Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support

I'm glad you have found a way around your problems but do be careful of debt. I hope your education will help you greatly in the future. However, at 61 (very close to 62) I think it may take more than a doctoral program to make me seem younger. I already have a degree, the job I have now requires more than 40 hours per week and, frankly, I just don't have the stamina to add night classes to this mix.

My choice is between no insurance or some sort of government risk pool provision. My question is whether the state or federal version is superior. I lean toward the federal because I have very little faith in my state (SC). I am not terrified by the prospect of no insurance because, in spite of my stigma (Crohns) I am among the "healthiest" people my age that I know. I am active, normal weight, take only one little BP pill a day (and I think that is because of my last job!), have a great attendance record, and outstanding professional reputation. Almost everybody I know who is my age takes at least 3 or 4 different prescription medications daily. I figure I can get by for a few years until I qualify for Medicare. I don't want to but I can.