In line with the debate on going over healthcare, I want to just ask one question, where is my healthcare???

 I have a combination of healthcare problems, all in the immune deficiency family known as lupus and fibromyalgia. They have much in common with AIDS. No immune system. Long term, chronic pain. Lack of energy, known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have had these diseases for years. I also have no healthcare. Nada.

I have filed for Social Security. I won. And, I also lost. I have been a stay at home mother. So, even though I was declared disabled by the good folks at the federal govt from Social Sercurity as disabled, I get nothing. No SSDI, since I have not worked enough to put in my years of work. No SSI, since that is basically a income support system, and my married income is just a few dollars over the limit. No Medicare, No Medicaid.

I do consider myself lucky, in a sense. I do get a small pension from the good govt of Canada, since I did work there for a time before both my kids were born while my husband went to grad school. So at least I can get a small sum of some $350.00 to live on monthly. I get this even though I only worked a brief period of time in Canada, since they see fit to give me some credit for staying at home with the kids while they were small. I got this when I got sick the first time, in 1996. I lived there for some eight years, and had the Canadian version of single payer, now a hot button issue.

I was in Canada during the Clinton years, and when Ms Clinton was trying to pass health care reform. I got calls from relatives, anxious to know how getting doctors and going to the hospital worked. Just fine, I replied. I never had to wait at all to see a doctor or get any form of needed care in Canada. I had a list of ten doctors given to me by a referral program when I asked, and was told to pick out my personal doctor, which I did. An excellent young woman, who gave me excellent healthcare by the way. I never waited on any needed care in my years there. I had surgery. I had very good care with sympathetic nurses, who took good care of me. No problem.

Now? Nothing. Since I do not qualify for Medicare nor Medicaid, I cannot get any doctor to take care of me. What doctor is going to see me and offer any help for my problems? No one. The last time I saw a doctor was in April of 2008, and he told me to see a pain management specialist. I called the two on the list in my phone book. One was not taking patients, the other said I could get on a waiting list and see him in August of 2010. And since I explained I had no healthcare when asked about insurance, I was told to bring $250. in cash for the first visit. And more in cash for any tests I might have. I just hung up when told the date. 2010?? What, I thought. That is a very long time. Yuck, I might need him before then. And I did not try to confirm the appointment. Why bother, I thought.

I am one face in many in desporate need of healthcare. Just one. I am doing relatively well right now. My illness is not aggressive for the time being. Yet I will still need care. And soon.

Single payer healthcare is the only option as for as I am concerned. If America can turn its education over to the govt, why not healthcare? If the teachers can work for the govt, why not doctors?? Do we not trust our own children to a state operated system? Yes, we do. Why not a state controlled healthcare system for us all.

I want to add a voice to this very important issue. I want single payer healthcare for us all.