Bankruptcy, part II

This is a follow-up to this post, about the new bankruptcy law currently under debate (if you can call it that) in the Congress.

Just in case you hear some rich Republican a-hole (or poor Republican a-hole, we won't discriminate) saying how "people have to quit charging up their cards and take some personal responsibility," show them this article in today's San Francisco Chronicle. Here's a snippet:

"The study looked at 1,771 bankruptcies filed in 2001 in five states, including California. Almost half of those filers -- 46.2 percent -- cited illness and medical bills as a major cause of bankruptcy. More than three- quarters had insurance at the onset of illness."

Well, serves them right for getting sick, right George W.?

And if you're tempted to think that this only happens to the working poor, think again:

"Jeannie Brewer is a physician married to a surgical resident. She and her family have health insurance. She's not the kind of person you'd expect to be pushed to the verge of financial collapse by medical expenses.

Yet Brewer is considering filing for bankruptcy, and part of the reason is the $16,500 in health care costs her family incurs each year that are not paid for by insurance."

Ask yourself this question: Could you afford $16 grand extra a year? Then don't get sick y'all, 'cause under this administration, you're on your own.