I Got Mad. I Tweeted. I Ended Up on CNN Live!

Posted on July 23rd, 2009 by Peggy Duncan

UPDATE: I’ll be back on CNN this Thursday, July 30th with Rick Sanchez around 3:30PM…related healthcare topic.

I don’t usually get into personal issues on my blog, but this topic on healthcare reform for people with pre-existing conditions hit home. I ended up on CNN talking about it, and since I have other articles here about how media opportunities come my way all the time, this story fits.

Yes. I am totally with President Obama on healthcare reform and wish the naysayers would stop whining and screaming so we can get this done. I want the food industry to make food healthier and stop putting salt, sugar,  steroids, and other junk in our food. I want individuals to get more serious about the food, drink, and abusive substances they put in their bodies. I want a national movement of people walking and exercising. And I want all companies in the healthcare industry and our government to examine every process, procedure, and technology solution, from the mailroom to the boardroom, so they operate more efficiently.

How This Started

I tweeted the other day because I was mad when I happened to turn on the TV and listened to people with $40 million dollar salaries talk about there being no need for a public option for healthcare for regular people like me.

Here’s the tweet that started all this. I don’t usually use curse words, but oops.

15 years since pre-existing condition and Kaiser still tells me no. I can pay for insurance and can’t get it. Damn right I want reform.

Later, I tweeted this:

My President is trying to get insurance for me. First thing out of Bill OReillys $40million mouth is that it’s rhetoric.

Well, little did I know that CNN was looking for regular, ordinary, hard-working Americans to interview who are in my situation. They called, and I didn’t hesitate. Well, I did a little bit. I don’t usually discuss my personal life outside my immediate family. People who have been knowing me for years had no idea that I’m a breast cancer survivor. The 15 years in the tweet was where I was the last time Kaiser turned me down. That was two years ago, so now I’m a 17-year survivor.

I was glad I’d decided to do the show when I received this tweet from a follower:

Serious Q because of what you do -like me-don’t you pay for your own ins? Then why do “we” need the GOV to do it for you or me?

This was my response to her. I didn’t hear back.

The gov won’t pay all for people like me who can afford it. I want to pay but I have a pre-existing condition and am denied.

Obtaining viable health insurance is not like going to the store with money and picking out what you need and getting it. Once you’ve had the audacity to get sick, you’re too much of a risk for the insurance companies, and having the money to pay the premiums won’t matter.

Join the conversation on CNN’s site.
Check out all
the active comments.

PEACE.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

Filed under: Public Relations, Social Media

« »
  • chrislambrecht
    Peggy, I understand. I pay about $1200 a month for insurance that pays very little until I first pay the $4500 deductible. That means, if we stay reasonably healthy, it costs our three member family about $16,000 a year, or about 25% of our earnings, perhaps even a higher % this year. But, the real question is not what is best for me and my family as individuals, but what is the responsibility of our governments.

    There is no doubt we need healthcare reform, particularly for those who are uninsured, but we shouldn't try to make too many changes too quickly. The federal government's track record in doing that isn't so great.

    Good luck to you, and stay healthy!
  • peggyduncan
    Hi Chris, thanks for writing. We need the public option. With the younger, more tech savvy generation coming into jobs in DC, I'm hoping they'll get it together.

    At least you can get some insurance. I have a pre-existing condition from 17 years ago and still can only get hospital insurance with a $5,000 deductible. All of my preventative care is out of pocket...can't get health insurance. This has to change. I don't mind paying a reasonable premium, but they won't take my money. The only people making money in all this is the insurance company. That is over.
  • Memo
    Here's the thing, it sounds as if Kaiser is denying treatment due to pre-existing conditions. Here's where I educate you a bit, and after my next short statement, you'll be Picketing Against Obama's plan. What if I told you that Kaiser is the closest thing to Social Healthcare. The same plans that are a failure in other countries. Want to get a good feel for what Obama's plan is like, go to an Indian Reservation.
  • peggyduncan
    Kaiser only wants healthy people. And what failure in other countries? Check out the comments on the CNN site and find out how Canadians, for example, LOVE their healthcare.

    Since you're against President Obama's plan for the people, I just hope you don't have the audacity to get sick, lose your job, or start a business.

    The status quo only makes money for the insurance companies, lobbyists, and men and women in Congress that are being rewarded. Change has been needed for a very long time, and I'm grateful that we finally have a true leader for all people (not just the so-called "real Americans").

    I want a choice. Give the insurance companies some competition.
  • pegcorwin
    Right on, Peggy. You show the power of social media to stand out and be heard.
  • Way to go, Peggy! When something hits a nerve and we get mad or just passionate about something, that is when the real conversations start. You have the unique gift of sharing real-life communication and I am thrilled CNN picked up on it! That alone shows the power of blogging! Keep it up!
  • Kaycee Schippers
    Thank you for speaking up Peggy. People only hear what they want to hear. President Obama said the reason he wants a public option for healthcare is to keep insurance companies honest and to inject some competition to the insurance market. It makes sense to me and I think we should at least give it a try.
  • peggyduncan
    Thank you Kaycee, we'd better do something or we're going to implode.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Copyright © 2010 PSC Press. All Rights Reserved.