junk food.
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