Buffalo Bill is Dead and I'm Not Feeling So Hot, Myself

     Seriously, perhaps today was the perfect day for Obama Care to kick in. I woke up later than usual this new year's morning, my tongue having been surreptitiously supplanted overnight with a little angora sweater after a couple of glasses of wine and a little cheap champagne (which isn't as decadent as you may think. Champagne typically doesn't come in four packs with screw-on caps).
     But today is officially the first time I've been insured since I lost my QC job in July 2002, which was the last time I'd been insured. There are a lot of details to hash out, such what my temporary coverage actually consists of, whether or not I have to choose between the various state-approved HMOs and what my doctor-dentist co-pays will come to. But drug co-pays were listed at being $1 and doctor's visits being a buck and change. I can call them tomorrow when the office reopens.
     As critical as I've been about this poor excuse for a national health care plan and will continue to be until it's vastly overhauled or repealed so the primary concern isn't the bottom line of corporations but the general welfare of those on these plans, it's still slightly better than what we had when the ball was still dropping at Times Square last night.
     You don't need me to tell you how. You can no longer be kicked off your plan or charged up the wazoo over pre-existing conditions, there are no more annual or lifetime caps and you can keep your kid on your policy until they're 26. I submitted my application on October 11th and am still waiting, nearly three months later, for them to process it, hence the temporary coverage. I've been after Mrs. JP to begin her own application but she's been hemming and hawing about it, preferring to wait and see what they do with me.
     Luckily, I don't have any serious medical issues that demand immediate attention but it's still a nice feeling knowing I'm covered for the first time in 11 1/2 years. If you're not covered under any state or federal exchange or through your employer, I'd urge you to remedy that. Hopefully, Obama was right when he said on the bill's passage in 2010 that it's a work in progress like Medicare was in 1965. We need a lot more than a mere gateway to the free market, like universal single-payer coverage or Medicare offered to all without your Governor's political party being a determinant.
     I'd also like to take this time to say we're getting hit with renewals, taxes and an inspection we may or may not pass all at once and it's going to take a $200 chunk out of our finances in the coming weeks. The heating bill will start to skyrocket after last month and, after coming up with the rent today, making it next month is looking and more problematic after the holidays. So whatever you can spare would be immensely appreciated.
     Now it's off to refine my tale of Buffalo Bill's adventures in Whitechapel in 1888. See you in the funny pages.