Recession Diary: Insurance post Kennedy?

(Editor's note: Unlike past recessions, the current downturn has taken a significant toll on sectors of the economy virtually unscathed by earlier economic crises. This is the latest in a series on one family's struggle.)

SKOKIE, Ill., Aug. 31 (UPI) -- With the passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy and the resulting uncertainty about healthcare reform, the hoopla about the U.S. healthcare system comes into sharp focus.

Is it really possible for the government to create a system whereby everyone has a fair shot at reasonably priced healthcare?

It seems everyone I know has a health-benefits horror story. I know a man, about 20 years older than me, who worked for insurance benefits -- and virtually no salary.

While I was teaching, we had a terrific health plan (think teachers' unions). After I resigned, we went to Fred's company's health plan.

When Fred lost his job, we decided, for various good but boring reasons, not to go the COBRA route -- the government's extension of one's last employer's healthcare plan for as long as 18 months. So, instead of COBRA, we bought outrageously costly private insurance that turned out to be awful. Whenever we tried to make claims, we were told we weren't covered for those particular items.

At least with Fred's current employer, even if his contract isn't extended past December, we can COBRA that. He is being kept through the latest date they set forth as a possibility when he was hired in April, and it looks like it could go longer. Only thing wrong with his job is the minor detail of the low salary.

But you know me by now -- always looking on the bright side of life (think "Life of Brian"; if you don't know this movie, watch it and whistle along to the crucifixion song). I actually have a happy insurance tale to tell.

Our elder daughter and her husband, whose do-it-yourself wedding occurred seven weeks ago, were married first in a civil ceremony more than two years ago. People marry for many reasons, many of them bad: shotgun, escape from home, a paramour with a rent-controlled apartment (think New York City). Our daughter married for an excellent reason: health insurance.

Of course, she and her then-boyfriend had been loosely affianced, knowing they would marry some time in the future. The catalyst for the rush to city hall, however, came when they discovered her reasonable insurance had become exorbitant when she moved out of state to join her beloved. They decided -- in a fever of insurance passion -- to marry right away so she could be a spouse on his employer's plan. They promised each other not to feel married until they could stand under a chuppah (Jewish wedding canopy).

For two years, I told everyone they had rendered unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, but had yet to render unto God that which is God's. Will the rest of us continue to render unto insurance companies that which should remain ours?