Saving by Insurance

My Name is Brian and I Have United Healthcare Insurance : Brian Donovan

That's right. The great Satan in the healthcare debate; the company that's sending its employees to town halls and tea parties posing as concerned Americans who love our current healthcare system; the company that owns the Lewin Group, a supposedly independent think tank that's been supplying Republicans with their anti-reform talking points; the company that made 5 billion dollars last year despite a recession. I give them $400 a month. It gets worse'

So what do I do? I'm a writer, which in case you didn't realize, does not come with an abundant package of healthcare options. When the cobra insurance from my most recent gig jumped to $750 per month, I told them to shove it. (I said those actual words, in fact. I am meaner to customer service representatives than anyone else in the world. And I'm comfortable with that.) It's called Cobra insurance, incidentally, because if you don't keep a careful eye on it it'll kill you in your sleep. Because I've had a history of somewhat taxing medical problems (did you know you could be allergic to air?), going without insurance wasn't an option. So I shopped around, compared prices, talked to my doctors, took a break to look at porn, compared more prices and found my savior: United Healthcare.

Honestly, their pricing was the best. They had several of my regular physicians in network. And their prescription drug coverage was moderately acceptable. So now I'm stuck. I finally have health insurance that I sort of like, but it requires me to hand my money to the devil. Universal health insurance is my #1 issue as a voter. I supported Hillary Clinton long after it made sense (otherwise known as "Iowa"), solely because of her devotion to the cause. If Obama passes reform without a public option I will not vote for him in 2012, no matter who his opponent is. That's how crazy and unilateral I am on this issue. And yet, for some reason, I can't get myself to cancel my policy with United.

I feel like a traitor. Like the sort of person who makes his friends go to an all-night karaoke bar then announces he doesn't actually like to sing. I believe deeply that United is a terrible company, that their profits are made in the most disgusting of circumstances. I believe that there is such a thing as Death Panels - they're more commonly known as the Executive Boards of every major health insurance company. But for me, they haven't been so bad. So what do I do? Do I stand by my principles and cancel my health insurance with United, taking great pride in telling another customer service rep to go have sex with themselves? Or do I act prudently, keeping my insurance while fighting hard against the people who provide it. Honestly, I have no idea. If you have any counsel, I'd be happy to hear. Just don't recommend anti-depressants, because I don't have coverage for that. Believe me, I've tried.