I just got our heath insurance renewal, and we’re now paying more for our health insurance than virtually every other expense category, including our mortgage.

Beyond that, the insurer tried to quietly drop some of our coverage. So we’re paying 10% more for 20% less. Meanwhile, the benefit administrator conveniently neglected to mention the change in benefits… which I only noticed because I always read the fine print.

I wouldn’t feel so frustrated if it felt like the system actually worked, and that my money is being well spent. But as a healthy family, we pay an exorbitant cost for mediocre coverage, and meanwhile, so much money is just flowing to so many middle men capturing a cut… leading to a continuous cycle of paying more for less.

And then I sit here and think how privileged I am… and I wonder that if I’m feeling frustrated with this, what the hell are people doing who live paycheck to paycheck? And when if ever will we incite radical reform?

In the meantime, behold American ingenuity… where they find a way to squeeze in yet another vulture to pick at your corpse and charge you for the privilege.

current mood: miffed

current music: glen hansard – the closing door