Many years back when out of work I learned the hard way that going to the ER to get something looked at got *horribly* expensive so, when I inherited some money I got on a health plan.

When the money ran out a couple of years ago, I did without.

I'm *now* told that ways could have been found to get me stuff like my diabetes meds. But based on those previous no-coverage periods, I wasn't about to try that. Maybe I was wrong. But all my *experience* said it wouldn't happen.

I got lucky. This fall I got picked in the lottery for the Oregon Health Plan. So I now have some coverage.

And only a few days after I got the card, I went to the ER for a wound on my leg that was getting bigger instead of healing.

If I hadn't gotten lucky I might have lost my leg. In which case I'd have lost everything. And possibly died.

Hell, there was an incident about a year and half back where I was either having a *major* stress-induced panic attack or maybe having a heart attack. But the stress was because my apartment was going to be inspected later that day and if it didn't pass, I could be evicted. So I just sat down and tried to work thru the pain.

The Republicans and the folks who are listening to them just don't get it. They have no understanding of what it's like if you are poor *and* sick.