Ravi didn’t know it, but he, like millions of Americans, was trapped in a “ghost network.” As some of those people have discovered, the providers listed in an insurer’s network have either retired or died. Many other providers have stopped accepting insurance — often because the companies made it excessively difficult for them to do so. Some just aren’t taking new patients. Insurers are often slow to remove them from directories, if they do so at all. It adds up to a bait and switch by insurance companies that leads customers to believe there are more options for care than actually exist.
I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to pay out-of-pocket for my psychiatric needs. I mean, the costs are very high but I receive great care from two providers (therapist and psychiatrist - one is for talking and the other is for meds). I was absolutely lost without them. I can’t imagine the horror of needing access and being denied. This bullshit system needs to be solved. The richest nation in human history should be able to take care of its people. We’re failing in the worst ways.
But, you know what? Let’s focus on the genitals of school children instead of fixing anything. That seems like a good idea. I fucking hate the right for blocking us from discussing anything that’s actually meaningful about changing society (I’m not saying trans rights aren’t meaningful; I’m saying they weren’t up for debate until they were a useful distraction from questioning power).