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I am a consumer of the individual insurance market, because my employer does not offer me health insurance.  Regence Blue Shield of Oregon has a monopoly on the Blue Shield/Blue Cross market in Clark County, WA (where I live)  in Clark County you can not purchase insuance from Premera Blue Cross of WA even though you live in WA state.  There are very few options for individuals.  I am a non-smoker and have just had my rates raised to $396 per month.  This is with a $2,500 deductible.  This really results in no insurance at all because one can never meet the deductible.  The lostest deductible Regence offers is $1,000.  Every year they raise rates by outragious amounts and say it's because the cost of health care is going up.  This is just an excuse.  They fail to mention all the community events Regence spends money on supporting or the salaries of their administration.  Soon I will be priced out by high premiums and will become one of America's uninsured.

posted 3 years, 2 months ago
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I don't have any children because I am not married and at 41 probably won't marry.  I also have an eye disease that prevents me from driving, which always made me worry if I had a child how would I get it to the doctor or hospital if it became ill how would I get to the child's school if called and take the child to all their activities.  You can't always depend on others for a ride and our bus system in Vancouver is not great.  I was also worried about the huge responsibility it was to care for a child.

My only concern with being childless is who will help me in my elder years?  My mother cares for her elderly father, but who will help me?  Although, having a child is no guarantee they will be able to help you in your elder years.  They may not even live in the same town as you.

posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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I already purchase individual health insurance through Blue Shield of Oregon.  It is $343 a month with a $2,500 deductible.  How is a mandate going to help me?

posted 3 years, 7 months ago
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