I called in sick today. I should have called in "no insurance".

I have migraines. I've had them for over 20 years. They are manageable with meds. However, the meds are expensive. A few years ago, when I was broke and unemployed, I laid in bed for 5 days in excruciating pain with a bottle of Aleve.

The meds I need would cost $1000 per month out of pocket. With insurance its more like $150.

I've had insurance off and on over the years, mostly off. I had it through a job that ended in October, and the pharmacy kept billing them and they kept paying for them until this week.

Although I've been in a contract to hire position for almost 6 months I haven't been hired yet. It was supposed to happen after 3. I have told my employer that I desperately need health insurance.

With the insurance coverage I can get what I need, and rarely miss work.

Without it I can't afford the meds I need. I take vicodin for pain, which makes it impossible to drive. I am nauseous. I am not working today, so I am not getting paid.

My supervisor understands the situation I am in and he knew how miserable I was all day yesterday. My manager could hire me any time he decided to. I suspect he thinks I will work harder as a contractor who hopes to be hired, so he's holding it out in front of me like a carrot in front of a mule. If he hired me I would have insurance and rarely miss work.

The first month of the assignment I had a tooth going bad, and I missed a lot of work because I was in too much pain to drive. However I couldn't have the root canal until I worked enough hours to afford it.

Aargh.

I'm one of the lucky ones who has never been without insurance. I have a bunch of health problems and I can't imagine being in your position... so vulnerable. Universal health care coverage may not be a perfect solution, but we desperately need to put some program in place so that people like yourself don't suffer simply because the cost of necessary medication is ridiculously high. (trying to type while my young son yaks... sorry if it makes no sense...)

just go to the Emergency Room.

Yes they would treat me (which would help me get through the day) and that would mean a bill for $1000-$1500. A righty actually said that to me once.

stomach for it.

:hug: :hug: I hope you feel better soon.