'It's like we are just a piece of garbage': Laid-off Philly workers face life without health

[TexasTowelie]

‘It’s like we are just a piece of garbage’: Laid-off Philly workers face life without health insurance


Days after Mayor Jim Kenney issued a sweeping order requiring most Philadelphia businesses to shut down to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Phyllis Davis found out she was losing her job.

Davis, 52, a concierge supervisor at the Hampton Inn near the Convention Center, was devastated. She had given her whole life to Hersha Hospitality Management, which owns the inn, working almost all the roles during her 23 years with the company: housekeeper, bell clerk, front desk, breakfast bar.

But a few weeks later, after reading her layoff letter closely, she realized her situation was even worse than she had thought. Hersha had cut her health insurance on the same day she was laid off.

“We’re losing our jobs," Davis said. "That’s a big thing. And to turn around and you can’t go to the clinic because you don’t have health insurance? It’s just like we’re a piece of garbage. They just threw us to the curb.”

Read more: https://www.inquirer.com/jobs/labor/coronavirus-layoffs-health-insurance-hourly-workers-philadelphia-20200402.html

[mr_lebowski]

1. Hey, ya know those employer-sponsored health plans that 'everybody loves' so much? nt

[wcmagumba]

2. American capitalism at its finest...nt

[bronxiteforever]

3. "We take of our own"

I been knocking on the door that holds the throne
I been looking for the map that leads me home
I been stumbling on good hearts turned to stone
The road of good intentions has gone dry as a bone
We take care of our own
We take care of our own
Wherever this flag’s flown
We take care of our own
B.Springsteen

[John Fante]

4. B-b-but universal healthcare is socialism!!

[Midnight Writer]

5. Unions! Organize! Don't take this shit lying down.

[Wellstone ruled]

6. 30 million unemployed is

about two weeks away.

Sick part is,very few States have the Reserves to make Unemployment Payments.

Most Red States have changed eligibility rules so hang on,this is about to get friggin ugly. Contract workers,part timers and Gig Workers are on your own.

[SheltieLover]

7. Grrrrr

Sad as it is, maybe more Americans will wake up to the fact that we need a public option, at the least & vote blue no matter who!

[Hoyt]

8. On positive side, article indicates some employers are continuing to pay health insurance premiums,

and Medicaid will pick up a good portion of unemployed.


Here's another article on options including Medicaid, ACA with subsidies, COBRA, funds recently enacted that will go pay for some care, unemployment that will likely replace all lost income for four months:

"Medicaid will be a lifeline for droves of Americans affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Why it matters: Medicaid has long been the safety net that catches people during hard times, but a crisis of this magnitude will call upon the program — and strain states' budgets — like never before. [Recent legislation is offering funds to states to help.]

"The big picture: Millions of people have already filed for unemployment amid the coronavirus-induced economic shutdown, and many of them will end up on Medicaid. The program will pick up many people who lost their income and their health insurance together, as well as people who lost jobs that didn't provide health insurance, and potentially some people who are still working and need medical care but aren't insured."

https://www.axios.com/medicaid-aca-coronavirus-lifeline-f71c3adc-c153-4069-97f6-fa439060ef71.html


Fully understand no one should have to go through this, including anxiety and fear. But, there is coverage and help for many -- but, unfortunately not all -- in this lady's situation.