Yes, I went out shooting tonight with a few of my new friends (we got a few bison, a northern flickr and watched an eagle soar)…and, once again, feel like I’m a babe in the woods.  We were talking about medical issues–and the altitude here can greatly aggravate existing conditions.  While we are charged $15/month for some very basic medical coverage it does NOT cover any diagnostic testing at all.  One of my friends needed to have some blood work and other tests done. The bill was right about $300.  The bottom line reality for him is that, if he has to have any more testing done, he will have to quit the job here and return home, where he will have VA medical coverage.

Having to make those kinds of choices is an obscene situation.  I take my medical coverage or granted.  I never have to put off anything because of the potential cost.  I am SO lucky.  Stories like this make it clear that something MUST change with the US health care system.  The current proposal may not be perfect but at least it’s a start…hopefully to a time when no one will be forced with these intolerable situations.