That Feminist Dyke

jadelyn:

boyprincessdiaries:

[I know what it’s like to skip over posts like this because you’re so broke you can’t even help yourself. This is not asking for money, it’s asking for a signature and widespread attention. Please give it a look.]

justoneboi:

skribbls:

I’ve honestly never thought I’d ever write one of these, but here I am and I’m asking for Tumblr’s help.

Amaris Hayden, a woman who I am very happy to know, who taught at my college last year before moving to Nevada, is currently dying in a Las Vegas hospital bed. Her health care provider, the Health Plan of Nevada, made a mistake and Amaris missed a week of her medication. She has a lung disease that requires several medications daily, and when she missed that week, her body began rejecting her lungs. Now, she is being REFUSED to be transferred to the University of Washington Transplant Center for the help she needs because her health care provider claims it is “out of network.”
She will die if she does not get help.

For every moment she is in the hospital, she is losing more and more lung fluid.

Her finger points to the amount of lung fluid in healthy people. That little yellow arrow there shows us how much SHE has.

We are not asking for any money. Just the help she needs.
This her facebook support page. It has many ways for you to help.
PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION: STOP DENYING OUT OF NETWORK, LIFE-SAVING CARE TO PATIENTS. We currently have 28/78 signatures, and many more would not hurt at all.
Here you can contact the Health Plan of Nevada.
And here you can send a message to the governor.

And from Amaris herself:

It seems like the insurance company is content to sit on their hands until I disappear, but I am not going to go gently into that good night. So, it’s time to motivate them to move. Please write a short email urging the local media to do a story on my case. It doesn’t have to be long, just a short paragraph telling them about me and how I am rejecting my lungs. Tell them I have been waiting at the hospital for 2 weeks to be transferred while the insurance refuses to send me to where I can get treatment. The doctors here have done all they can. I am running out of options and time or else I wouldn’t do this, but I will die if I don’t get help. Every second I am here, I lose more lung capacity. Please help and share this to others who know me and those who will care.

BOOST!!!

The real Death Panels in action, y’all.  Go forth and sign.

face-down-asgard-up:

sparkleflaca:

so, i posted about my extremely terrible bad service with Amica life insurance in the livejournal community bad_service a few days ago. i did not include any identifying characteristics about myself, save for my medical info and the fact that I was rejected for life insurance.

Amica, using their official twitter account commented on the entry, essentially calling me a liar, and saying they would report me to LJ abuse. very professional, no?

i’m just disgusted and violated and creeped out. how did they even find the post, and how did they figure out who was the one posting it? i don’t understand.

please reblog this to bring attention to Amica’s despicable and unprofessional practices. thanks.

the original bad service post: http://bad-service.livejournal.com/3104297.html

amica’s comment: http://bad-service.livejournal.com/3104297.html?thread=99864361#t99864361

This shit is 100% unacceptable. Read the posts linked above and spread the word please.

bebinn:

This post will continue to be updated, so if you don’t see anything of use to you, check back to the source or under my Important Posts page. Any resources of these kind that I’ve missed, please reblog with them or message me. This goes for any category you believe you should add, with both financial and social support systems.

Decision-making:

• If you’re not ready or able to talk to anyone, Pregnancy Options has a free, printable workbook to help you make a decision
• Backline offers a full range of reproductive counseling and referrals, and the National Abortion Federation provides information on pregnancy and abortion, and support and referrals for abortion services.
• The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice offers counseling for decision-making, concerns involving abortion, and referrals
• The Abortion Assistance Blog has lists of clinics, abortion funds and people offering rides to/from the clinic, lodging for people traveling a long distance, babysitting, moral support, and referrals
• The Administration for Children & Families has information on adoption
• Here’s a list of adoption lawyers, which you can refine by state
• State Adoption Program Managers
• Knowing how far along you are is important in knowing how much time you have to decide. Ask your local free/low-cost clinic if they perform ultrasounds, or if they can give recommendations. Your nearest Planned Parenthood may offer free or low-cost ultrasounds depending on your income, or provide referrals.
• See if there is a nearby community college or other training site for people studying ultrasound and imaging technology. Sometimes you can get an ultrasound performed for free by students!

Giving Birth (also see Health Care):

• See if a doula and/or midwife program in your city or state offers low-cost or volunteer labor and birth support. Here’s a list of volunteer doula programs to start. It’s also possible to negotiate a lower fee with doulas and midwives.
• Operation Special Delivery provides volunteer doula services to those whose military partners have been injured or killed, and those who are or will be deployed or otherwise unable to attend the birth.
• Medicaid may help cover the cost of a birthing center, which provides a safe and comfortable alternative to hospital or home birth. Some birthing centers also offer payment plans.
• There are lots of online checklists for what to bring to the hospital during your labor and birth
• 32 Ways to Save Money During Your Hospital Birth
• You can negotiate with the hospital - what they charge you is WAY more than what it costs them. If you’re paying in cash, they may give you a discount. There are a lot of tips and forums dealing with hospital negotiations online. Here’s one website.

Health Care:

• Look over your insurance options at Healthcare.gov
• Your state’s Medicaid program
• The Affordable Care Act expands insurance and health care options for pregnant people and children, including the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You can find local health care centers, services, and information on their page.
• Many Planned Parenthood locations provide general health care at little to no cost, depending on your income
• Nurse-Family Partnership offers free at-home (or another safe place) pregnancy and childcare assistance until your child turns two.
• NeedyMeds is a directory of programs that offer assistance to people who can’t afford their medications or health care.
• Free Dental Care can help you find low-cost or free clinics
• Look for dental and dental hygiene schools if you are comfortable with closely-supervised students
• Your state’s United Way program may sponsor or help you connect with low-cost or free dental care

Food:

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) for food and health care services
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
• If you’re a Native American living on or near a reservation, apply for Food Distribution on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)
• Find your local food bank

Housing:

• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development can help find low-rent housing, and provides vouchers to pay for rent.
• Your state may also have similar rental assistance programs.
• The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) provides temporary assistance to households that would otherwise become homeless. You can find help through their list of local grantees.
• RentAssistance.us has a database of over 3,000 government and non-profit agencies that offer financial assistance
• Need Help Paying Bills has lists of charities and government and non-government organizations that offer financial help for anything from rent and utilities, to child care and prescription medication.

Parenting:

• Backline can connect you to parenting resources
• Your state’s Department of Human Services may have a program to provide low-income, working parents with access to quality, affordable child care
• The US Department of Health and Human Services sponsors the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) to both states and Native tribes
• eHow has a step-by-step guide to finding child care assistance through Child Care Aware
• You may be able to find parenting and home ec. classes, baby materials, social support, child care, and other resources through your place of worship
• Many diaper and formula companies offer free samples and opportunities to win packages or cash

Disabilities (also see Health Care):

• Search for your state’s Early Childhood Intervention (ECI or EI) services. These services are mandated by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
• If you or your partner are disabled, your child can receive Social Security benefits
• Family Village is a directory of resources on disability rights, social support, information, and merchandise
• Parent to Parent USA is a national organization that matches families with trained volunteer support parents who can connect them to local resources, provide information on health care, and teach coping skills
• The Arc provides services, information, self-advocacy and employment opportunities, and referrals through their local chapters to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault:

• RAINN has both phone and online counseling hotlines to connect you to local rape crisis centers. Centers offer support, counseling, and other resources.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides similar services, as well as safety planning if you are not able or ready to leave
• Helpline has articles and resources on domestic violence
• What to do if your partner refuses to wear a condom
• Find homeless shelters, family shelters, residential treatment centers, transitional housing, and other women’s shelters via Women’s Shelters
• I’ve thought about leaving - how can I do it?
• Your local Planned Parenthood or reproductive health clinic can offer counseling, discreet birth control, and other resources for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence
• Some crisis pregnancy centers/pregnancy resource centers can also provide, or refer you to places that provide help with rent, prenatal and infant care, and basic baby items. Always use caution when contacting CPCs - many exist to dissuade you from abortion, and some may try to convert you, require you to be Christian or take Bible classes to receive help, or practice coercive adoption. Use them as a last resort or get a recommendation from someone who has used their services.

Please reblog so others have these sources. 

thebergeronprocess:

We only learned about this because THREE lawyers have vultures comb the public records and look for newly-opened cases in state civil court, then send letters to the parties involved offering their services.

In April, our water heater broke and did some water damage to our downstairs neighbor. We’ve been working diligently since then with her company, Allstate, and ours, State Auto, to get things sorted. We thought all was well in June because nothing further had happened.

But no, two days ago Allstate opened up a case against my mom because apparently they’re debating how much to pay in part of the claim to State Auto. (Mom saw an invoice from Allstate and thought it was a bit costly in some areas, but figured State Auto would sort it.)

This is what insurance is for, to pay for things like this, but the woman at State Auto said that Allstate is infamous for opening cases and scaring insurance holders when really there isn’t much of anything we can do.

She assured us that there’s nothing we need to do right now, she’s alerted our agent and whatnot, but in light of the “Progressive defends my dead sister’s killer to avoid having to pay her money out” case, I really think that we need to raise awareness at how predatory, monstrous and frightening insurance companies are to good honest people who are just trying to live a nice stress-free life.

Please reblog, spread far and wide, because seriously Allstate, this SUCKS!

stfuconservatives:

sass—butt:

Hey Tumblr, if you’re poor, under-or-unemployed, and/or uninsured, you can probably get free drugs directly from the manufacturers. 

Yeah, free. Like seriously all you pay for is maybe the doctor/nurse visit you’ll probably need to go to for the prescription. 

The basics, because every program is different:

You need:

• to fill out a buttload of paperwork, which is a pain in the buns, but FREE MEDS
• a prescription for the medication(s) you’re trying to obtain, which means you’ll need to find a doctor or nurse practitioner (someone who can legally write scripts), whom you can also probably see for free at a community clinic if you’re willing to chill on a waiting list for three months.
• proof of residence, official ID, utility bill, something like that
• probably your most recent W-2 or paystub, to prove you need assistance. if you make a “decent” amount but maybe have tremendous bills or something, some companies will make exceptions if you take the time to write a letter explaining the situation, and maybe include a pile of copies of your bills. if you’ve been unemployed for a while or have never worked, they’ll probably ask you to explain how you get by, or to provide proof that you’re getting food stamps or something of the sort. 
• that’s pretty much it.
• like i said, every company is different, so make sure you read every line of the requirements, because it’s a pain in the arse to send all your shit in and find out that whoops you forgot to draw a unicorn on the lower left-hand corner of your 2011 W-2 form or some ridic shit

Links to patient assistance programs; feel free to add your own:

Lilly (Byetta, Cymbalta, Glucagon, Humalog, Humulin, Livalo, Prozac, Quinidine, ReoPro, Strattera, Xigris, Sybyax, Zyprexa) : http://www.lillytruassist.com/pages/FindProgram.aspx

Sanofi-Aventis (Apidra, Lantus, Clolar, Jevtana, Elitek, Leukine, Eloxatin, Mozobil, Eligard, Lovenox, Rilutek, Multaq, Priftin) : https://patientassistanceprogram.sanofi-aventis.us/index.html

abbott (ANDROGEL, PROMETRIUM, Advicor, Creon, Depakote, Gengraf, Humira, Kaletra, Synthroid, Tarka, and several more) : http://www.abbottpatientassistancefoundation.org/pharmaceutical_products.asp

Pfizer (lots and lots of drugs; I have gotten free Zoloft from them in the past) : http://www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com/pages/Application/Application.aspx

Basically, pretty much every major pharmaceutical company has some sort of free/discount drug program; you just have to dig around to find it because nobody tells us about them unless they’re those rare sorts of doctors who actually advocate for their patients.

Service-y! Healthcare reform doesn’t happen at lightning speed, sadly, so I’m sure this is relevant to lots of my readers.

(Source: holdontoyourassbutts)

bemusedlybespectacled:

This is hormonal birth control.

As you can see on the box, you take exactly one pill per day. To make sure it works, you need to take one pill every day at the same time, or it stops working. You take only one pill, and you keep taking them regardless of what you are doing that day.

Hormonal birth control can be used to treat a lot of different diseases, like anemia caused by excessive menstruation. It is a prescription medication that can cost around $15-50 a month. Because it is a prescription medication, it should be covered by insurance, as it treats legitimate health problems.

This is Viagra.

It, too, can treat legitimate health problems like altitude sickness and pulmonary hypertension, but it is usually prescribed for erectile dysfunction. Unlike the Pill, Viagra is taken every time you want to have sex. A lot of health insurance companies cover Viagra, so it costs about as much as your co-pay.

This is a condom.

It is not a prescription medication, and has no health benefits (besides the prevention of STIs and pregnancy). Like Viagra, you must use one before you have sex: indeed, before each sex act. They cost about a dollar per condom.

This is Sandra Fluke.

She testified before a small, Democrat-led hearing after she was cut out of the actual birth control/insurance discussion. Her testimony was about a friend of hers who, because her insurance did not cover birth control, lost an ovary due to an ovarian cyst.

This somehow translates into “I, myself, personally, am having so much sex I can’t afford birth control, and so I want the government to pay for it.”

This is wrong for multiple reasons.

1. It was about a friend, not her. To say her testimony was about her personally is factually incorrect.
2. Sex had nothing to do with the testimony - her friend lost an ovary because of medical condition that was left untreated. A medical condition that was completely treatable, but wasn’t, because her insurance wouldn’t cover it. To say that her testimony was about her being “a slut” or “a prostitute” is factually incorrect.
3. Even if she was having loads of sex, she would still only have one pill a day, not one pill per sex act, so to say “I’m having so much sex I can’t afford birth control” is completely erroneous. The Pill is not Viagra or condoms. To say that she is such “a slut” that she constantly needs more pills is factually incorrect.
4. The current political debate is not “should the government pay for birth control?” The debate is “should insurance companies, that people and their employers pay for, on their own, be required to cover birth control?” To say that Sandra Fluke wants the government to pay for her birth control is factually incorrect.
5. Religious organizations do not want to have birth control covered by their insurance, even for employees not of their faith, even if their employees never actually use their insurance to cover birth control. By this logic, they should also not pay their employees, because they could use that money to pay for birth control out of pocket. To say that this issue is about religious freedom and not about women’s health is disingenuous, as Ms. Fluke’s testimony demonstrates.

Hopefully this makes things a little clearer.