<p>Well, I am also living through the hell of chronic illnesses. My husband and younger daughter have a genetic disease that costs thousands to treat every year. My oldest daughter has lupus. My husband works for a very small company and our insurance is dropping the company as of next year…we aren’t dumping them, they are refusing to provide coverage probably because we don’t make them a profit. And while it wasn’t perfect coverage, it was a lot better than others. I have no idea what will happen. If we can’t go to the Cleveland Clinic my daughter will be in serious trouble. We could conceivably lose our home if we have high out of pocket costs. And of course, we make way too much to qualify for anything. Even if I quit my job we still wouldn’t qualify- and Yes, I would quit my job to save my daughters life.</p>
<p>So far she is doing well but her cousin with the same illness already at 14 has a pancreatic and pituitary tumor. Luckily, she has the Cleveland Clinic and is under amazing care. And thank God nothing malignant yet.</p>
<p>My Amish neighbors have “Amish insurance.” Each member of the church district is required to give what they can afford. Those who make more, give more. Our area hospitals including Cleveland Clinic and Akron, Canton actually have different rates for Amish because they pay in cash. What the church district can’t pay, then is turned over to the larger Amish community and everyone gives. The Budget newspaper is a great example of this if anyone cares. Socialism works very well on this scale.</p>
<p>Another thing I have learned from mt Amish neighbors is compassion and forgiveness. They may vote republican because of abortion and gay marriage and a general mistrust of government but they are amazingly charitable and kind. When we have tragedies in our communities, even if you are English, the Amish come running to help. A small tornado ripped apart my grandparents barn and destroyed a small home and tore the roof off another house. Within a matter of hours most of the mess was cleaned up, the roof covered in plastic etc… And it was done at no cost. This doesn’t happen in a lot of places.</p>
<p>In certain areas, the Amish are great role models.</p>