Everyone who has an elderly and/or disabled relative on Medicare/Medicaid had better listen up before the Jan. 1, 2006, deadline for declaring a Medicare Drug Benefit Plan.
My mother thought she lived the American dream. She was a World War II bride. She worked all her life at low-paying jobs with no benefits. She had a stroke at 62, leaving her disabled. Her husband cared for her until cancer killed him.
Her home was sold. When her funds were exhausted, she went on Medicaid/Medicare. What happens Jan. 1, when she has to pay a much larger co-payment and a monthly premium? What happens to this woman who played by the rules? She gets kicked to the curb. So much for the American dream.
We keep hearing "culture of life." How about this "culture of life"? A 79-year-old widow who can't afford to pay for the drug "benefit" will be left with nothing. Too bad.
Is the plan to kill off the sickest and poorest of our elderly and disabled by denying them the drugs that keep them alive? Whose "moral values" are these?
America is supposed to be better than this.
Sandi Campbell
Siler City
Comments (6)
If I understand the benifits correctly, if your mother is truly on medicaid and medicare, her prescriptions will be paid for by medicaid. Also, in some instances, medicaid will also pick up the tab for her Medicare premiums. Call her caseworker and ask questions. There are several programs available that you have to ask for.
Posted by Annna | April 20, 2005 10:13 AM
Sandy, I am sure that you will be taking on the responsability of your family now, right?
If not, please explain why you think that money should be taken from me at the point of a gun to pay for your mother's care.
Posted by Mac | April 20, 2005 10:23 AM
Mac your sense of compassion and understanding is overwhelming. Comprehension needs work though.
Posted by jdg | April 20, 2005 12:17 PM
Sandi, I agree, America IS supposed to be better than this. But it isnt. Try to be thankful that she had that home to sell, I wont have one. If I make it to be your mom's age, I'm going to be in worse shape. Just try to be thankful. Its the key to gettng through when things totally suck. My thoughts go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
Posted by Lilly | April 20, 2005 2:45 PM
Mac is compassionately bankrupt--as are so many of the right wing. Those kind of "morals" we can do without. Maybe that is the solution, let's do without the morally bankrupt conservatives. All in favor, vote them out next election.
raphael
Posted by Anonymous | April 21, 2005 5:41 PM
Mac,
Money is taken from you at the point of a gun to fund a war in Iraq: support dictatorships: to give kickbacks to the Oil industry: to fund dubious arts: to overpay Haliburton: study the sex habits of fruitflys: to buy $600 toilet seats.
Whatever your political leanings, you probably could have found a more deserving target of your outrage.
Posted by Marshall | April 22, 2005 9:16 PM