An (uninsured) American in Chile

Obamacare. How many times have you heard that this week? Here in Chile I've heard it mentioned a few times on the radio.

Today marks the opening of the new federal health insurance marketplaces. A place to buy your health insurance plan - to carry out the new law that all Americans must have health insurance. Is all health insurance equal? No. Will all Americans have health insurance plans? No. Will people receive a fine? Yes.

Do you know how to prevent needing health care?  Hmm. 

The issue should not be the law. The question I as is How do I stay healthy so I don't need health care? and Is there a connection between the furious and the unhealthy?

Sure, there are people with cancer. They need health care. But the preventative diseases that millions are suffering from: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, pain, respiratory problems from smoking/obesity, etc.

Sit with this one for a bit. Aren't those related to mental health care issues?  There is choice involved in taking care of the 1 body you have and when you make choices that negatively affect your body you better be paying for those choices from your own pocket.

Back to me and my special case. I don't like to break the law (too often) so when the law says I need health care - I wonder, what about me?

I'm a US citizen living and legally working in Santiago, Chile. However, I still work part-time for Teach for America and thus, receive a US salary and have to manage my US taxes. But I also am not a resident of Chile.  Who has the answer?