Submitted by Conrad Jackson, Aug 28, 2007 13:09

I am one of the wave of self-employed (contractor) who are increasingly represented in the baby boomer portion of the work force. Age discrimination (and or other issues) has swelled these ranks. I am also a member of the wave of people recently diagnosed as diabetic. Fortunately I am enjoying good health at the present time. But I cannot get private health insurance, even though I am keen to do everything I can to protect and improve my health. "Affordable rates" will not help those of us who won't be given a chance to take advantage of them.

I don't have a sure-fire fix either. But it is clear to me that I am simply on the front end of a wave of policy denials as the insurance companies follow their profit motive to cherry pick their customers (as I would probably do if I were in their shoes under the current rules). I do not think that it is an acceptable national policy to simply tell people "tough luck for you". The time is probably not right yet, but the political backlash from this situation will eventually be really nasty.

Eventually there must be limits to what insurance will cover. Ultimately richer people will be able to afford more exotic treatments. Fundamentally, it is right for the consumer of medical care to pay as much of their own load as possible. And for decades I did pay well more than my share. Now, of course, someone else is enjoying the benefit of my past premiums and I cannot do so.

So who is addressing this problem?

Conrad Jackson

Kennesaw, GA

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.