I'm sorry you're in a bad situation, Monster Reader, but you've been very vocal about how much you dislike your previous employers, and how badly you've been treated (in your opinion, anyway). And I am so tired of job seekers who don't think they should pay for things that benefit them. Maybe this will give you much-needed perspective. Employees cost a lot of money, and employers are particular about who they hire for a reason. Anyone who hires you pays not just your salary, but some or all of your health insurance premiums, 401k match, pension (if there is one), half of your Social Security taxes, prescription coverage, etc. This costs an additional 30 to 55% of your salary. And this is why employers do background and reference checks, ask you a lot of questions about performance and integrity, and expect certain things from you on the job.  These are not cheap things to offer. If they are going to fork over that kind of money, employers are going to be careful about who they hire and retain.

If you want the bennies, then you need to remember somebody has to pay for them and none of the job seekers here think it should be them.  So your employer pays the lion's share of your freight even though it is not  mandatory by law to provide you with these bennies, except for SS taxes. You are still ultimately responsible for your own retirement, healthcare, and so on.

So, Monster Reader, find some low cost, short term coverage if you can't afford COBRA or just run the risk of not needing healthcare, or find a local Private Industry Council for assistance. But also remember you were just fine wth things when someone else paid for you. Now you need to take full responsibility for yourself and I am sure you will.

Before you think I'm talking from an ivory tower, I have been where you were: Laid off and without a lot of money. I became self employed out of need and found I had excellent business sense. 18 years later, I have a lot to be proud of. But I also did whatever I had to do to survive and stopped complaining about my previous employers. Things went much better when I looked ahead instead of b****ing and moaning about how I thought I was treated. Get a grip, and you'll do just fine.

And that's why we Amaricans (Bushism) should push for a national health system. We can afford billions of taxpayers dollars to fund a war and welfare checks to other countries and yet we can't even have a system that takes care of the health of our people. After all, our country is THE PEOPLE.

Any of you seen the movie, "SICKO" yet? 

What I dont understand is why, when you have been uninsured for 90 days previously you have to be limited on coverage on a new plan ?  I came across this again with my new employer this week and since I didnt have the money to pay for my Cobra from last January I am going to be excluded on alot of pre-exisiting conditions.  Where is the logic in that ?  I didnt have the money for insurance - flat out simple.  But oh well, I cna live with the pre-exisisting stuff for a year or so

There is no logic in our current health care system, only greed.  Our system excludes the people who need healthcare the most while rewarding HMO, PPO and insurance company executives with salaries and percs that could easily pay for the denied coverage.

Plus most people are underinsured and don't know it.  The list of uncovered items on most policies exceeds the covered items.  And, these exclusions are listed in the FULL POLICY which isn't provided until after your are a subscriber.

There is something you can do.  Go to www.healthcare-now.org  This organization is an outgrowth of the movie SICKO and is gaining momentum.  Read the stories of denied and overpriced healthcare services and then sign the petition supporting passage of H.R. 676 - Medicare for All.

All round the country rallies are being held to protest our current system. Go to www.Congress.org  and e-mail your elected representatives.  They them you're sick and tired of a healthcare system that leaves your sick, tired and broke.

Do it today!

Our system excludes the people who need healthcare the most

 

I will kind of take exception to this comment when I see welfare people and illegals saying that they have a right to health care while I am still sitting on tons of bills trying to pay them off for many years to come from surgeries that I had while I had a good health insurance plan.  THAT just isnt right