On Obama and Christmas 2009
So it appears that the Republicans have a solid front while Progressives have been divided. And meanwhile Obama Claus is coming around with a nice lump of coal for your stocking this Christmas.
Over the years I have forgotten the exact figures, but I've watched my health insurance rates rise faster than a loaf of bread, while my benefits are fewer and my co-pay is growing.
In the 70's and early 80's my employer paid for my medical insurance, totally. In fact, for a period of time my family were included at no extra cost.
Then we entered the age of co-payments. Five dollars each time I went to the doctor. But that five dollars covered subsequent visits if they were related to the first problem. But then my family members were charged a small amount to be covered. Still a real good deal. My doctor called me each year and reminded me that it was time for my wellness physical. I could always talk to a nurse over the phone.
By the time I retired in 1993 my co-payment was ten dollars and I paid it each time I entered the doctor's office. Furthermore, if my doctor sent me down the hall for an x-ray or another opinion, ten dollars more. My medications that once had been free and then subject to the five dollar co-payment, then the ten dollars and finally fifteen, were no longer a three month supply. This was now a monthly charge.
But this was still better than what happened following retirement. Today, after being pushed from one Plan to another because we could not afford the ever rising costs, I am on Medicare with a supplemental plan. Cathy is not yet old enough for Medicare so we cover her totally. Along with our dental we are paying almost 800 dollars each month. And this does not include what I'm paying for Medicare or for the co-payments or the dollars that we pick up above the amount that Cathy's coverage does not cover.
All told we pay close to 900 dollars each month in hopes that we will not get sick.
Now it's true that my recent hip replacement cost over 50 thousand dollars and I did not pay a single dollar. But I think I have prepaid that operation. Now if I can just live out the rest of my life without ever seeing another doctor...
Curious Carl
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