Before you think of try the credit card idea, be sure to check on the news laws for bankruptcy.  The laws changed in early 2006, and it is not as easy to file a Chapter 7 which allows your bills to "go away".  
Local health care clinics will be your best bet for a mammogram, call your state's department of health for locations and various programs.  Hospitals on the payment plan will take care of x-rays and other emergencies, just be prepared for a long wait.
Good luck.  The sad reality is the American health care system is failing miserably for all of us.  
Susan Hayden
Adult Services Library Consultant
West Virginia Library Commission
1900 Kanawha BLVD, East
Charleston, WV 25305
haydens at wvlc.lib.wv.us
304-558-3978, ext. 2014
FAX:  304-558-1612
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bertha Mo 
  To: The Women and Literacy Discussion List 
  Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 11:59 PM
  Subject: [WomenLiteracy 601] Re: Health Insurance


  I used to live in San Francisco and an organization called Public Media that was housed at Fort Mason permitted people such as yourself to sign onto their Kaiser Plan.  In many areas, I was just working in Upstate NY, local groups organized a free mamography program for low income folks.  I think you need a mamogram every other year if you don't have symptoms or family history.

  If you have an accident the local emergency room will see you and give you an x-ray and have you pay as you can.

  Bertie Mo

  "Muro, Andres" <amuro5 at epcc.edu> wrote:
    Usually the county hospital or community health clinics will provide these services. If you get injured, you are entitled to go to an emergency room, get seen and then pay in installment. If there is a county hospital, they will probably work with you on reasonable payments, etc.

    For mammograms you can probably go to a local health clinic for the indigent. Find the poor neighborhood in your community and ask where the health clinic is. Sign up and you'll get seen. They probably provide breast exams, pap smears, glucose tests, CV screenings, etc. You may have to pay a fee. 

    If you have an expensive disease, get a bunch or credit cards. American express usually gives you a no limit account. Spent them to the limit and declare bankruptcy.  

    As far as free or inexpensive health insurance, there is no such thing anymore, even for people in full time employment. There are huge deductibles, for everything except primary care. 

    Andres 


----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: womenliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:womenliteracy-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Lynne Feinberg
    Sent: Thursday, October 19, 2006 1:01 PM
    To: womenliteracy at nifl.gov
    Subject: [WomenLiteracy 597] Health Insurance

    I have asked at the schools, I have contacted the union (MCCC),  I have contacted TESOL. I have Googled everything I can think of Googling.  I can't bring myself to believe that there is nothing available, and I know I am not alone in this situation.  Does anyone have any ideas for a single, hardworking, low-paid but otherwise not unhappy adjunct community college ESL instructor seeking health insurance?  Something I can afford that will allow me to get a yearly mammogram, and an x-ray in case I fall off my bicycle.  Here's hoping, and in the meantime feeling much too vulnerable. 

    Thank you,
    Lynne Feinberg
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