I may not have a gall bladder, but I am still overwhelmed with gall and bile!

[threeplusfire]

The cost of removing my gall bladder, according to the itemized hospital bill = $35,681.04. This does not include the $1400 emergency room bill, or bills from the surgeon, anesthesiologist, the pathologist, etc. Our ultimate out pocket costs remain to be seen, as bills continue to arrive. We have health insurance, through my husband's work, thank our lucky stars. Having insurance is no guarantee, though. I delayed going to the hospital at least an hour or two because I was frightened at what this could cost us out of pocket.

It took my father a decade to pay just for the costs of the birth of his two children. I don't think we had health insurance for years. I remember asking my mother once why we never went to the doctor, and her being angry with me about it.

Today at work I came across a number of reviews that began "I am an assistant to the regional manager of a small paper company..." I laughed a lot.

The hysteria and hyperbole over the idea that a sitting President will give a speech telling kids to stay in school is absurd. It's a speech about staying in school, for crying out loud. The fact that some people have their panties in a twist over the idea that their little darlings might hear the President speak - well. I think that says a lot more about the prejudices of those people than anything else.

Comments

[avidbeader.livejournal.com]

I so agree with you on that last paragraph. I've already seen one person on my f-list foaming about Obama's "socialist" agenda and indoctrinating young people. I pointed out that other presidents have addressed the schools and she claimed that she'd object to anyone "in politics" talking to her child without her permission.

I suspect she would have had a lot more respect for the office of the President if the election results had been different, but won't admit it.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

It just seems so bonkers - I watched speeches from more than one president growing up and I don't recall this sort of uproar about it.

So much of the virulence directed at the President in the past eight months seems like poorly veiled racism.

[avidbeader.livejournal.com]

Honestly, it is racism but many people just won't admit to it.

And I meant to say so earlier, but I feel for you. I believe the bills surrounding the miscarriage I had last fall ended up being around $15000 and we paid around $1000 out of pocket. Yay for state-subsidized group plans. Darn that socialism. :P