Yuyutsu, recent experiences with CSA are having a profound effect on my attitude to the law. I don't want to sidetrack the discussion with that here but I'm coming to the conclusion that the government plays so dirty when it suits that technical breaches such as described here are a non-issue.

The government pays for the medicine if you fall into an arbitrary category deemed worthy of help, if you fall outside of that because of something as dastardly as getting into a relationship you miss out regardless of you can afford the medicine or not.

There are too many cases where decisions are made on a very arbitrary basis that often is counter productive in terms of encouraging people to move on with life and make it better. Too many times when being responsible is punished in favour of being irresponsible.

Hiding a relationship status to continue to get access to medicine that you cannot otherwise afford which keeps you alive may be a breach but it's a far more justified breach than many of the governments quite 'legal' but unethical actions.

R0bert

Dear R0bert,

You are not side-tracking, your post is right on the topic!

The problems you describe are self-evident, but we can't fix the government as they are a perennial pest. One day we may storm the Bastille, but till then we need to help our friend StG regain his integrity.

In StG's unhealthy predicament he needs to:

1) Remain unmarried despite his loving and committed relationship.
2) Lie, or at least hide the truth, about his relationship.
3) Be a partner in crime to the government by accepting stolen money.

Problem #1 can be solved either by a clandestine religious ceremony or by marrying overseas.

Problem #2 is a result of bad luck, failing to meet the government's arbitrary tests. In theory he could try to change the government, voting for another party, replacing Tweedledum with Tweedledee, but we know how futile that is and that if a different government includes him in the "lucky" category, that will be at the expense of excluding others who will then become "unlucky".

Problem #3 is more serious. StG must be developing enormous guilt feelings for benefiting from the proceeds of robbery, of what is taken from others against their will (that on top of the guilt for hiding the truth). His self-esteem is damaged and in due course his conscience will torment him so much that he will seek to hurt himself. Assuming he has no funds of his own to pay for his fiance's health-care, assuming that he has no supporting extended-family, no wealthy friends and no insurance either, then his best remaining option is to appeal for charity and donations in order to release himself and his fiance from this terrible predicament. I suggested that he can do it right here, appealing to the OLO membership for help to finally release himself from a wretched and unwholesome life.

Are you asking the bloke to take his bride and jump from a bridge?
Any reasonable person knows we just would not get enough by our donations to impact on their lives.
I will be first to give and even if it hurts the last.
It is not the answer.
Even asking some to consider lighting the load GY and others have in providing our paddock to romp in sees some unwilling to help.
Costs of health care, even medications are some times extreme.
I would HATE to think we stop folk telling us their story's, in fear it would be seen as fishing for sympathy of any thing other than open discussion about such issues.
Lexi, once told us about an operation for cancer, she truly thought she may not survive the operation.
I have faced death a few times of late[well now]
She was subjected to the worst insults,from the worst by far poster I ever saw here[ I devalued it quite a bit for possible mental illness]
I keep this forever from my poor and hungry CHRISTIAN youth.
Everyone of us should try to help every one we can, no one should go hungry or without basics because of the INFLATED costs of health care and medicines.
IF we truly put every effort in to stopping real fraud in all welfare no sick person would need to hide their love by not wedding the one they love.
For a start thousands of Rich tax avoiders who could carry their weight.
ST G stay solid stay well stay in love.

Depending on what condition you have, medications are incredibly expensive - and without the PBS which is the Australian Government subsidy, they would be out of reach.

My daughter developed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus just before she turned ten. Her pancreas just stopped making insulin. So for twenty years she has given herself four needles a day. That's a lot of insulin. I wonder how we could have afforded it without it being on the PBS?

Modern medical technology certainly delivers. People are alive that would have succumbed in times past. I was struck by that when my daughter was diagnosed, incredibly grateful that her condition was manageable (and she's doing very well in that)

StG, I echo Belly's sentiments - Stay solid, stay well, stay in love.

Dear Belly,

Thank You for your kind words and for your support
and understanding during that difficult time.
I survived and learned a great deal in the process.

Health problems did not go away - I still have
quite a few to deal with - however, strong family support,
and love makes all the difference in one's ability
to cope that's for sure - and of course I would be
in deep trouble - were it not for my private health
insurance (and some government benefits). We are lucky
in this country with what the government does provide.
It would be very difficult for many people otherwise.
Myself included. To StG, I wish you every possible
happiness - may your love engulf you and your lady
and keep you both safe, warm, and happy.

I know my socio economic back ground is far different than most.
But not broke living very well, in my not high living way.
My past was not so.
I have lived with helped and felt the pain, of folk who go with out prescription drugs every day.
Because they just can not pay the what 5 bucks?
Do we all know some actually do? eat tinned dog food?
In Australia?
Put your self on the pension, say single rent allowance and all, about $800 a fortnight?
Rent 240 to 340, A WEEK!
No need to add up, others stack pain killers they do not need high on the shelf.
Some try to smuggle boxes full out of Australia.
Some Vital medicines cost hundreds some thousands of dollars.
In thread after thread post after post I BEG contributors to look at the fraud so we can help the St G s of our world.
We who care must care for the right ones not the whole blindly.
St G those who do not care do not matter.
Those who care about you two do not care about the fraud you two matter nothing else.