LIVID, was that you on NPR this evening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:LIVID here. No the procedure was not covered. I was able to negotiate the rate down to what BCBS would have paid had it been covered for the hospital, my doctor and the anesthesiologist. The total was about 5000 instead of 9000.

I visited around 35 Senate offices and talked to Senators and staffers in the winter of 2009 to tell my story. At the time, there was a good chance that the rider that gets renewed every year in the appropriations bill was going to be taken out. In fact, Durbin had taken it out of the bill but then the debates on the ACA started and the appropriations bills were all tabled until after the ACA was passed. We all saw what happened in that debate. During the debate over funds/abortion/exchanges Sen. Feinstein told my story on the Senate floor which was pretty cool. She was the original person to take up my "cause" if you will. Her staff was completely outraged. Sadly, my side lost and politicians are still prohibiting coverage to Feds, Military, Peace Corps and anyone buying with a subsidy under the ACA.

That last part could be/should be the spark to light the fire.

[Anonymous]

LIVID, thank you so much for the update and for telling your story. I am so sorry that you have not been able to have a child. You would have been an amazing mother.

You have already done so much good with your life and with such a terrible experience. I wish I could know you IRL. I would love for you to be in my son's life. (I know it's weird to say that, but it's true.)

Have you ever considered being a long-term foster parent to an older child? Before I got (shockingly) pregnant at 41, that was the road I was considering going down. I know I have a lot to offer an older child and there are SO many adolescent foster kids who have no hope of permanent placements, but who need mentoring through young adulthood. I think of any young man or woman who could have you as a stabilizing influence in his/her life and I am blown away with thinking of the good you could do (and perhaps the reward you would feel).

I wish you all the luck in the world.