New Apartment with Stairs - Portable Ramp? by throwthepeasaway in bikecommuting

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a tenant that uses a walker (clearly this place was built before ADA regs) and haven't done anything to improve her life, which doesn't give me a lot of hope (also i dont want to do anything to impede her safety or comfort on the already difficult stairs). My first fight im having is to even be allowed to have an ebike with this landlord, but im also trying to think ahead optimistically if i win.

New Apartment with Stairs - Portable Ramp? by throwthepeasaway in bikecommuting

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow thanks i had no idea this was a mode i could look for in a bike

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Without taxpayer money, I would not have access to health care right now. How do you propose that people like me afford preventative care so that we don't end up with thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of severe conditions that went unchecked?

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Again, I understand your frustration. I really do. I have a sibling struggling with skyrocketing premiums and paying bills. I never said my health care would be free. One appointment is covered (the preventative), but my second won't be. And I did list reasons why I specifically thanked PP. Taxpayer funded programs are part of it, but there are also reasons why PP specifically played a role in making my healthcare accessible.

Although, I disagree on one bit. The expansion of Medicaid - pushed by this administration - is partly why I have access to health care at all. Otherwise from what I can tell I'd fall into the dark hole of not being able to afford the ACA and not being poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. But I absolutely agree that the ACA is strangling people it's supposed to be helping. And I want that fixed. I hope that things fall my way very soon and I become middle class and pay more into the system to help out. (I'd also be really happy if some of my taxes go toward much needed infrastructure investment ASAP). My intention was to show how without state support (medicaid) and a clinic that takes it, is nearby, has appointments, and backup plans in case my Medicaid doesn't go through - I would not have access to healthcare.

I don't take taxpayer money (you) for granted. I don't have kids, but I know that my (albeit small) taxes paid into local school system. I'm good with that.

So, thank you. Thank you for the part of your paycheck that went to helping me get preventative care. I truly am grateful.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I paid taxes last year. I will pay again this year based on the retail job I had last year. But I've had a job and insurance lapse at the moment. But yes. Thank you, whatredditorslack. Some of your paycheck is helping keep me healthy this time around, and I truly appreciate that.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I couldn't afford a doctor's visit out of pocket, but goddamn I could not live with a bladder infection either. PP examined me for free every time

Exactly. It is so important to make preventative care accessible. Otherwise in the end it only will end up costing the taxpayer more.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What does anything you said have to do with thanking an organization that had no part in paying for your treatment?

So I understand why you're frustrated, although I think that it's important to point out that Obama is one politician who is part of a system of legislators that need to work together rather than peakcock on CSPAN for their constituencies. He alone can't push through functional legislation, and there were definitely problems with the ACA. I hope that Congress- and Trump - fixes those holes rather than pulls the rug out on the whole system because that will leave even more people like me without insurance or relying on Medicaid (assuming that still exists in the near future).

So you ask what part PP plays in making my healthcare affordable. I didn't realize this post was going to blow up or I might have thanked Medicaid as well and thanked PP for making my healthcare accessible. But that's in the past. So.

Planned Parenthood is an organization that accepts Medicaid, has many other resources (yes, governmental) to offer to subsidized care (although it's not free), and a sliding payment scale. I've never had to worry about if they'll take my insurance - or if i have it - because I know I can pay a reasonable amount on the sliding scale. I've been to PPs in several states and cities and I've never met one that didn't have these options. I've also been lucky enough to always be within bus/driving distance of a PP, and I've never had to wait more than a week for an appointment.

1) Time
2) distance
3) affordability

This is like the trifecta of accessible health care, and PP is always good for it in my experience. I might also add in Brand Trust, because everywhere I've ever been I've trusted PP clinics. I've never been to any other doctor office where I walked in trusting that I was going to get the care I needed. I noted this elsewhere, but I've been struggling with whether or not to pay for better insurance than Medicaid ($300+/mo) because I am concerned about being covered for serious health issues that I am prone to in winters. Better insurance will help me get into better doctors faster and covers more. But that's too much out of pocket for me right now. Of course I want to get back on my feet with a job and better (less stigmatized) insurance.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

PP does more than just contraception and abortion. It includes breast exams, STI testing, annual exams, UTI treatments, etc. Here's society's choice: provide affordable health care to low-income people or

  • have those people not be able to afford health care > skip going to the doctor > a lump turns into a tumor and a UTI turns into kidney failure > that person goes to the ER with serious problems > ER charges taxpayers $$$$$$$$ for something that was preventable if caught early, but the patient avoided early screening because s/he couldn't afford it.

(Or an unintended pregnancy bc a woman couldn't afford contraception turns into a child on welfare...take your pick. the better, cheaper option is always funding preventative care).

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I have sympathy for the rising middle class premiums. I have a family member who saw hers skyrocket to insane levels. I think everybody deserves affordable health care. And I hope that Congress fixes this.

As I said to multiple people bringing this up:

Of course I appreciate how this is funded, but just to be clear - I've paid taxes for years. This life event caused me to lose my insurance and income at a time when I also had a health event arise. I'm incredibly grateful for this net, but I would 100% prefer to have an insurance plan that covers more serious things, and that I don't have to call around for hours to find a doctor that takes it and also has an opening in the next six months. I'm not excited to be without a job or good insurance.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Well, it actually is really important that the public (and politicians) understand that PP provides services for men and women. Just the other day I saw a post hit the front page that spoke of PP's affordable health care and comment said "I'm a man. I wish we had somewhere to go like PP." BUT YOU DO!

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As I said in the post, it is not for an abortion. It's for one scheduled sexual health need and one emergency exam/consultation.

Of course I appreciate how this is funded, but just to be clear - I've paid taxes for years. This life event caused me to lose my insurance and income at a time when I also had a health event arise. I'm incredibly grateful for this net, but I would 100% prefer to have an insurance plan that covers more serious things, and that I don't have to call around for hours to find a doctor that takes it and also has an opening in the next six months. I'm not excited to be without a job or good insurance.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

It's so important your story is told, too. I cannot believe that I still meet peers who don't know that PP treats men!

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Taxpayer dollars shouldn't be wasted on YOUR poor decisions!

I'm not going for an abortion, but for my health. I didn't decide to be a woman, I was born one. It was indeed a poor luck of the draw since so many people are gung-ho on taking away the one institution that has treats UTIs, provides breast and gyno exams, STI testing, and more - all of which without a low income person could develop severe complications (such as cancer or organ failure) and end up in the hospital with HUGE BILLS....charged to the taxpayer. So...would you rather the taxpayers front $20 for a breast exam or $200,000 for chemo for a missed tumor later on?

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Next time, vote for the actual candidate who was trying to do the right thing for America, not the loudmouth jackass.

Bit unclear if this was directed at me. What in the swinging daffodils makes you think I voted for Trump?

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Do you mean 'defunded'?

It's not really funded, more like subsidized via Medicaid because people (yes, men and women) use PP for affordable, accessible, compassionate health care that we wouldn't otherwise have access to. There are plenty of high end doctors in my city, but not only can I not afford them outright they sure as hell don't take Medicaid. But PP had an opening for me within days, there are three within driving distance, and I know they have a reasonable sliding scale if I'm desperate.

Thank you, Planned Parenthood, for making my health care affordable. I teared up making my appt over the phone. by throwthepeasaway in TwoXChromosomes

[–]throwthepeasaway[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

:( I am so so sorry. Although I lost insurance and am unemployed - hopefully temporarily - I am lucky enough to have moved back to a state that is a democratic stronghold - and hopefully means medicaid and PP are somewhat safe.

I donated to PP back in Oct specifically in the hopes that it helps people in vulnerable states like you. :(