Hello Son.
Just yesterday, another emotionally charged day.
At 4 AM, I learned that our daytime helper wouldn’t be coming, sick again.
It’s been a week now, and even though we love taking care of you, it’s really wearing us out.
At 5 AM, I received the response from the organization managing our dispute with the insurance company. A response that sided with them.
In summary, the ANS, the mediator, tells us that the insurance company is within its rights.
They classified you as Homecare, and not as home hospitalization when you were discharged from the hospital.
And under Brazilian law, homecare is not a mandatory coverage.
Even when specialists (pulmonologists, neurologists… and 10 others) attest to significant risks, including the risk of death. Well… they don’t care!
Bravo, Brazilian healthcare system!
My first feeling… I won’t describe it, it was so violent.
Then I thought.
And I asked myself: what are my values?
I was born in a country where healthcare is state-managed. We pay almost 50% in taxes. The system is falling apart, but despite everything, people aren’t left to die without care.
To me, it’s common sense, but it’s just the mold I was born into. Common sense is very subjective and heavily influenced by the context in which we grow up.
I chose to settle in another country.
I chose a local insurance, the country’s top-selling, as a safeguard.
I chose to trust the country’s laws.
I chose to pay my taxes here.
And this country, and these companies, are screwing me over.
So I’m going to do what I teach.
Take responsibility. Protect ourselves. Fight. And win our freedom.
I’m not going to wait for someone else to do it for us.
My biggest mistake was not moving to Brazil.
My biggest mistake was not taking out international insurance, based on international rules.
Instead, I trusted a local insurance company that owns the entire chain: insurance, imaging, laboratories, ambulances, homecare.
A company that centralizes everything, in a country where laws don’t protect patients.
(or rather, supports those who pay them)
Of course it ends up like this.
It’s the rotten side of capitalism.
The one that allows executives to be listed in Forbes while families fight to breathe.
I have nothing against making money. I’m an entrepreneur and I make money myself.
But I will never understand how it can be done at the expense of patients’ health, children’s health, and even less so my son’s.
And I will fight until my last breath if I have to!
With my French background, I find it hard to understand why people here don’t revolt.
They fight for drugs, but not for fundamental rights.
Mystery of life?!
But it’s okay, on our side, we’re going to stick to the plan.
Alright, back to you, son.
You’re coughing more and more.
We had to restart the emergency treatments, just like in the hospital.
And we’re scared that this strange hand-foot-and-mouth disease you caught will turn into something not great for your lungs.
The good news is that you’re responding very well to these treatments, and afterward, it’s as if you were never sick, your breathing is so clear. Which leaves us in doubt.
We don’t know if you have more reflux causing bronchospasms, or if it’s this flu-like condition that has irritated the entire system? Likewise, we’re continuing with the plan, hoping it gets better.
I love you
Dad
