So my health insurance doesn’t cover my Lexapro. I tried to convince my mother that perhaps it was time for me to discontinue the use of my Anti-depressants. She started crying.
At times like this, I wonder why I am so honest with my parents. The complications are as follows: I can’t afford to live on my own. My job only pays about 300 a week. My rent is 500, and then I have to pay AT&T, the gas bill, and the electric bill. Also any other bills (gym, credit card, etc) that may come up. Now, I have to pay for health insurance. For those of you who do not have to pay for individual health insurance, the payment is usually anywhere from 200-600 a month. After realizing the Blue Cross Blue Shield wouldn’t take care of my mental health because it is a pre-existing condition, we had to look back on my last plan…and take up their offer on COBRA. COBRA is the insurance that you get once you go off a group insurance plan. It can last for 3 years, and is hell-a expensive. However, paying for my Lexapro out of pocket (about 200 bucks each refill) would end up costing me more than COBRA. The reason why my parents know anything about this is because I can’t afford it on my own. I am ashamed. I am a 26 year old womyn who cannot take care of herself. And what do I have to say for myself? “I’m sorry.”
Time and time again my generation is being told that it’s not their fault. We did everything we were supposed to do, but the economic climate is different. And apparently we are not to blame. But, I ask, how can we not feel guilty? In order to become successful we put an enormous strain on our guardians, our friends who make more than we do, and ourselves.
And Blue Cross Blue Shield seems to think that I don’t need my anti-depressants.
The amount of stress and strain put upon us makes it quite difficult to function as is. What can we make of society? First, it drives us mad, and then punishes us for being unorthodox. Now is the time for thinking outside of the box. Actually, fuck the box, let’s make it look more like an octagon. Now, let’s think outside the Octagon. A “box” implies that there are four sides and four right angles. Something so straightforward no longer applies to anything that my generation is experiencing. All the angles are obtuse, and in trying to escape, we run into many walls. At this point you would think that we’re permanently brain damaged from all the concussions…if not all the booze we consume so that we don’t have to think about our lives.
My country tis of thee, sweet land of irony.
And so here are my complaints. And I know so many similar stories. But, at this juncture, I don’t think complaints and voices are enough. At this point, I don’t even think voting is enough. We need real action. Now, I know that no one is going to give up their health insurance if they have it, or their comfortable jobs. But, it’s time to start passing around notes at least. If you have a medication and you can’t afford it, go to the website. Find the med’s provider, go to their website, and look for the patient help application. Fill the application out, go to your doctor, have them sign it, and send it in. If you are approved, the company will help you pay for your medication. If you are against medications, all the better: BOYCOTT! Homeopathic remedies are becoming increasingly popular. I use them quite frequently for colds and allergies. We have the internet now, which is a useful source of empowerment for people who want to look up herbal remedies.
But we need to be more vocal about our situations. Don’t be embarrassed anymore. No one can blame you (except yourself) for still being dependent on your parents, for not making enough money, for not getting the medical help you need, or the emotional support that you need. But don’t just complain. Be constructive. Force the people listening to you to be more constructive. If you find creative solutions to your dilemmas, share them. I mean, you post on Facebook, don’t you? If you’re friends are real friends, they’ll applaud your progress and perhaps add their two cents. Come on people, we’re past the point of squared solutions.
You know what I want? I want a community of outrageous artists and political leaders who educate one another. I would love to take part in a school of thought and expression; a place that teaches others how to effectively communicate their thoughts. The forms, in my head, are writing, visual art, dance, and theater. The instructors are not only art teachers, but teachers of philosophy, theory, and politics. The aim would be to speak loudly and to be heard.
That’s my prayer for the New Year.
