Politics aside...does anyone think our current healthcare system is working?

This question strikes me today as I received a bill from Bub's pediatrician for his 2 month shots. The visit and shots cost $1052 without insurance. There was some sort of chaos and our insurance coverage for Bub termed after 30 days. By the grace of God, I was able to get it resolved with a few phone calls. But during that precarious hour, I was losing my shit to put it delicately.

The long and short of it was that if we couldn't resolve the trouble we would be responsible for all Bub's bills between 5/14 and October (when Big's company offers open enrollment into their benefits program). That meant, at least 2 more visits for well child immunizations and any other sick visits we may have between now and then.

CA-CHING! CA-CHING! Thud-thunk, Thud-thunk, Thud-thunk.


That is the sound of lots of money going out the window and my pounding heart trying to think it all through. Aetna, Big's HR AND  his benefit administrators couldn't find anything indicating that Big had added Bub to our health plan and that MUST be done within his first 30 days on this big planet or medical coverage be damned. Luckily, they house all their online additions in a different location and were able to find his request. Something along the way fell through the cracks and we caught it but it about gave me a heart attack.

Now, Bub has no medical issues to speak of at this point in his life. I am not trying to tempt fate here...that is just our reality so far. And I was losing it over the prospect of him having no medical coverage until October. What if either of our boys suffered from some chronic condition that required consistent attention? What if Bub wasn't able to get coverage ever? What if that was our reality? What if Big or I wasn't covered? Or Bug? I know our state has medicaid coverage for children but not with our income. It just gets my wheels spinning and aggravates the shit out of me.

Really?! Medical care is something to be afforded by only certain people?! Does that seem just? I am not proposing a solution. I am just shaking my fist at the fact that this has been the case for so damn long in this country and nothing has been effectively done to combat the problem. I understand that things are in the works and plans are beginning to take shape to handle the healthcare crisis we face in our country.
I can't help but think if we all put our political differences aside and examined the fact that health care should be within reach for everyone, maybe (and it's a BIG maybe) we could reach a viable solution that would give everyone a chance to live. Quite simply put...our current system is not working in my honest and not always humble opinion.

If you disagree, that is your business and  you can feel free to blog about it in your own place.
This is how I feel in direct response to my situation today so dissenting opinions ought to be constructive if you plan to comment here.