Some thoughts on fathering a child, and how it has brought me face-to-face with the Affordable Care Act:Since I last posted, we had a baby. Most of you know this, but it's pretty amazing just the same. The reason for this blog, however, is not to talk so much about our new addition, but to talk about how my family was impacted by the Affordable Care Act during this exciting (and STRESSFUL time).
Our journey began at a began at an employee benefits fair. There was a lot to think about including life insurance and family healthcare plans. One thing you learn pretty quickly about being a father is that everything suddenly carries a new weight. Things that seemed so simple and straightforward before the baby, suddenly create all sorts of anxiety. What if I die? Will my life insurance pay the mortgage? Provide food and clothing? Help pay for college? Should I be worrying about college? Do I want my kid on the same HMO that I've been on for 9 years? What if the best doctor isn't in the network? What if he's in the hospital and the HMO won't cover something he needs, then it will be too late. I could kill him. All of these things were going through my mind.
When I got to the Blue Cross table, the woman began explaining to me the differences in the programs. It was overwhelming. I asked if there were documents that summarized the plans. She handed me three spreadsheets. And replied (with a tone of annoyance), "These are the things the government makes us give out now." As we continued talking, I asked several questions which she could not answer, but she was able to find the answers to the questions in the spreadsheets. I was able to take spreadsheets home and discuss them with my wife. Together, we were able to make an informed decision for our family, and had to deal with none of the typical insurance ambiguity.
We also made the decision to breastfeed the baby. Knowing that we would both be returning to work in the fall, it was clear that my wife was going to have to pump. We were very concerned that she would not have adequate time to pump at work, and found ourselves talking more about what were going to be able to do, as opposed to what would be best for our baby. Through a story on NPR, however, we discovered that the Affordable Care Act mandated insurance companies to provide new mothers with breast pumps. So we were able to get a dual-electric breast pump which makes it possible for her to pump very quickly and efficiently. Upon doing some research, we also discovered that her employer is mandated to provide her with adequate time to pump and a private (non-bathroom) location for pumping for up to one year after the baby's birth. This eliminated a lot of the anxiety she had about asking for time and is allowing us to plan for what we think is best for our son.
After we brought our son home, he suddenly spiked a fever. We had to rush him back to the hospital and spent a week in the ICU. It was a terrible experience, but one through which we endured. Yesterday we got a bill for his hospital stay - $38,000. We called the hospital, and it was a mistake. They sent to the bill to us instead of billing the insurance company. This was a sobering moment because it made me think of people who don't have insurance or who have shitty plans. Do they think twice about taking their kids to the doctors because of the cost? I know that public hospitals will pick up the bill, but how does this limit their healthcare options? Furthermore, before this law is fully implemented, are we all paying the bill for people who don't contribute to the system but find themselves needing to go to public hospitals for such expensive care? For that matter, why is this care so expensive? None of this sat will with me.
Obviously, the Affordable Care Act does not solve all of the problems with our healthcare system, but as long as we are stuck with a terrible system of healthcare being tied to employment, it's a good way to improve what we have. I am thankful for it, and for the opportunities to make decisions based on what I think it right for my family and not face financial hardship. Of course, this matters less to me than it might to families are not as fortunate, but that just serves to further emphasize my point. This law makes it easier for us, but is a necessity to others who have less and need more.
In the future, I hope the law (or FMLA) can be expanded to call for mandated paid maternity and paternity leave, and that we can eventually move to a new, better system. Until then, I will celebrate the Affordable Care Act and encourage each of you who has had a positive experience with it to share your stories to help build support for this important, yet controversial piece of legislation.
It is the right thing to do.
"The magician stood up as straight as a pillar, stretched out his arms in both directions, looked at the ceiling, and said the first few words of the Nunc Dimittis"
