I am scared about the future

[joyluckclub]

I haven't written much lately.  Graduate school is kicking my butt!

I''ve always wanted to own my own business.  I keep on holding out hope that I will be able to afford my healthcare when I eventually decided to be on my own.  Does anyone on the forums here own their own business and take care of the healthcare as well?

[DingoBoi]

sadly, I've come to the conclusion i have to be a corporate slave becaue I could never afford health care without company sponsored insurance.

I wish it wasn't that way as I want to do much more than 401k's, but without healthcare insurance, I feel trapped.

[IzPoz]

A friend of mine has a wife and two kids.  He had his own business (which he sold a couple of weeks ago) and he never had health insurance for anyone in his family.  He said it was too expensive.

But we live in South Florida, so I don't know if that's a difference.

Just don't let that get you down, C.  Don't let that stand in your way of fulfilling what you want to do in life.  Things may be different for you, and you may be able to afford the insurance on your own.  Start researching how much the premiums would be for you and see what you can do.  It may take some time to get there, but I have a feeling one day you will fulfill your dreams.  You just seem to be that kind of person.

[Dachshund]

Unfortunately the question of the uninsured keeps coming up over and over again...a chilling reality to folks living with HIV in the United States and other parts of the globe. I wish it was as easy as someone posting, here you go call this number, here's a company that offers affordable health insurance to folks with HIV. The reality is at this time, in this country, your chances of finding and affording private health insurance are very slim. Hell, it's impossible for about 46 million people in the U.S. positive and negative. That being said you just keep moving forward as best you can. I work without health insurance and the dark cloud of getting sick follows me around like a running joke in a Peanuts cartoon.
However, the programs that exist today (Ryan White, ADAP) do allow you a semblance of hope to work towards your goals. I also volunteer with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign working towards universal health care.This gives me a place to direct passion and anger and also a place to hope.

Good luck to you.

[BriGuyNY,NY]

Hi  Can relate too.  I'm looking to relocate out of NY due to overall stress of the city.  I'm a nurse, with a strong union, and incredible contract.  My current benefit's plan includes,  100% insurance premium coverage paid by the hospital, no co-pay's, no flex spending plans,  100% drug coverage, no co-pays, $10 co-pay for MD visits, both primary, and specialist.  These benefits, plus dental and vision,  based on calculations, cost the hospital $ 1000/month per nurse.  At present, I'd be insane to give this up.  So have to really evaluate everything and see what is most important now.  I know there are severl low cost inusrance co-op's available, Freelancers union is one here in NY, that provide coverage (no idea of the benefits)  could be worth a look for your transitional period.  Again, don't deny your dreams...good luck

[jack]

I have owned my own businesses since 1982. I had my own health insurance till it got so expensive, $800 per month, I fucked up and dropped it in 1989. On the blood test for my new health insurance I discovered I was HIV+. hahahahaha. How dumb do you think I felt? We decided my wife should start working again. It took a year or so till I could be covered on her policy.
Small business owners pay the highest cost for health insurance.   Just another reason someone has to fix the present system. I hate the idea of the government taking over, because if you think its fucked up now wait till the  no account government employees get involved, but it is so far down that road already there is no coming back.

[Moffie65]

Hi Joy,

Good to see you drop in this morning.  Are you enjoying Roots as much as I am this week?

Now, down to business.

I have no idea where you are in the country, but in many parts of the country you can enroll in a county insurance group, or in many parts there are actually groups set up for businesses in a particular geographic area. 

In my last home in California in Sonoma County, there was a health insurance group that would only cover people in Sonoma County.  It was very reasonable and covered most people very well.

In some types of business catagories there are groups set up to cover individual businesses.  This is not unusual in the Real Estate business as most there work on their own, and either lease office space to a broker or else set up their own offices.

There are also private business groups which exist and function for the individual business owner very well also. 

In this day of confusion about HIV, there is every possibility that you could actually get covered by showing how well you are handling the disease and how long you are expected to live with the new HAART therapies.  You might also be able to negotiate based on the assumption that your meds might be covered outside of the health insurance that you are seeking.

There are so very many possibilities that I don't think that there is any reason to doubt the positive opportunities at this point.  Do your research and see what you can find out.

Love,

[Robert]

We all agree health coverage is really f~~ked up.  It's responsible for enough problems in our lives.  But whatever you do, don't let it get in the way of your dreams. 

Your dreams are far too important for that.

robert

[ACinKC]

I haven't written much lately.  Graduate school is kicking my butt!

I''ve always wanted to own my own business.  I keep on holding out hope that I will be able to afford my healthcare when I eventually decided to be on my own.  Does anyone on the forums here own their own business and take care of the healthcare as well?

Consider the Canadian Option if it is one.  Not sure about what the exact laws are regarding an HIV+ person becoming a citizen but you may consider opening up an office north of the border and utilizing it's business laws and healthcare system to maximize your dream.

Just throwing out an idea here, so it could be TOTALLY impossible, im not sure.

[joyluckclub]

Thank you for your replies.  I will do some research on some of the options you have given me.