Forgotten Americans: Like Me

I've written to every candidate that I can think of to ask why, in every possible context, in every piece of legislation, in every single respect, people like myself are excluded - completely disregarded. Not one politician has bothered to respond...ever.

Who am I?

I am a 52 year-old disabled woman, completely ignored by my government. I used to be a woman who worked over sixty hours each week from the time my daughter was born in 1979, until I was placed on disability in 2002. I used to be a woman who was the sole support of my child since 1983 when I became divorced. I used to be a woman whose ex-husband died in 1993, after a seven-year battle with AIDS, owing me over $60,000 in child support. I used to be a woman who had a retirement plan and money put aside, who had a savings account, who used my hard-earned money to completely repay the $24,000 I had placed on my credit cards in the 1980’s in order to pay my rent, utilities, daughter’s tuition, and other ordinary life expenses. I did this because my income alone was not enough to provide for her. I did this because I had high medical bills.

I now rely completely on my disability insurance income to survive. It is private insurance (not Social Security, as I've been denied on appeal) from my previous employer and it can be terminated at any time. I want to be clear that it is completely "arbitrary coverage." There are NO “cost-of-living” increases, ever. There are no adjustments and there is no negotiation, lest I run the risk of willful termination. My disability will permanently cease when I turn 62--regardless if I have ever become eligible for SSI, or other aid.

This arbitrary income is nowhere near what’s needed to make ends meet. My medical bills and health insurance combined is currently over sixty-percent of my income!!! What happens if I max out my private health insurance? This is insurance that costs me nearly $10,000 in premium and deductibles, and another $2,000 to 4,000 in out-of-pocket expense.

By the way, am I ever going to be go out to or rent a movie, eat dinner out, buy a book or CD, attend the ballet, or any other form of entertainment besides garage sales? I have not done any of these things and many others since about 1996. I have been forced into a hermit-like existence because I am slowly dying from my country’s complete disregard for people like me.

I am either too poor to obtain much-needed services, or my gross (same as net) income is too great. No public agencies take my medical care costs into consideration when I apply with them. My own government ignores me even when Stimulus Payments are given out. No tax return, no payment. Also, ONLY Social Security Disability is accepted. What about me? I repeat, what about me?

What happens if the company providing my disability income cancels it, or goes out of business? I already had to cash out my insignificant retirement account four years ago to cover my medical bills. If I'm lucky enough to survive and get disability income to age 62, what the heck am I supposed to do at that time? Shall I live in a box on the street?

And, where is the regulation on private disability providers? Why don’t they offer COL increases or income adjustments? Why is it that every calculation for government-subsidized services ignores Americans on private payer disability?

I used to be a hard-working American, quite happy to pay my income taxes. In fact, the higher that payment, the more “real” I felt as a citizen. I’ve asked every presidential candidate to answer me. But they were obviously too busy.

Now, I am asking you.

Why can’t you stand up for Democratic ideals? Why can’t you stand up against the criminals in the current administration? Why can’t you stand-by citizens like me and provide solutions? Will you ever do so during my lifetime? Or, as is more likely…will I die of my government’s complete disregard?

I want to hear a solid plan for taking care of me -and others like me. No one should suffer as much as me. The alternative is to take all of my pain meds at once and put the problem behind me. Of course, someone will have to pay for my funeral, because I can't! Would that be you?

Sincerely,

Ar Foster
Fort Collins, CO