Miracle on Olive Street

Lots of crazy schemes were being contemplated by well-intentioned (if slightly demented) parties to ensure health insurance coverage. Shotgun marriages. The filing of disability claims with US Social Security and Medi-Cal. And of course the ubiquitous “sue everything that moves” approach including a class action lawsuit against all insurance companies that discriminate in any form on the basis of preexisting conditions, with the federal government and the 45 states that have statutes allowing such discrimination named as additional defendants. Whew – that may have been wrapped up before the next ice age . . .

Fortunately, resolution of this issue was achieved without the need for the mother of all lawsuits or for some nice woman to ruin what remains of her life. One of my long-standing clients determined that I am eligible for coverage as a consultant under their group policy by virtue of my long term and ongoing contract with them. Equally remarkable: there is no waiting period for preexisting conditions with their plan. And it allows the selection of any doctor and any healthcare facility in the US. I simply couldn’t have scripted a more perfectly-suited arrangement. My humble thanks to management and staff at MTD for identifying this as a possibility and for confirming my eligibility. Obviously, this removes an enormous burden from my shoulders . . .

And special thanks to all of you that willed, worried, encouraged, or prayed for this solution. The first battle has been won, and it was fucking huge.