I dont think Baby Boomers have anything to do with it

[capri0mni]

This is a "chat" I posted to my Tumblr, today. And I'm posting it now, in response to This story segment from dialecticdreamer, and the ensuing discussion.

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Disabled Person: I need a wheelchair.

Wheelchair Manufacturer: We won't sell you one unless Medicare will pay for it*

Disabled Person: I need a wheelchair.

Medicare: Can you walk 20 feet?

Disabled Person: It's 40 feet from my front door to my bedroom...

Medicare: Can you walk 20 feet?

Disabled Person: I can, but it's excruciatingly painful, my balance is terrible, and I risk falling at every step.

Medicare: Then No.

Disabled Person: Why not?

Medicare: We're running out of money. The Baby Boomers are getting old and sick. And the Gen X'ers and Millennials are not reproducing. Very sorry. Have a nice day.

800K Gen-X & Millennial "Dreamers": Hey! we're paying into Social Security!

Medicare: You don't count.

110K Refugee Applicants: We want to come into your country, and contribute to your economy, including helping to pay for Social Security. Please let us in?

Federal Government: No!

Disabled Person: I still need a wheelchair.

Medicare: Very sorry. Absolutely nothing we can do.

Disabled Person: ...

"Dreamers": ...

Refugees: ...

Medicare: Buh-bye! Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

---

*Footnote: Even if you are wealthy enough to purchase a wheelchair out-of-pocket, many suppliers still require proof of insurance. And even private insurers copy Medicare's policies when it comes medical equipment and mobility aids.

Comments

[davidgillon]

That's even more broken than here in the UK, didn't think that was possible!

[capri0mni]

Yeah.

A lot of Disabled Americans look UK's system and sigh with envy...

But also, a lot of disabled Americans don't hear the horror stories of how people are bullied and manipulated in the P.I.P. qualifications interviews, either. :-/

[davidgillon]

I've got a bunch of friends stuck in the 'need a powerchair but can technically stand so aren't eligible for one' Catch-22, but we at least don't have that won't sell you one insurance Catch-22 to close off the alternate route.

[capri0mni]

*nod*

That's what makes me so mad (Well, one of the reasons), when people jump to the "faker!" conclusion when they see someone stand from a chair for ten seconds.

We already have to jump through so many hoops just to get a chair, that if you see someone using one, you can bet they actually need it.

[jesse_the_k]

Oh fuck yes! Thank you for pinpointing this error.

[capri0mni]

You're welcome. :-)

A bit of clarificaton (after sleeping on it):

[capri0mni]

To be fair (to an unfair policy): this "rule" from the manufacturers/suppliers isn't written that way in so many words, but the end result ends up being:

It might as well be!

A Wheelchair manufacturer won't sell you a wheelchair without a doctor's or therapist's prescription in your hot little hand (because they want to make sure they're not selling you something that will cause further injury, and open themselves up to a lawsuit).

But a doctor or therapist won't write you a prescription if your insurance won't cover it -- even if they agree that you actually need it (because they don't want to prescribe something that has the potential to bankrupt you).

And the reason buying a wheelchair costs enough to potentially bankrupt someone? The manufacturer has to figure insurance costs and doctors' fees into their overhead (at least, that's what they tell us).

...And 'round and 'round we go!