Well, here’s a consequence to Hurricane Ike I never dreamed possible, all the way across the continent in Upstate New York: the bureaucracy. My medical insurance company is unreachable and cannot approve my scheduled MRI (an MRI is like an x-ray). Why? Because the insurance center is in Texas; and because of the hurricane, the power is out there. Therefore, everyone in New York State who needs approval for our tests, scans, and appointments cannot get approval for anything. My MRI has been delayed for over a week and counting.

I’m shocked by it, really. I have New York State health insurance coverage. It’s NEW YORK STATE. I assumed everything would be through New York State offices? No, says my doctors’ offices. New York State has outsourced its own health insurance policies! I asked the office– no one can schedule an appointment or a test- no one in New York State who has this coverage– because of the hurricane in Texas?! They said that is correct.

Well, blow me over with chinese air tools and call me Ike! For one, NYS can’t even support it’s own health insurance company?! Not only are New Yorkers leaving NY for Texas, NYS business is, too, apparently! And two, they KNEW the hurricane was a-coming! Why did they leave all that information in one location, so vulnerable?!

I wouldn’t care so much, but my health insurance coverage ends October 1st. I’m contesting the termination, but knowing how slow the bureaucratic slug moves, it may not be reinstated for half a year. And the funny thing is, the company needs an MRI to determine my eligibility. [insert crazy, maniacal screaming]

Somedays ya just gotta throw yer hands up in the air and give a good laugh. Holy cow, the things that go on around here!

The Midwest has been having horrible, torrential weather. It’s weather and flooding very similar to what Upstate New York experienced two years ago. I was watching a news broadcast about the flooding in Indiana and Missouri. My heart just goes out to these people who have lost EVERYTHING. Where are all the calls for aid for these people? Why is it that everyone and their mother wants to help Myanmar and China and Sri Lanka, but ignore your countrymen who have nothing but the clothes on their backs?

The sad thing is that these people’s homes were insured, but their insurance won’t cover the damages. Why? Because the insurance companies are calling these floods “100-year” storms. These people didn’t have flood insurance– how could they, they didn’t live in flood plains!– and so the insurance companies won’t help them. This is absolutely criminal, in my book. It’s disgusting that insurance companies charge such outrageous fees and then they won’t lift a finger to help you. These people have lost EVERYTHING. They should at least get all their premiums returned that they’ve paid to the insurance companies! Crooks.