My husband works for a major corporation. We just got the news that they are offering a new health care plan. Where there used to be multiple choices just three years ago, there are now only 2 options:

1. A plan with a $5000.00 deductible for any costs other than annual check ups and immunization shots (provided you stay in-network, that is. Otherwise the deductible shoots up to $10,000). After that, we pay 15% of all costs -- EVERYTHING!!! Unless you go out of network, then it shoots to 35%.

OR...

2. Opt out and you're on your own.


We have 3 people in our family with chronic conditions. We did the math on this, and this new plan is going to cost us a minimum of $500.00 a month -- maybe as much as $700.00 -- until we max out our deductible. We are totally freaking out, we can't afford this.

My husband started looking for a new job today. We love where we live and we'd like to stay here, but we can't afford this. I am just in shock.

The worst part of all:

After learning of this news, I told three people that we need a public option in this country. One person (a doctor) heartily agree. Another person (a professor) thought a public option wouldn't change anything. And a third person (my own sister) claimed that a public option would be the worst thing for this country!!!

How can they be so ignorant???? What is it that they don't understand in this equation???

I just want to cry.