I agree. It's not an easy life, and a lot of people regret the choice. I'm glad I don't!

Politicians align based on politics. Not based on what makes sense.

Of course.

As someone who HAS insurance, I am actually moving away from going to a doctor where my visits and tests will definitely be covered because I'm not actually being having my illness treated there. I am hypothyroid and my current doctor prescribes medication according to a blood test only. I had to call her office to see when I had to come back and have the test run again because I was given a year's worth of medication and no even so much as a 'we'll see you in x months to make sure we have the correct dosage.' When I made that call to see when I was coming back (actually it was returning the call because the nurse made the appointment without even seeing what time of day works for me - 4pm doesn't work very well when you work 3rd shift!), I had to ask if I were ever going to see the doctor about the symptoms that are still very present - which the medication is not resolving! The funny thing is that when I first started going to this doctor I made it clear that I wanted to be involved in my healthcare, especially with hypothyroidism. Needless to say, I am going to go to an MD recommended by my chiropractor where my insurance probably will not cover much more than the tests, if that. So despite having insurance (as will be required by law soon enough to avoid paying a fine!) that does not guarantee good healthcare - or rather healthcare that will actually take care of problems versus simply prescribing medication according to tests and ignoring symptoms, or simply treating symptoms and not dealing with what is actually causing those symptoms.

Needless to say, this healthcare 'reform' is actually not doing anything to change the quality of treatment available, only who pays what bill - so once again, the patient is actually the one being thrown under the bus again.

Have you looked into seeing any other physicians who are in network? There are other solutions than going to a physician who isn't covered by your insurance policy. One imporant part of any health care reform will include cost containment, and that WILL include limiting which physicians you can go to, what tests you can have and what medications you can take that the plan will cover. Otherwise, costs skyrocket. I think finding the right doctor sometimes takes trial and error. It took me several physicians to find the right neurologist for me. Just like with every other profession, we're human. Not all of us are good. Not all of us are going to mesh well with you. Not all of us really care that you want to have a say in your health care. Find the one that does. Don't give up, but try working within the system so you don't throw away good money.

I'm with you. And yes, I'll admit I was glued to C-SPAN much of the afternoon yesterday and all last night. (It was worth the wait to hear Stupak's speech, IMO.)

But I was reminded of GC as I watched while representative after representative claimed that this bill imposed socialism or, worse, totalitarianism. All I could think of was the Glenn Beck--Social Justice thread as I wondered if the speakers really know what socialism or totalitarianism are.

Probably the same, maybe less. I've been without insurance before man, I know how it works. I've been to clinics that had discounted pricing for non insured patients.

Also, my current Derma doesn't accept my insurance but I still see him and only pay between $40-80 per visit, depending on the treatment.

True. I can believe that. Yet it also proves their ignorance because they have never been exposed to the complete ends and outs of business and how not every business (no matter how hard you work to climb the ladder) does not equal "Great Benefits".

This will be the third doctor that I am going to for something relatively simple as hypothyroidism (compared to the psuedotumor cerebri which I had for roughly the past year - but that's gone because my brain trauma was allowed to heal on the medication I was on). Both previous doctors have shown they really don't care that I want to be involved in my healthcare - it was almost like pulling teeth even to get copies of the test results so I had them for my records! The current doctor said that she will not prescribe anything other than synthetic thyroid - which really makes me wonder what she would make me take for the rest of the symptoms I'm experiencing?!

But the question is why should I be a slave to the system? Why must I settle for only doctors that have made a deal with the health insurance companies? Why should I not be allowed to look outside the 'normal' system and work with an MD who looks at alternative means of health care (preventative rather than waiting until I'm actually sick)? I'm willing to drive 1.5 hours each way to see a doctor who, on paper, is willing to work WITH me to make me a healthier person all around - and if I have to pay for the office visits out of my own pocket (if insurance only will cover the tests) then so be it.

My view, as a patient, of the where our healthcare system is broke is that the patient is left out of the equation most of the time - its the doctors and insurance companies making the decisions. The first doctor I saw lied right to my face when I asked for specific blood tests to establish a baseline (D3, T3 and T4) - said he would order them and didn't (his nurse said because the insurance company wouldn't cover those tests - and T3 and T4 are only checked for hyperthyroid patients). I left after finding that out as I don't care for lip service, especially when my health is involved.

In the 2004 elections, George Bush won 50.7% of the popular vote, vs. John Kerry gaining 48.3%. I know that it's the electoral college that chooses, but the percentage of yays to nays is pretty darn close 50.930 (or 50.9%) to 49.30 (49.3%), with the electoral college voting 286 for Bush and 251v for Kerry. In the 2000 election, 47.9% of the popular vote voted for Bush, and 48.4% for Gore (although the electoral college voted 271 to 266 in favor Bush).

Democratic supporters questioned the extremely close results in both elections (not just based on the popular vote, there were other issues as well), and Republican supporters accused the Dems of "sour grapes". Isn't this kind of the same thing?

I get it - that close margin shows that there is a strong division amongst the congress, and likely the citizens of the US. But majority rules, even in the closest of races, and in the most important (the presidential election).

THIS

I agree. I'm settling for this one now because we have to start somewhere. I feel confident that we won't stop here.

Part of what you're paying for when you pay for your healthcare are the reimbursed costs that the hospital/medical center is having to absorb under the current system. If they are only paid for 30% of the treatment they provide, they have to make enough money off of those 30% to cover their costs. If everybody has insurance, everybody's health care costs will go down.

Ultimately, I'd still like to see health insurance completely removed from the employer. Hopefully we'll get there someday.

You posted my thoughts, with the bolded being oh so true (based on my years of working in finance for a non-for-profit hospital and a for-profit healthsystem).

On another note, Beryana I went through EXACTLY what you're going through (low thyroid and doctors who just based your treatment on your blood test and not anything else). I ended up finding a great physician outside of my network and just paid the out of pocket expense. :sad: Fortunately for me, my job switched to a mandatory open choice plan, so now its no longer an issue but good heavens I understand your frustration and situation though. Total and complete care should always be #1, but unfortunately its not.

Good luck!

The first bold isn't really correct. Physicians elect whether or not to accept certain insurance providers. They don't "make deals" with them. Physicians actually have very little bargaining power when it comes to insurance companies. We can just refuse to see patients from companies that we don't wish to deal with.

The second bolded section caught my eye because I wonder if you told him that you were willing to pay for the tests even if your insurance company wouldn't cover them. I can feel the frustration in your story, but T3 and T4 levels are not covered for hypothyroidism for a reason. If your physician didn't know you would pay for them regardless of the price, and he knew they were not indicated, he probably thought it was best to exclude an unnecessary test rather than have you charged for it. If you did tell him, than shame on him.

Also, your symptoms may not be related to hypothyroidism. The thyroid gets a bad rap for lots of symptoms, ie. fatigue, weight gain, sluggishness. There are lots of things that can cause these symptoms other than the thyroid, and treating hypothyroidism doesn't magically give you tons of energy...that would be giving you hyperthyroidism! My husband is an endocrinologist. He complains all the time about the misconceptions people have about all the magic the thryroid can do.