Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Real World Obamacare

The new year is only 26 days old and we're already seeing fallout from the not-yet-completely-implemented Obamacare.

Mrs. Nod is in her 35th week of pregnancy. Historically she delivers big babies even though she is a small woman. Even Nub, who was 5 weeks premature, weighed in at 8 pounds. The OB told her this week that due to hospital rule changes from Obamacare, they are not allowed to induce her before 39 weeks.

If that happens, we may be looking for all the pieces of Humpty-Dumpty to put her back together again. Mrs. Nod would be "dead on the prairie" if not for modern medicine, early inducement, and really big needles and thread.  We will be appealing.

Next, our family doctor provider (whom we were allowed to keep if we liked them) has regretfully informed us that due to the budget cut tricks in Obamacare (21% cut in payments to doctors) they will not be able to take any more Medicare/Medicaid patients and they will try their hardest to keep the ones they currently have.

Fortunately, we don't use Medicare/Medicaid, but if we had, we'd be hurting about now. I know our doctor is.

Another wrinkle is that the pre-tax amount I was allowed to put away in a medical FSA was slashed by about $1000. So much for saving money and managing my own costs.

These are but a few (small) examples of the ripples that "well intentioned" changes make. I fear for those with a larger stake.

6 comments:

Elizabeth said...

I will say some prayers that they approve your appeal. Sad really, this is EXACTLY what amny of us said would happen all along. Beaurocrats making rules that override the Doctors medical decisions. UGH. Blessings to Mrs Nod and all of the nodlings. We will pray for you. (we say special prayers for all little babies waiting to be born in our family night prayers...we will add you by name)

Nod said...

Thanks, Elizabeth. Your gracious prayers are gratefully accepted! We're hoping she "spontaneously" goes into labor at 38 weeks.

laurazim said...

If you don't mind a random suggestion...there is a wonderful site with lots of great information about encouraging natural induction. Look for it here http://www.bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/natural-induction-methods , and I *promise* you this is not spam. If you click on the accupressure link, there are very specific points which are helpful...we used several of them during my last labor. God speed, little one, and may Mrs. Nod have a smooth, safe, and as-easy-as-possible labor and birth!!

Joann said...

God bless you! I will add my prayers for a safe pregnancy and delivery and the success of your appeal.

Kathleen@so much to say said...

I, too, will pray for early labor for you. I'm one of those who has big babies, too, and would be dead without medical intervention...in my case, a surgical knife. :/ Anyway. It's inevitable in something as big as this law that there are going to be problems that need to be addressed, but there is so much wrong with our system as it stands, too, that I still do believe that something had to be done. It can be fine-tuned (or altered dramatically) as it goes, but the first step is to DO something. I know there are major problems with the new law, but one thing they got right, which is near and dear to my heart, is the support for people with special needs. Finally, families don't have to bury themselves in debt to get the therapies their kids need to be productive members of society. So I have a hard time supporting the Republican efforts to tear the whole works down. It's not all bad. Better to take a thoughtful look and figure out which parts need altering.

Barb Schoeneberger said...

Will pray for your wife and family. My mom carried my brother, who grew to be 6'7" for 10 months. He was a 10 lb. baby and I don't know how she did it. No Cesarean either.

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