By: Efemona Kosi
I am lucky to be covered under my parent’s healthcare plan.
My mother is a nurse and my father is a correctional officer. We’re ensured under my father’s employer because he works for the state. As a result, his plan offers more benefits at a lower price. I am under 26 years old, so I have a few more years to benefit from that coverage, thanks to provisions in the Affordable Care Act. Nevertheless, my ability to use these services has always been limited by high copayments and deductibles.
Sometimes, I forget this fact because I feel so grateful just to have coverage. But having coverage and being able to access coverage are two very different things.
I was reminded of this reality when my tooth began to hurt recently, and I realized I’ve only been to the dentist twice in my life. The copayments are about $35. For some, that might not seem high; but as a college student, that’s a week worth of groceries. So I reevaluated whether my tooth really hurt “that badly,” and I took as many ibuprofens as allowed. I hoped that my symptoms didn’t get any worse. I do this with other issues, too. I often avoid routine check-ups and suffer through my regular sinusitis flare ups.
Quality care—whether for physical or mental health—should be easily accessible and affordable. That is a right, not a privilege.
This constant fear of going to see my primary care provider, dentist, or a specialist causes unnecessary anxiety that no one should have to experience.
And my healthcare plan is actually more manageable when I’m seeking physical care compared to mental health care. For example, in high school I received treatment through the Emily Program, an organization that specializes in eating disorder recovery. At that age, my parents managed and paid for my copayments and deductibles. I remember them receiving partial bills that were very expensive and made my care a financial burden. Many health insurance plans do not prioritize mental health care, and people like me and my family suffer as a result. As an adult, I notice my peers stray away from utilizing mental health providers because of the cost.
We all suffer when people in our communities can’t afford the treatment they need. Quality care—whether for physical or mental health—should be easily accessible and affordable. That is a right, not a privilege.
That’s why I support single-payer healthcare. Single-payer would allow Minnesotans to get the care they deserve, when they need it, without the burden of an unreasonable price tag. No one should have to put off their health to stay afloat financially.
We all have a health care story, because health care is a basic, fundamental need. This is part of a weekly series during Minnesota’s legislative session where we share the health care stories of Minnesotans like you. Share your story here.
