Paws for concern
Thor, upon getting the news
Like so many others in our country, this American is about to lose his health care.
I speak, of course, of my team member Thor.
Thor has been with us about 10 years. His references were strong, he was quite eager for the position, and his initial interview with our team member Xena went well. Xena has done an excellent job heading up security; we’ve had absolutely no break-ins while she’s been on duty, and no one has entered our location or even come close without her sounding the alarm. Still, we thought she’d perform better with a junior member of the team, one she could mentor and, frankly, lord over — clearly a psychological imperative with her; as is done with many an office bully, we work around her. Sure enough, their partnership has thrived as they’ve divvied up duties well, with Xena warding off strangers in the manner of a warrior princess and Thor, despite being for some reason named after the god of Thunder, serving as a friendly ambassador who sits in on all meetings and smooths the way.
But: Imagine my surprise today when I was informed that our benefits provider is, essentially, kicking Thor off the health insurance policy. They’ve made an adjustment now that he’s over 70 (13 in dog years) and are offering $5,000 in annual coverage, with a $500 deductible, for a robust demand of a $365/month premium. It’s blatant age discrimination, and I’m shocked that it’s legal.
Now, anyone doing the math can see quite readily that we would be spending $4380 a year, plus not recouping the $500 deductible, for a total cost of $4880 — for a potential net benefit of just $120. Sometimes one has to make hard decisions, but this was not one of those times. Only a fool would agree to this (which makes me think that a certain stripe of voter will indeed be signing up for it).
Thor’s health insurance runs out effective end of September. We’re all just glad that he recently completed the extensive dental work he needed (cost: about $1600 had it been without insurance). Although, before he grew accustomed to his new dentition, it was strange to see him with his tongue hanging out — but we don’t judge. We respect everyone.
Will Thor be on his own, now that he joins the ranks of the uninsured? Because an Australian Shepherd who was with us previously once rang up about $1200 in emergency suturing years ago after a nasty run-in with a Rottweiler, I know Thor would never be able to simply turn up at an emergency room without paying his bill.
I’m soft-hearted. I wish the best for everyone, and I believe that everyone deserves health care. And the particulars in this case pull at me. Here we have someone who’s been on the job for almost his entire life, with nary a complaint, and never a day off. We will see him through right to the end, no matter what any damn insurance company chooses to say about it.
I just hope that his eventual medical bills don’t spell the end of us.