The View From Her Sickbed

Jessa Crispin recalls experiences with the mental health care, or the lack thereof:

Like any other human being living below the standards of your typical cable news commentator, I've had maddening run-ins with the American health care system. In my poorest (and uninsured) days, I used a drug trial to gain access to antidepressants and regular contact with health care professionals. Getting health insurance didn't actually improve matters all that much. Apparently going suddenly (if temporarily) deaf in both ears is not a legitimate reason to go to the emergency room, and my insurance company denied the claim. Everyone I know has a horror story, from a case of pneumonia while uninsured to being told their very real health condition was probably just a panic attack brought on by a husband's going out of town for the weekend. Best system in the world, my eye.