I make it a policy to post something every weekday, just as if this were a regular nine-to-five office job. Yesterday, I had a headache that likely was more of a migraine. Light and sound were painful, I felt nauseous, and I wanted nothing to do with anything or anyone. We've all encountered times like that, where something will happen that completely disrupts our normal schedules. This, however, combined with the recent conversations I had with my husband over his company's open enrollment for insurance, got me to thinking about my health.
In particular, it got me thinking about how to manage healthcare as a freelancer. This led me to a website titled How To Make A Living Writing, and an article specifically about how to get insurance as a freelancer. Author Carol Tice offers twelve options for freelancers who need health insurance, and explains them in terms that are easy to understand. It's in no way a comprehensive article; she gives quick pros and cons for each option. However, the level of versatility she presents means freelancers don't need to be afraid of being uninsured.
At the same time, however, insurance is expensive. Even at discounted rates, with employer subsidies and using the absolute lowest cost plan available, covering a family of four can often cost more than $500 a month. That's a lot of money, especially for those who don't have the framework of a "day job" or other means of income. The prospect of paying so much for insurance doesn't appeal to anyone.
And this, of course, led me to politics.
One of the huge calling cards for Bernie Sanders is his "Medicare for All" pledge. It appeals because people can't afford the burden of paying for insurance. Minimum wage workers often are forced to choose between paying bills and getting health care. Most opt to pay the bills, the thought being that health doesn't mean much if you're living out of your car because you got evicted for being behind on the rent. People shouldn't have to live like this, and that's why his constituents like him so much. Not because they're radical socialists, but because they're tired of having to choose between paying rent and getting medicine.
Sanders is by no means the only candidate to get in on the issue of health care for all. Nearly every candidate has addressed the issue at some point in their campaign so far, and all agree the system as-is does not work. They just disagree on how best to fix it. Unfortunately, while the politicians all squabble over who pays for what and whether or not people deserve to have coverage, Americans from all walks of life are stuck wondering if they'll still have coverage in a year, if they'll be able to get food this week, and if that discolored toe is really worth seeing a doctor about when it might end up costing an entire month of rent to hear them say "that's not really an issue." Democrats and Republicans alike need to wake up and pay attention. It's not enough that they have prime health care. We, the people, would like some too, and we expect them to give it to us.
Until then, freelancers like me who are just starting out feel like we just have to grab a couple of aspirin and soldier on.