Seriously?

I really hate talking politics.  But please allow this small vent.

I went to my annual physical this morning, with Casey in tow.   I waited in the big waiting room.  Then I waited more in the little waiting room, stripped down in just a gown.  (I am pretty sure there is some hilarious Seinfeld stand up routine on this).  The nurse gave careful instructions on the gown wearing, but the minute she left the room I couldn't remember if I was supposed to leave it open in the front or back.  I tried it on both ways and neither seemed right (I went with the back).  I just love going to the doctor!

She did the regular checkup, and at the end asked if I had any additional questions.  I did, in fact.  Sadly, my aunt was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  She is 62, and thankfully, it looks like she is going to be okay.  Coincidentally (or not so much), my grandmother, my aunt's mother, also was diagnosed with breast cancer at 62.  My grandmother lived with it for 15 years before dying in 2003.

Given this, I wanted to ask if I should be concerned at all, or if I should get tested for the breast cancer gene.  And you know what the doctor said?

She said that I am probably fine, but if I wanted to be vigilant, I could get tested.  But she recommended against it for now.  Why?  Because if I test positive, it will make it nearly impossible for me to ever get private healthcare or life insurance.  She said the law on this is supposed to change in 2014, but who knows how things will pan out.  I have to admit I was ignorant of this, because I have made it a point not to pay attention to the healthcare debate because it only makes me angry and there is nothing I can do about it anyway.

Luckily, I am on my husband's group healthcare policy.  But God forbid he ever lose his job, then we would have to buy private health insurance, which if I took this test and tested positive, would be cost prohibitive for me.  There are so many things wrong with this that I am not even going to allow myself to get angered by it. 

But seriously????  This is the state of our healthcare, people?

I declined the stupid test for now, as it isn't an emergency, and I may as well wait until 2014 to see if things change. 

Then I peed in a cup and left.