One thing I've learned is not to judge, as other here have stated. I know I feel actual physical pain for my clients when I hear what they are dealing with, in terms of having enough food, paying for clothes, etc.
But, I get really mad when I hear some of you describing situations where you are paying more for health insurance than your mortgage. What's wrong with this country?
When my son graduated from college, he had a job without benefits. He made about 40K a year, so not poverty, but not a lot to live in Boston. We told him he *had* to have health insurance. So, because of the horrible mandated health insurance act we have in Massachusetts, the state was able to connect him to a very good Blue Cross plan for 200.00 a month. Did he like paying that? No. But he did have to use it a few times and was very glad he had it. He didn't qualify for Mass Health benefits that my clients get, but there was a safety net. A lot of his friends refused to buy the insurance and hoped that they didn't get sick or the state didn't find out and fine (tax) them. This is what our Supreme Court is fighting about right now. I took the mandate seriously, and I never would have let my son try to get out of having insurance. I've had enough medical things, to know that it's not an option. Why do we think it's OK to let people suffer?