vodray
104083
2422
122
I've had the good life so far, college educated, decent job married for 25+ years, wonderful kids and by all accounts, I'm living the American dream. However, my wife has had major medical issues for the past year, which has racked up tens of thousands in debt. To pay for these bills, I'm currently working 4 jobs and almost never see the kids unless it's to run home, say hi, and then head out to another job. Because of this, I've had to neglect basic home maintenance and now my house is starting to fall apart. In just the past year, we found an undiscovered water leak which has rotted out the floors in our kitchen, found out the leak is because the pipes throughout the house are too brittle to repair and we must re-plumb the entire house. Our dishwasher stopped working 6 months ago and now our refrigerator is making loud noises and will probably stop working soon. I can't even get my son the braces that he needs because I don't have a credit card with enough money on it that I can use for the down payment. My wife is undergoing yet another procedure in the next couple weeks which will add more to our debt. I haven't even mentioned that I had cancer surgery in April and have not started receiving the bills for that yet. to top it off, my father passed away last December after several years of watching him wither away from cancer.
I know I post a lot of silly stuff on Imgur, but that's mainly to take my mind off of all the garbage that's happened to us over the past 12 months. Thank you to all who help brighten my day with your fun pictures and interesting places. It truly does help. Not looking for anything from anyone, but it is nice to have a place like this to vent, even if it gets downvoted to blazes. Thanks for reading.
TL:DR - Medical issues and home repairs have racked up tens of thousands in debt in the past year and it's hard to deal with.
1trollsVillain
Yep, you just described the American dream
darksamus8
Welcome to the American Dream.
TheUselessPhilosopher
What you're experiencing is why people want universal healthcare. Someone is profiting off of your pain and misery
bigdaddydylan69
Get a coil cleaning brush at Harbour Freight for cheap. Clean the coils on your refrigerator. It will help. PMCS.
BlahBlahBlacksheep555
My brother and his wife were in the same boat 20 years ago. Bankruptcy saved them and it was a big "reset". They bounced back. Took 5 years
DVSBSTrD
@OP Don't give up
BigBidiza
The american dream: Getting ruined by getting ill.
GreatDaneGirl
The US medical system drives me nuts. What's even more frustrating is when you mention universal health care & they say "that's communism"
BiggusDorkus78
Wow, I thought my life was tough but my problems are currently small compared to yours. I wish you the best.
davidh1977
What f****d backward country puts innocent hard working people in these type of situations
ChristopherMcloughlin
America. But billionaires including our President can avoid taxes.
philosoraptor1000
Dude... Bankruptcy was designed for just this sort of situation. Go talk to a bankruptcy attorney.
Maggiesperson
If you have kids, you have dishwashers. Bring the kids into the whole situation. They want to help, just need guidance and encouragement.
grandfaloon
I can feel your pain. It's a struggle, and it can get worse, but you are making a difference, in your wife's life, your kids lives, kudos
Mutamn
factsdontcareabouturfeelings
After complications from an unnecessary appendectomy with no insurance I had over 100K in debt. Bankruptcy was the answer.
factsdontcareabouturfeelings
7 years later my credit was better than ever. Took time but was worth it.
3rdEden
You're not living the American dream, it's an American Nightmare.
TheAnswerIsTheMoops
1. Here’s your solution - divorce your wife to separate out your credit from hers- & make her accrue all the medical debt. She declares
scarybeary
This actually makes a lot of sense unless you need the medical deduction for your tax return to get a fat refund.
TheAnswerIsTheMoops
2. Bankruptcy & credit trashed - but your credit is still good, she’s alive & you both live your “married” life like you normally would
toyotasandwich
Wow! I don’t know how any of this works,is this technically legal? Like isn’t it a sham divorce?(the opposite being a green card marriage)
shuttlecockinakumquat
Yup A+
Hikaru4747
To sum up the confession: social health care matters.
COOL69BRO420ZONE5000
Where you at @OP? I'm good with plumbing. Won't charge you a thing.
heysniz
vodray
Thank you for the offer. I live near Charlotte NC which I doubt you do, but it is very much appreciated.
COOL69BRO420ZONE5000
Damn. Used to live in Jacksonville. Far from you know though sir.
COOL69BRO420ZONE5000
now*
lokitoki81
airplane ticket and food for a few days is still cheaper than hiring a business
dedpaen
Legal advice should be sought. The system is broken when honest ppl are impacted by grossly inflated medical costs.
atesomebadfugu
In 2008 when the economy cratered, wifey and I had some pretty hard times. But we had a good friend who lost his house, lost his business>
atesomebadfugu
got divorced and got a cancer diagnosis all in the same year. Great guy, it turned out okay for him. But we always remember>
atesomebadfugu
when it's getting shitty, it could be a whole lot worse.
MindOverMatt
Ask friends and family for help, let them know exactly what you're dealing with. Ask them for any help they can give, whether it's a 1/2
MindOverMatt
Shoulder to cry on, someone to help out with the kids, someone to come over with food and cook supper, someone to clean the house Etc. 2/3
MindOverMatt
Ask for help you deserve it. Send your story as you told it to us, to your local news I guarantee if they do even a small story on you 3/4
MindOverMatt
People will come out of the woodwork provide all kinds of help. You may even find a contractor who's willing to do the plumbing for free.
waqaashussain88365
I think medical bills is prob the biggest problem we face today its bankrupts so many people yet the prices still rise and they dnt even 1/
waqaashussain88365
Hide the fact they doing it solely for profit. Look at the cost of insulin. And we sit here and complain abt double YouTube addverts lol
oneoilybird
to be fair those are annoying as hell
TheCannabicultor
Yeah... sounds like living the american dream.
ZAPZAPMOTHAFUCKA
So if you're in the states, you don't have to pay the full medical bills every month. As long as you're paying something they can't send 1/2
ZAPZAPMOTHAFUCKA
The debt to a collector. It will tank your credit for a while, but it's better than nothing. I know several people who have paid $10/mo 2/3
ZAPZAPMOTHAFUCKA
On 100k+ worth of bills and after 10yrs or so, the hospital called them and told them they didn't need to pay anymore. & Keep your chin up.
rlc34
probably wrong time/place but remember when one of the kardashians had a gofundme so she could become youngest billionaire? stories like
rlc34
this always make me think of that shit family and how screwed up our country is, its not just the gov, citizens are wack too...
rlc34
keep grinding. you'll get thru. best of luck.
Shadowhawk000095
spetcnaz
You are a prime example why Medicare For All is not a debatable issue. American dream shouldn't become the American nightmare because
spetcnaz
you or a loved one is sick.
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
Hate to say it, but bankruptcy is an option. It doesn't mean you're a failure, and you don't have to wear a scarlet letter. Look into it.
thisiskissel
Ask the president.
DiracsDelta
Good luck ever getting a high enough credit score for any major purchase.
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
My brother went through bankruptcy. Since then he's purchased a BMW (new) and is currently buying a house.
DiracsDelta
Wow. That’s awesome!
GooniesNeverSayDieDieDieMyDarling
Totally agree - it’s stigmatized for the little guy for some reason, yet so so many companies/business owners file for it and bounce back
cathicklesquall
Just look at our president! If he can do it anyone can!
Waitihavesomething4this
My parents had to do this after my moms FIrst cancer treatments. 300k in debt. Filed bankruptcy and got back on track in time for her
Waitihavesomething4this
To get diagnosed with the same cancer 10 years later
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
I'm sorry that happened to her and your family.
Waitihavesomething4this
And thank you
Waitihavesomething4this
Honestly the only thing that didn’t bankrupt my dad the second time is the fact she passed. All her medical bills are nil now
muttonmutton
Bankruptcy may be a realistic escape for you. It's made for people in your situation. You should talk with an attorney to see if it's wise
Randamnthoughts2
Medical bills are the number one cause of bankruptcy
invisibulman
It's honestly worth looking into. Medical bills are very common in bankruptcy procedures. It might be a decent option.
DSledge
Was in similar situation - filed chapter 7 - best decision of my life
LaughingSeraphim
No it's made for rich people who don't want to pay bills.
Randamnthoughts2
You can file for bankruptcy and keep paying your mortgage. Include it in the bankruptcy fillings just in case. The bank won't take it if you
Randamnthoughts2
Keep paying your mortgage. Also, the late payments won't affect your credit score after it's included in bankruptcy.
jo136942
Charge up way more stuff first.
SpartanFlyboy
You need to go in front of a judge for a bankruptcy who will not take kindly to that kind of action.
peeeopeepeee
Don't do this. Only do what you need, if they see you just got a brand new car with making any payments you will get laughed at
SpartanFlyboy
Or they’ll make you forfeit the car!
peeeopeepeee
Definitely both
landofbob
My cousin went through a bankruptcy about 4-5 years ago. He and his wife are in a much better place.
AnimeisCancer
God rest their souls
TheCrispiestNoodles
We can't afford health insurance. If anything major ever happens to us, and payments are impossible, I'm 100% okay with bankruptcy. Murica.
Goblor
Hurts me to see you guys in America talk as bankruptcy as a logical way out because you have a sick partner. Makes my blood boil
cabalin
But the alternative is cOMmUniSm!
Sage042000
Hey, we're trying. It's hard to fix things when healthcare companies pay politicians and news anchors to scream "SOCIALISM", but little by
Sage042000
/2 little, the people are starting to catch on. I think around 70% support Medicare for all now.
DonkeyEsq
My brother told me that alot of folk hate the idea of universal care, because they dont want the tax hike involved. Any truth to that?
Sage042000
There is. There will be a small tax hike in order to cover everyone in the country, and critics jump on that as a way to discredit it. But
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
Blood boiling is a $1000 deductible and $35 copay
invisibulman
US Healthcare operates on dual pillars of prayer and bankruptcy. Pray you dont get sick. If that fails...
H3xfly
Isn't medical debt one of the few that you can pheasibly get away with defaulting on, with little repercussion outside of credit score?
DSledge
Yes unless you don’t pay - debt collectors find a way
justtruth
Yeah but he has a house that's falling apart. Literally. So going into debt for that so that they can live there.
EnormousCoat
Most states have housing rehab programs that your family would likely qualify for. Contact your state reps & talk to smn in constituent svcs
SmashingThumbPins
No. Medical debt goes into collections. Collection companies report to credit bureaus. Judgments attach to real estate as well.
SmashingThumbPins
Also, judgments can get garnishment orders. It’s really not treated any differently.
PleaseRespectMyAsshole
Yes and no. They simply started garnishing my checks when I couldn't afford to pay anymore. Also, *feasible.
HisBabes
Or, in my case refuse to continue treatment until the bill is paid. Yay America!
MyFetishIsALittleOddish
Correct me for my ignorance, but isn't that illegal? If its medically necessary I was under the impression they had to help no matter what.
HisBabes
Life saving surgery I imagine they have to do their best. Treatment for a chronic non life threatening treatment the doc can say they can’t-
H3xfly
Mmm that was a juicy spelling correction. Thank you
PleaseRespectMyAsshole
The English language is dumb. Pheasant but not feasant. Why? Why does 'ph' need to sound like a fucking 'f'?!
fartytowels
We should fone someone and ask phor some advice.
DiracsDelta
The American Dream only lasts until you get sick, apparently.
Golgothanworm
"I like people that don't get sick"
GnomeDeGuerre
If the dream is that your children should do better than yourself, it doesn't work that well before sickness either.
SirDawby
Something has to give. To be a leader in the free world and not have a better system is ludicrous.
ILikePizzaWithPineapple
Oh No. Exploiting people who have no other choice but to give in is part of capitalism. Ah yes. I would never ever want to live there.
PhngluiMglwnafghCthulhuRlyehWgahNaglFhtagn
Or old
COOL69BRO420ZONE5000
Ain't that the truth! I was doing alright until my balls got tangled. Emergency surgery and time off work sunk me into some serious debt.
BylawsBarrister
It's called a dream for a reason. If we had a chance of achieving it, it would be the American Reality.
DiracsDelta
The Dream was that anyone could get a certain standard of living with hard work. But if you start out the gate with med debt, that’s hard.
shokomann
4 jobs?!? I can't even imagine that anybody has more than one job, everybody in Germany has max. 1 job !!! America fight for healcare ...
shokomann
And stop this college loan nonsense already !?!
kaushik
Atleast from the comments it seems like most American workers can’t even get a paid month off annual leave. Seems like a Nightmare.
DiracsDelta
I get about 3 weeks paid time off per year. And that is pretty good, even for the salary with benefits kinda career.
kaushik
There needs to be a global standard for labour laws.
JustinSane6
All dreams end when you wake up and have to deal with reality.
mad4some
You got that fucking right!! As long as politicians pockets keep getting stuffed it will not change but get worse!
salbolini11
They call it the American Dream because you have to be sleeping to believe it.
Martinikene
George Carlin I believe?
salbolini11
Yup but I may have butchered it somewhat
XAMANDER
Stop voting for Republicans. Problem solved.
salbolini11
If not solved at least not made worse
BarryInTheStreetsOliverInTheSheets
Maybe he should move to a country with free healthcare?
theshoeminator
The whole point of offering single-payer health care is having citizens pay into it their entire working lives, not drop in and leech it.
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
I know that if you try to immigrate to Canada with a serious health issue, you can be refused if it hits the "excessive demand" /1
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
threshold. Otherwise we'd have a lineup of people with expensive issues trying to come in and get free health care. We simply can't /2
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
afford to do that, especially if their condition prevents them from working and paying taxes. I wouldn't be surprised if most countries /3
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
with universal healthcare have similar policies. /4
Oban
I'm on permanent disability. Unless I can come up with some wildly successful home business, my American dream died that day and I knew it
RespawnAnon
Same. I died inside
GooniesNeverSayDieDieDieMyDarling
Has your disability affected your critical thinking/mental ability? Would you be able to work on a computer or in an office setting?
DualSupernova
The healthcare here is horribly structured and meant to cripple all who use it
IHaveAForest
I have a spot on my face that I'm pretty sure is bad but refuse to go check it out because of this.
Maine351
Stop eating fast food drinking beer smoking cigarettes and doing everything unhealthy
DualSupernova
meal prep, workout 4x week, am in generally great shape. Kickboxing and soccer as my sports of choice :) 195 lbs 6’1” 11% body fat, u go!
DiracsDelta
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
Because every medical issue is caused by lifestyle???
Maine351
No. But if half of the issues were resolved, then what could be done. Unknown cures. Most times we as humans are our own worst enemies
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
We live in an environment where it can be extremely difficult to be healthy. People are overworked, have long commutes, have limited time /1
LlamaEaters
Thanks for your sage advice. I'll try to remember that the next time I get hit by a car.
DualSupernova
Lol seriously
IHaveAForest
I have a spot on my face that I'm pretty sure is bad but refuse to go check it out because of this.
Skeletun
I had a girlfriend with multiple lumps in her chest and she would not go to the doctor, nothing I could do would convince her.
RedWebPlayer
Please get it checked out! Cutting it off in time can save your life and lots of money! It’s only $300-$400 without insurance. Had a FB die
DualSupernova
I have a 3rd tumor growing in my neck but don’t have enough for the co pay for a biopsy :/
GhostPelican
Don't mean to pry/be patronising, but couldn't it be lymph nodes? I have 5 ish swollen lymph nodes around my jaw /1
GhostPelican
And they've been there for many months, almost a year. I've seen the doctor and he says it's just caused by my acne or possibly /2
LlamaEaters
Holy fuck. Your country has failed you. I'm sorry.
DualSupernova
Very much. at this point I have just said FAK IT
GDSTEVE
Everyone blames the medical system, but it is the insurance companies that drive up prices.
DualSupernova
Well I think that is the essence of the medical system right?
Maine351
The American dream is a chance at a better life not a guarantee. Everything requires work AND luck
benm421
Prosperity correlates more with life chances than anything else. Yes there are rags to riches stories, but they are an exception.
DiracsDelta
The American Dream was the idea that with work, anyone could achieve the house with the white picket fence and a car. Things change...
Maine351
In 1950
Hammertulski
It's lovely living in a country where, even with solid insurance, one medical issue can erase decades of fiscal responsibility and savings.
Zigor22
Well, you’d be dead if they didn’t have the medicine or tech, so....
DualSupernova
In a blink.. it’s insane
GDSTEVE
Not to be a dick, but that is EXACTLY what savings are for. Not saying it shouldn't be different, but insurance is to blame for high prices.
Iwanttostayinbed
My, what an American way of thinking. Brainwashing at its finest.
GDSTEVE
I suppose it is somebody else's job to take care of you. Just another burden on society.
bunkman11
Maybe Bill Gates savings account. Try having a heart attack and pay with your savings, better yet try a years worth of kimo. Idiot
GDSTEVE
Again, since you "think" with your heart, understand that medical prices are high because of insurance companies.
jhackofalltrades
Username checks out
TheKatodrome
People shouldn't have to save, every other first world nation is using universal health care, all which costs less than your broken system
GDSTEVE
Then how about the rest of the first world provide a military force which protects the entire Western hemisphere? You're welcome.
TheKatodrome
We do, no one asks America to spend an outrageous amount on their military, read up on how NATO works and come back having a clue about it..
FuturamaIsAlwaysRelevant
That is not what savings should be for. The whole system is fucked. It's beyond garbage. People will look back and think WTF were they doin
GDSTEVE
I don't disagree that the insurance industry is fucked, but savings are specifically for unforeseen events. Savings =/= retirement, btw.
Hammertulski
Savings are also for things like a house down payment, weddings, education for the kids...you know, the fucking American Dream or whatever.
AttilaMadeMeDoIt
And understand that the amount of savings are limited to the means of which they are obtained. A seemingly simple stage 1 breast cancer...
AttilaMadeMeDoIt
.. Diagnosis often results in over 10k in costs with stage 2+ commonly being 50k or more. A family may be limited to that kind of expense
GDSTEVE
I'm not arguing that. The procedure would cost around $5k if insurance companies didn't exist.
cannibal87
My first round of chemo was over $18k. At 22, there was no way I could've tried to have that much in savings to begin with.
GDSTEVE
$18k for about $300 worth of drugs...BECAUSE OF INSURANCE. Without insurance, prices would be dictated by the market, not by fixed pricing.
cannibal87
Honestly, didn't have insurance. Young and stupid and no savings. Lived, but will be in debt for the rest of my life.
Hammertulski
Savings are a safety net, sure. It is unreasonable for my entire savings, not to mention other assets/equity/credit/etc. to still be (1/2)
Hammertulski
fully at risk, despite having "top-tier" health insurance for which I pay handsomely and rarely utilize, due to a medical occurrence.
GDSTEVE
That's because of the insurance industry, not the medical industry. Without insurance, the prices would be affordable.
Hammertulski
Your reaction tells me you think that I'm blaming the medical assistance itself for being inherently expensive, and that is not the case.
Steffn
How does it work in countries with insurance and lower prices?
RoodKontjeAapje
Might be the prime reason why I'm very reluctant to ever consider moving to the USA.
Hammertulski
I moved from Cornwall and there are many great things about life here. There is a constant "oh shit, what if" factor that comes with it.
RoodKontjeAapje
I don't think I could live with that lol.
Hammertulski
I feel that’s a factor in a lot of places. Australia, you could step on an octopus and expire instantly. Here, you’ll get billed first.
madknitterlady
An European here, reading these stories and shaking my head in disbelief, why isn't your nation fixing this already, what is stopping you?
IWantedOneOfThoseLongUsernamesTooSoIGotOne
A small number of people are getting extremely rich from it being this way, they'd very much like to keep it that way, and money = power.
Faloopsinarb
We don't run the country. Haven't for decades now. The corporations do.
manfre7874
Republicans.
DickPicEnthusiast
I'm not an American, but my guess is: Republicans?
DiracsDelta
It’s the fact that they both think the only solution is the one opposite of their opponents idea.
DoritosCat
its because people are completely disingenuous about how the system actually works. its complicated but its understandable if you put (1/2)
DoritosCat
the time in but ppl rather put their hands up and just go with whatever narrative they believe notice one word political answers people give
upfr0mhere
And how well is the system working for this man or the millions like him? Healthcare is a right, not a luxury
khtad
Gee, nice life you have there. It would be a shame if you got sick and I had to take all of the money you ever earned in your hour of need.
RedWebPlayer
Capitalism for the most part! Companies run our government!
khtad
Republicans.
Djkb6718
It's profitable for the elite so nothing wrong here, just capitalism doing it's work.
PulpyOJ
Selfishness and greed
PulpyOJ
A “not my problem” attitude
sonicthemariomasterchief
The Republican party
ireallylovetacos
This is very much the answer.
GDSTEVE
And anyone who doesn't want government to control medical options. When an entity has the power to provide, they have the power to withhold.
chuckles11
Inb4 BoTh SiDeS
vegetariangardener
People don’t want to be taxed to subsidize other people’s health. Example: old men complaining of being taxed for maternity care
[deleted]
[deleted]
vegetariangardener
Lol yep
vegetariangardener
“MUH FREEDUMB” is another, where people don’t want “government controlled” healthcare until you ask them if they like Medicare...
vegetariangardener
Also poorly regulated lobbyist influence on policy; ie, lobbyists write bills and politicians pass those bills and take some benefits
DiracsDelta
Realistically, it’s because any transition would result in entire industries collapsing, and people fear that. “Too big to change now” fears
RoodKontjeAapje
Kinda like why they just keep raising VAT on alcohol and tobacco instead of just prohibiting it altogether.
Shoutrr
realistically, it's because the ones that can change it are making money from the current system and use propaganda to convince voters /1
DiracsDelta
And that most of those voters would be more impacted by the disruption, than they are by the dying poor people
Shoutrr
that changing it would be either "communist/socialist", "too complex", "too big to change" or "taxes to heal the lazy"/e
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
It wouldn't if it was done slowly. Lower the age to access Medicare by 5 years, every 5 years. So for example in 2020 people who are over /1
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
60 get it. In 2025, people over 55 get it, etc. It would take until 2060 for everyone over 20 to get it. At some point in that process, /2
InkyBlinkyPinkyAndClyde
add all kids 20 and under or 25 and under if their parents are on it. So that gives a good 40 years for those industries to adjust. They /3
FiftyShadesOfCauliflower
The industries would be just fine. Their shareholders would simply transfer fewer billions into their tax-evading offshore accounts.
DiracsDelta
Ffs are you serious? The one time trickle down economics actually happens is when shit hits the fan. Every medical company would panic.
DiracsDelta
Every single secretary and office worker in the insurance company should fear for their jobs. Every employer health plan out the window.
madknitterlady
So you will just let it continue as it is and kill slowly everyone else except for the really rich people?
kdash2
Yup, that's America
DiracsDelta
God I hope not. But to many, a single payer system would be like shutting down every car dealership and switching to National uber.
DiracsDelta
It’s not a good reason, but there would be so much turmoil, that a majority of people hurt would not be the super rich.
oneoilybird
Those industries are so worth collapsing though, as they currently are anyways.
DiracsDelta
Yeah, but when millions of insurance company office workers would be laid off, you think they would vote for it?
McGreed
Yeah, it's the same problem with prisons, when you have shit like them sueing the state because they don't get enough inmates, it's fucked.
RedWebPlayer
We are fucked