The Quiet Crisis: The Rising Costs of Health Care

Talking to ourselves is of no avail....TELL IT TO OUR CONGRESS FOLKS.....AND HOLD THEIR FEET TO THE VOTING PROGRESS.

I retired early at age 57 from a large aircraft manufacturer in Fort Worth, Texas. My medical insurance premium was $47 per month in 2004 which was a big factor determining whether to retire or not. Now my premium is $366 monthly or would be if I could afford it.

I inquired as to whether or not you received my previous post. Your reply did not mentioned that, but it did contain two comments from others in similar situations. Is there any way I can ascertain if you received mine? I also would like to know how else to contact about this issue, as I am hoping to make contact with the appropriate legislators. Thank you,

My husband was in the hospital 3 times this year. He has such terrible asthma and the hot summers are so hard on him. Now other things are starting to go wrong. I have arthritis in my hip and neck and I get very few hours on my job. I'll never find work anywhere else with my limitations and at age 60. My husband would be so much better off if he could retire but then we wouldn't have any health insurance. Must he work till he drops dead?
They just don't seem to care in Washington. Long as we pay for THEIR health insurance.

In order to provide a little something for my grand daughter for college, I do not use my healthcare. I know that ONE ILLNESS CAN WIPE OUT MY RETIREMENT AND cause me to lose my home. My idea is that rather than wipe them out, I will quietly go on my way and not tell them of my illness.

At the present time, My daughter works for a company who provides minimum mecical benefits. She has diabetes with all of the side effects, has been hositalized twice in the last year, and again in July that time she had to have a defibrilator/pacemaker implanted. The Company paid their share, but the remainder of the bills ammounting to multi thousands will probably force her into bankruptcy. That will take care of this go round but what happens with the next hospitalization. We are quite frankly concerned.

If our lawmakers would concentrate on those
who need change instead of lumping everyone
togather it would make the cost of providing
the needed provisions much less. People with
retire benefits that cover them and the
wealthy need to be left alone with the benefits they already are enjoying.

don’t know what I am going to do if the Medicare Advantage program keeps being cut! I, like a lot of other people, am on a very limited income, (I am also disabled), and like some others, have various ailments that need a Doctor’s care; which in turn means I have to have insurance! I can afford to pay ONE, (small), monthly subsidy for getting MULTIPLE medical bills paid, BUT, there are many who CANNOT!!! What about them?

There were many times that I would have to do without a ‘life-saving’ medicine and or treatment simply because I could NOT afford them. Thanks to the Medicare Advantage Plan, I have been able to take my medicines right. Do you know what it is like to have an asthma attack because you didn’t have the money to buy your asthma medicine!

When I was a patient IN THE NURSING HOME, I did not have to worry, but it seems that the Government is trying to make me go BACK to living in one. It costs the Government more for me to live in a Nursing Home that to LEAVE OUR MEDICAR4E ADVANTAGE PROGRAMS ALONE! We, as fellow seniors, should stand together and fight for our Medicare Advantage programs, for without them, we would just ‘fade away’.

Vircy Evans Jacksonville, Florida

I am 64 years old. I cannot remember when we were not informed that a person could not live only on social security and that medical coverage would be slim when a person retires. So, where the hell have your two example been for the majority of their life? When people do not take care of themselve why should a few of us be required to take care of their poor decisions. I know there will always be people who get caught in situations beyond their control. Those I would help. But your two examples would be a no!

I am a RN who did retire and went on Soc.Security. The problem for me was my insurance went up so much I could not afford it anymore, plus since I moved from California to Oregon the policy didn't cover very much. So I went back to work as a Hospice Nurse. There is a huge need for Nurses in this area. But I can no longer participate in care of homebound Hospice Patients. After I made $12500 dollars I have to give back to SS 1/2 of my gross pay, I then get my 1/2 BUT I pay all the taxes on both halfs pluse they take out IRS and Soc Security fees as well. So I am netting about 30% of each dollar made. It doesn't seem like anyone including the aide in charge of SOC SEC for our Congressman in Southern Oregon. When I spoke with him he didn't have a clue why this came about. I wouldn't be so upset if it truly was 1/2 but they are taking 70-75% not just half. So that's what I think about this situation. We need nurses but nurses can only work very little.

As a self-employed person, I pay for my own health insurance, a bare-bones major medical policy. That means I also pay cash for doctor visits, tests, and such little things as the $110.00 cough medicine the walk-in clinic ($200.00/visit) doc prescribed when I got bronchitis this year. On my insurance, NOTHING is covered outside the hospital and some things are not covered even if I did go to the hospital. I'm an unusually healthy 60-year old with a history of just one minor day surgery 22 years ago. No disabilities, or problems requiring medications. Nevertheless, my disaster-only coverage currently costs me about $450/month and goes up about $500 every year. I just count myself lucky to (so far) be able to afford it. What if there were actually something wrong with my health? I'd never be able to afford insurance!

Well, it is obvious that the health care "system" has fallen prey to the follies of capitalism as it has come to be. Nobody, particularly of retirement age, wants to talk about that point of problem origin because it sounds "un-American" and it is too complicated. We were brought up to believe in capitalism. For most of our lives it was capitalism against communism. Well capitalism as we learned to expect it to be is not working in our interest.
Unless somebody wants to start a revolution the only solution to the mess seniors are in is the course AARP has been trying to follow. Major, relentless pressure on Congress needs to occur. Considering that Congress is more beholden to all the large corporations that own them, including the insurance- and drug companies that have actually become the health care "system," seniors have a tough row to hoe. But short of a revolution, major pressure on our representatives is the only way. Members of the House and Senate need to learn that their jobs depend on representing our interests. If they don't learn that we're spinning our wheels.

I am an 83-year old retired female, who is relatively healthy. Although I am lucky enough to have health insurance, the steadily rising costs of such insurance cut into my (meager) pension plus Social Security payments. People in my age-group find themselves to be in the same situation.
A major concern, however, should be the insistence of our governmnt to continue with this constant warfare, whether it be military adventures, such as those of Afghanistan and Iraq, overt activities of the CIA in foreign countries, build-up or modernization of our nuclear weaponry, threats to bring about "regime change" in foreign countries -- let's face it: all these things divert the attention to (and the finances for)a real revamping of our practically non-existent healthcare system! When will AARP demand that the above real problems will be addressed first?

Be alert to the subtle phrasing of the candidates about this issue. What we NEED is affordable, quality HEALTH CARE; not escalating, evaporating health insurance policies that only reward the insurance salesmen. The insurance and drug companies are taking this country for whatever we have left in our old age; improve Social Security.

The tax system needs to be reformed! A % of the incomes of all large business should be taxed and recycled to all citizens. Withholding taxes eliminated to simplify accounting of businesses and government. Fair and Balanced! Think about it.

We have the worst congree I have ever seen in my 85 years on this planet???

I never thought I would be among the thousands of the older generation that would have to chose between medicine or food.
By the time I pay for my health care, prescription co pay premiums and my prescriptions, there's very little left for food.

I dont know what you People crying about Insurance Premiums ? We have Sterling Life and we dont pay that much ! Less then 10 Dollars a month ! Give them a call i bet you save lots of Money a Month . If you not sick you dont pay alot of Premiums .

Everyone is missing the boat. The rising cost of health care is not the real problem. The REAL problem is the fact that the lifestyles of the average American is contributing to a decline in health as they age. Instead of talking about rising health care costs, we need to be talking about all the things that Americans do that make them sick. The most basic problem is breakfast, lunch and dinner. With the high consumption of sugar, processed foods pretty much devoid of nutrition, soft drinks, meats loaded with steroids, hormones and antibiotics it's not surprising that after decades of slow poisoning, the body starts to break down. Combine that with a society that gets very little exercise and poisons itself further with every kind of toxic material within the home (cleaning supplies, shampoos, makeup, soaps, deodorizers, laundry detergents, etc.) and you have a recipe for sickness.

I haven't had medical insurance for 30 years. In 2005 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and ran up $20,000 in alternative therapy bills that wouldn't have been covered by medical insurance anyway. I figured I would have spent a LOT more than $20,000 if I had bought health insurance all these years. 2 years later--no surgery, no chemo, no radiation--I'm doing great and the only costs I have now is the extra money that I spend on organic food. My other therapies--exercise and drinking lots of water--are free. The cancer has not spread and I feel better than I've felt in 30 years.

The human body has amazing capacity for healing IF and only IF it is given the raw materials it needs to do the job.

The wrong conversation is going on. Instead of wasting more and more money on health care that only makes the pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and hospitals rich (the doctors don't even get much of the pie anymore--they're too strapped with malpractice insurance and the costs of getting the money out of the insurance companies), the average human in this country needs to start spending more money on healthy choices that will create a situation where the body doesn't break down in the first place.

You can't have your cake and eat it, too. You can't poison yourself day-in, day-out until your body gets sick and then poison it some more with toxic drugs and chemicals created to hide the symptoms rather than cure the disease and expect to have any kind of quality of life.

I am a professional musician, and I play quite often here in South Florida in the myriad of nursing homes that we have here. I see these old people shuffling around. It's pretty horrendous. They are the testament to today's health care.

Thank you, but NO THANKS. I'll take my chances with my spinach.

drug prices have to change or insurance to pay it has to change. i pay 1320 a year for drug insurance. insurance paid 1750 i paid 800+1320+3850=[5970] anybody want to start a insurance or drug company with me we can"t lose.

Rising cost of health care. Two words,
illegal aliens. we pay for every anchor babie born, that's every five minutes and we pay to raise them.I could give dozens of reason's
health cost is sky rocketing due to Ilegal aliens, but I think you know what they are. Illega aliens cost America trillions of $$$ every year. That could buy a lot of health care for American's

AARP is using outdated numbers.Take a look at the latest census figures. The number of uninsured has risen to 47 million. But even those with insurance are greatly at risk. It's time to dump the whole rotten system and support HR 676, a bill in Congress that would provide improved Medicare for all. It's about time we demanded serious change.

Recently Blue Shield dropped the California Association of Realtors group, all 8800 enrollees. I was rejected for private insurance due to preexisting conditions despite being bicycle race fit with low cholesterol, non smoker, etc. No current health issues. Blue Cross picked up the Realtors but the policy is about $100 more per month for lesser coverage. We must have a single payer plan. If everyone paid into Medicare for current coverage the premium would still be less than pvt insurance and the coverage much more complete.

America's health care system is a wreck, to be sure. This is primarily due to the fact that everyone thinks they should live forever and can just get a new lung, a new heart, new kidneys, new liver after having wrecked theirs from abuse. Also everyone seems to want to take drugs, mostly expensive ones, just for the hell of it. Also, doctors aren't in the business of caring for or preventing health problems--they're in the business for expensive trips overseas and selling unneeded and unnecessary drugs and procedures (so they can pay for their next Porche or McMansion).

I avoid the health care system. If I need medical or dental care, a quick trip to Panama or the Philippines, where health care costs are significantly lower (while being of the same quality) will take care of the problem.

here i sit just left doctors office. and picked up a new prescription which there is no genric. im on ssd and have hit the stupid donut hole so for the next 2 months ill have to pay for meds at full price. however the insurance companies get the meds at a discount price oh how fair ill spend mors than 70 precent of my income for meds now how do i live pay house and utilities and food.. oh how the donut hole helps..WHO ??????

My husband has been disabled for 18 years. I am 59 and self-employed. We lost our health insurance after the company my husband had worked for (LTV steel) went bankrupt. I had emergency heart surgery last year and, after our small AARP policy paid, we are left with $60,000 in medical bills. We are raising three grandsons and now find ourselves in the position of going bankrupt. I don't like setting that example but I have no choice. Feed the kids or pay the medical bills. But, what happens if I need surgery next year?

The medical Industry is getting away with charging unbeleavably high fees for their services . L-OO-K at other nations like Europe or Canada where fees for services are controlled at resonable levels.An Aspirin pill on a hospital bill goes for $10.00+
A minor procedure could cost way over $ 10000.00(Ten Thousand )I would have to go to CUBA or Costa Rica to afford Health care

i am on ss disability and dying from several things due to my heart need dental work bad and cant get any coverage i need and i cant afford to pay full price for it so u tell me do u think our country is in a health care crisis ?? guess if we all die off it would be easier a not so happy camper ty for listening

The health care crisis is real. It will get worse unless Americans figure out what the real problems are. I doubt they will. The monied interests have the American peopled blindfolded.

There are many important issues today that need our attention...the war in Iraq and our fragile environment, to name just two. But, as an older Boomer, the number one issue that I feel could have the most immediate and direct effect on my quality of life, is HEALTHCARE. My friends and family, middle and upper income alike, are all frightened about healthcare, not only for themselves, but for their children. When their college graduates no longer qualify for university health coverage, haven't yet found employment with benefits, and can't afford to purchase insurance, the whole family is at risk. If any of the young people in my family had an accident or were diagnosed with a serious illness, we would all have to contribute. We would raid our retirement savings, take a second mortgage, whatever it would take to make sure our loved one got the needed care.
Something HAS to be done in this country, and I applaud AARP for taking a major role in lobbying for change.

THE COST IS GOING THRU THE ROOF AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT MOST OF US WILL BE WITH OUT THE COST TO TAKE CARE OF OUR SELF IS GETTING WAY OUT OF HAND AND LOT OF US WILL NOT BE BUYING OUR PILLS BECAUSE WE CAN,T AFORD IT SO IT ETA OUT BUY PILLS WE ARE ON A FIX INCOME AND NOW MOST OF IT GOES TO HEALTH CARE THE DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS ARE GETTING TO HIGH TO GET ANYTHING DONE MOST OF US WILL JUST GIVE UP AND DIE

As my wife and I grow older, the rising cost of health insurance is of great concern for us. I would like to see the insurance companies bring their rates down and their participatory percentages increase. Also, that action be taken on the pharmaceutical companies to reduce the prices of their prescription medications.

My husband, 64 is diabetic and has HBP; I, 63, have high cholesteral and my BP is rising.
We pay $850/mo from BC/BS and the premium rises yearly and it has a high deductible and no prescription coverage. We thought Medicare would finally be our answer but as I count the cost of it in a couple of years and the cost of the supplement we will need, it seems we will still be paying a lot for coverage and uncovered costs. What we thought we could get by on in retirement isn't going to work now. What is the answer to all of this?

the entire system is a fraud. I have paid for health insurance and worked for 35 years.

Single payer insurance is rationale and people in Europe and Canada have a better quality of life and better health care.

the propoganda of the drug industry and health care industry hides excessive profits and salaries. The president of Blue Cross California is just one example.

Self employed middle class people are hurt the most.

I now pay much more for my health insurance than my mortgage It keeps me afraid every night and day and I have a $2,000 a month
charge for my family, a $2,500 deductable and 1/3 copay through Blue Shield Calfiornia while I watch there ads at Dodger games that I am sure p[ay for coproprate suites.

The privatization of the non profit blue shiled plans was a scam comprable to the soviet union at the end of communism.

non one can face the highly proficient lavish propoganda machine of the drug and health care industry.

I spent 26 years working directly in health care, in the ophthalmology industry as an executive. At 52, I am now operating my own business, and my husband has his own. We are on COBRA right now, but only for a few more months. From this perspective, I can tell you two things: 1) Good health care is expensive. This is partly because many new discoveries and advances are being made all the time and they are not cheap, and partly because of the legal world and its negative implications related to health care, which drive up defensive costs. 2) There is absolutely no reason health insurance should be connected to one's employment. This has become an archaic benefit and it is breaking the backs of employers. The truth of the matter is that health insurance should be available to all Americans through the United States government. That doesn't mean it has to be free, but national health systems work well in other countries, and it's time to make it work here. For people to be uninsured or have to go broke in order to pay for their own private health insurance is absurd. The time has come to implement a United States Health Care Plan into which everyone would pay, probably on a sliding scale. The government would probably contribute as well. A little like Medicare, but not the same. The way Medicare is going and at the rate the government is slashing rates to doctors, pretty soon those 65 and older will not be able to find good health care because good doctors will reject Medicare's poor pay. The concept is great, but it is out of control. They key here is to make health care available to everyone, and make everyone pay to some extent. I believe this is inevitable, and it is coming faster than we think.

the fact that this circumstance exists in the richest and most powerful country on earth is unthinkable!

I dread the point at which I stop working, a time in life we are told are the golden years. When I no longer have my insurance coverage through my employer, I don't know how I'll manage. Even now, with Rx coverage, I can't afford some of the prescriptions written because my insurance company don't recognize them as "necessary". I was very affected by the movie "Sicko". Personally, I hope we as a nation move towards national medical care. How sad with our national wealth and standing, we rank approx. 37th in infant mortality and our citizens have to sell their homes to get out from under medical expenses. Too bad Michael Moore isn't a presidential hopeful...I'd vote for him. Our congressman can't relate to the average American...they don't have have to worry about soaring premiums and pre-existing conditions. They don't have to choose between paying a bill and filling a prescription. Our health care system is disgraceful and it's time we stop being ripped off by big Pharma. We need to make changes...big and soon.

I have been disabled for 2 1/2 years. I can't get any Health Insurance. One of my perscriptions is almost $300.00 every month. I must take 8 different meds every day. I am unable to visit a doctor even for a sinus infection, never mind anything major. I can't afford Medical Care- Today. If I am approved for SSI Disability--it will be at least 2 more years after approval before I am even elligable for Medicare Insurance. I have paid into SS since 1965. I am not a free loader. I worked for just a few months short of 40 years. Where do I go for help with Medical Costs?

When I was a young adult in the early 60s, I worked at a job that paid what today would be considered an entry level income. Health insurance was an unheard of concept to me. During this time, I had a peptic ulcer and received treatment from both a general practioner and a specialist for over a year, including various diagnostic tests. I also had some major dental work done during this time. I paid for all of this service out of pocket and did not experience the cost as being overwhelming or anything close to it. Shortly after this period is when medical cost began to escalate. The big change was direct government involvement in health care through the introduction of medicare. In my experience, the more government has become involved in health care the more expensive it has become.

David
There is no problem so bad that government can't make it worse.

My husband and I worked our whole adult lives and put our only child through private schools because of a learning disability at a time when public classses were unavailable for him. I have a chronic illness since early childhood and when I retired from workiing for a non-profit organization I was horrified at mymedication costs. With EPIC all was quite manageable (after two years of having credit card bills we had to pay out) until along came Part D Medicare. Now there is confusion, piles of paper and even a threat presented to me by my Part D; if EPIC is defunded I will only have Part D and guess what, the donut hole! We will have to decide between life and death. I did call the Medicare Rights Center and was told not to be scared so I can relax for now but what do I do IF? Is it too much to ask for coverage with, if necessary, a co-pay but no surprises?
I want to pay my way. Preventive care in my case has saved many thousands of dollars and at 69 I am a functioniing retired social worker. It is cheaper tokeep me healthy!!!

I need to change jobs because my current one is hurting my health and well being, but finding a full time job with benefits over 50 is difficult. Now I'm stuck in a job that is my doctor tells me to quit because I have to have insurance so I can go see her and have her tell me to get another job. I had an accident a couple of months ago on a Sunday and went to a Care Now facility. As I sat in the examining room waiting for the doctor I read the sign advertising their care program that has a monthly fee and covers office visits and something else. I told my husband it almost looks like you are better off without insurance because more options are being offered to the uninsured while the insured just keep getting screwed.

It is a real disgrace that the United States a rich country does not have free health care.
We pay enough taxes for that. Bush rather spends the money in Iraq instead of giving us free health care like Canada. It's always the middle class who has to suffer and the government is trying to eliminate that now.
Everything has been increased in order to have more money to spend elsewhere.
What a shame - A big country such as the U.S.
I am fed up with the U.S. and probably will have to move to another country where I can live a decent life with such little retirement money. Again! SHAME! DISGRACE!

I haven't had health care insurance since my husband died 15 yrs. ago. The premiums were too costly even when I checked into basic health. I'm one of the FALL IN THE CRACKS people, age 60, widows pension is more than poverty level, but not enough to pay huge health care premiums and eat too. I've gone without medical care many times when it was very much needed. I am just holding my breath and praying I don't have anything serious happen that would cause me to loose my home at this late time in life.

My husband and I have medical insurance through his job. It costs him $150 twice a month for our policy. Two weeks ago, he had an emergency which may have been heading for a heart attack. He was in the hospital overnight and had a nuclear scan in the morning. We got a statement which would go to the insurance company for $6,000 and we will have to pay $1700 of that.
We both have good jobs, but the cost of that nuclear scan was $1700 by itself, nearly a third of the entire bill.

Healthcare in this country is out of control. We had an HMO for 25 years and finally had to resort to paying exorbitant costs for a PPO just so we could find good quality medical care. I don't understand why we don't have UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE! Michael Moore's movie, "Sicko" was almost right on the money. Our elderly have paid their dues and deserve everything for free. How is it that we are paying these high prices for medical care and not getting better? My father can't afford his medication becasue he's on Social Security and Medicare. Go figure! I'm mad!

Yes...I think our Health System is pretty pathetic. My husband and I are on Medicare and our AARP supplemental insurance, which certainly is a blessing, however, our RX program is kind of iffy. He is about to fall in the "donut hole", and myself on the other hand has only used less than $300.00 as of September 1, 2007. I know there are plenty of seniors out there, who have both fallen in the "donut hole", and now have to pay everything out of their pocket, or go without needed medical care. I wish I could help in achieving your goals to improve health care, but really don't know what can be done about it. Thank You.

The things I find about health care are the myriad choices we have in the different kinds of coverage offered. Because of the fact the health care providers, ie hospitals, have to treat illegal aliens who have no coverage, they have to raise premiums on all paying patients.

We have wonderful health care in the United States.

As long as tue Insurance industry and drug indistry ars desigining/dictating our health care the crissis will do nothing but get worse. You can rest assured that if our elected officials were required to have the same health coverage as the general population something would be changed. The latest change enacted for medicare resulted ina $4000.00 per year incrasse in my medical coverage____Thanks a lot Congress. The cost is higher if I actualy get sick or require a prescription.

The high cost of medical care can be traced directly to the high cost of liability created by lawyers. Control litigation and then watch the cost come down for all types things from medical care to car insurance. We are a people intoxicated with suing our medical friends who are there to help us.

If most people spent as much time worrying about staying in shape and keeping their good health as they do about their health insurance premiums, then the industry would not be in this premiums out-of-control situation. What drives up health insurance premiums is the number of times that individuals have to use their insurance. The less that people use their insurance, the less expensive the premiums will be. What really upsets me is that a person in perfect health that exercises regularly and has a very healthful diet pays the same premiums as a person of the same age that has terrible health problems, most of which have been brought on by his/her lifestyle choices. In other words, I have to pay for insurance I hardly ever use and also have to pay the high premiums because of others living unhealthy lives!!

If health insurance companies would start charging premiums based on a person's health, more people would be incented to stay healthy because they literally couldn't afford to be unhealthy. The same people that are complaining about the high premiums are the same people that are smoking, laying on the couch and watching TV, and eating 2,500-calories meals at Outback Steakhouse. It's not insurance companies causing the problems, it's the obesity problem that is the root of most of the healthcare system problems. It is overloading the system financially.

I understand that they are healthy people that come down with diseases for genetic or unknown reasons, but they represent a smaller percentage of the population that is utilizing health care services. The federal government and the health care industry companies can't fix the problem unless each individual takes responsibility for their own personal health and minimize their health care expenses!!!

put the senters on the same health care as we are and see how quick it well be changed

Universal, Single Payer Health care is the only solution. Take the profiteering insurance companies and big pharmaceuticals out of the equation.

I was looking for student (graduate school) insurance for our daughter when I got all information from my company of my changes in my health care benefits. Turns out the high deductible type plans are what I have to choose from, the old "mangaged care" that cost me hundreds of dollars is no longer available. Just to understand the new benefit and only insurance being offered this year has been SO complicated. it is so true, all that is certain now days is death, taxes and higher insurance premiums and deductibles.

I am very concerned about the rising cost
of health care in the US. The best solution is a system that has one organization that insures all citizens.

Another bad thing is if you don't have insurance and go to the hospital or doctor you get the bill and have to pay the full amount; whereas, the insurance company tells them what they are going to pay.

I am under insured with 3 riders on my private insurance policy.

I went to a specialist in June and they did book work. Total was $1800. The insurance company paid $1148.00. So the hospital had to write off the $672.00. I paid the $30 copay.

Now if this had been on my thyroid, for which I have a rider, I would have had to pay the entire amount.

They need to discount private insurance holders too; not just the hospitals.

Do we need legislation or what to make this happen? Mary Lou Davis

When is AARP going to get it. Medicare payments to providers are below there costs and many primary care physicians will not see traditional medicare patients. The variance in utilization from State to State is huge. If higher utilization States practiced medicine the way other states like Oregon practice we could pay providers more and improve access.

Another bad thing is if you don't have insurance and go to the hospital or doctor you get the bill and have to pay the full amount; whereas, the insurance company tells them what they are going to pay.

I am under insured with 3 riders on my private insurance policy.

I went to a specialist in June and they did book work. Total was $1800. The insurance company paid $1148.00. So the hospital had to write off the $672.00. I paid the $30 copay.

Now if this had been on my thyroid, for which I have a rider, I would have had to pay the entire amount.

They need to discount private insurance holders too; not just the hospitals.

Do we need legislation or what to make this happen? Mary Lou Davis

Responsibility for rising costs can be laid at more than one door step. Virtually all doctors order far more tests now than they would of years ago because they "have" to practice "defensive medicine" because greedy attornies are looking over their shoulders hoping for some "reasonable mistake" they can attack a doctor for to sue to maintain a high income and expensive life style for themselves. You know it and I know it. Politicians should think about passing taxes, since they like them so much, on the medical trial lawyers' income like the Senator Edwards running for President.

A P.S. to my prior comment. Have lawyers only able to be in plans with a $1,000,000 deductable. When they start to pay $671.11 for a drug that I paid $10.00 for with insurance, watch reality set in.

Most of us senior citizens can not afford a decent prescription plan so end up not able to take care of our health.Worked many years and not able to afford prescriptions.

How dare you?

Our health care crisis is the result of a system that allows health insurance companies that care about nothing but profit to be the gatekeepers of the system. No other civilized country in the world has a similar system which is why we are the only "civilized" country that does not provide universal, comprehensive health care.

I say how dare you because AARP is a major vender of health insurance, and a major enabler of the current corrupt system. If you really care about providing Americans with affordable health care shed your ties to the insurance industry and push for a single-payer system that will cover all Americans rather than looking for ever more creative means to deny coverage or claims. AARP is part of the problem. How about becoming part of the solution?

I can't get health insurance because I'm self employed and I have been denied insurance. That means I try to make it without health insurance. My son has medicine that costs about $400 per month. We just try to stay healthy and recently I found I could get medicines from England at a fraction of the cost. A perscription that would be $150 here is $12 in England. I had to go to the emergency room for a migraine headache and it was $900 for two hours!! I just have to hope I stay healthy. How can a rich country like the USA do this to its citizens?

I love the name given to this issue..quiet crisis. No matter who i write to, no one responds. Our governor cares about things like the everglades or other NON-PROBLEMS. There are tons of people here that have medicaid and cannot get a doctor that accepts it. I know a lady who was told by the ER that she had a heart attack and cannot get a cardiologist to help, so she is literally waiting to die. That is so unjust. I cannot understand the fear of socialized medicine. All would be treated the same. No one would be left behind. Doctors are no longer considered ANGELS OF MERCY. They just want the almighty dollar..they care NOTHING of the poor.

There was a time when hositals were operated by "charitable" organizations and health care was not a "for profit""industry." When profits and market share and competition with other health care providers are more important than promoting health, treating illness, and alleviating pain and suffering, the health care system fails us all.
Statistics have been published that indicate huge raises in the costs of prescription medicines after the drug companies were permitted to advertise -- they spend more promoting their products in the media and to health care professionals than they do on research and development. I would like to see a report on the rise in hospital and doctors costs in relation to the onset of advertising their services. There was a time when it was considered unethical for medical practitioners to advertise.
The parade of drug company representatives in and out of doctors offices (bringing meals and other bribes to the office personnel) is sickening. And we, the consumers, play into this charade by falling for the ads and expecting and demanding the latest purple, yellow, green, blue or red pills, by feeling we are not being well-served if we don't get another prescription, by over-relying on doctors and pills to keep or get us well and by failing to take more personal responsibility for our health.
One can only imagine what Dr. Robert Jarvik is being paid for the mega advertising campaign on TV and in newspapers and magazines. In my view, he has sold his professional reputation, if not his soul, to a drug company. How sad.

I have been unemployed because of health conditions and now have COBRA but find that very hard to pay the premiums every month and that will run out. I am starting to feel well enough to look for a job and hope I can find one soon before COBRA runs out or I run out of money. The stress of the concern I have for my financial future is not helping my medical issues. There has to be a way to fairly and affordably provide health insurance to all citizens.

We are not "struggling" to pay for our health care. It is our responsibility to take care of ourselves and not look for the government to solve all our problems.

I have heard the foes of universal health care brag that we have the best health care in the world. My own experience in a Sicilian hospital taught me that their health care system is as good as ours and they never asked how I would pay for care. It was free.
Additionaly, as far a government fouling up our health care system, I can tell you that the VA hospital I use is much more patient friendly than any private hospital I have been at.

I am an actively employed R.N. with over 36 years working in health care. I am currently working on a general medical floor in a well recognized hospital in NW Michigan, but spent most of my years in nursing in the Texas Medical Center in Houston. I see two very glaring faults in our current health care system. One being the under or uninsured who do not seek health care until they are so sick it requires hundreds of thousands of dollars to treat them at the taxpayers expense. The second is the "overtreatment" of the very elderly patients who come in from nursing homes or assited living care facilities who get every test and treatment available, often to no avail. I would love to become a part of a medical ethics committee , as I think the only way we are going to put a stop to the rising cost of medical care is to put a "cap" on how much treatment we render to people who have no quality of life when they enter the hospital but are given million dollar work-ups and treatments that ultimately do not give them any better quality of life, just prolong the inevitable and cost millions in Medicare dollars. I think everyone who signs up for Medicare or Medicaid, and their families , should be confronted about the extent and amount of care they receive upon entering the hospital.I recently had a patient who has had Alzheimer's for over 10 years, was incapble of speaking, moving on her own or making any any decisions on her own. Her husband insisted on placing a feeding tube in her stomach to keep her nourished as he was not ready to let her go. This was selfish and inhumane treatment to this patient. There has got to be a limit to the treatment in cases such as this, especially when there are 30-40 year old uninsured working mothers who are not covered by insurance, cannot afford a mammogram and die of breast cancer, leaving children who are also uninsured. Where do we STOP????????? Just because we have the technology do we just continue to treat? There has got to be a limit. How can I get involved in such a process. I think every patient's family should be shown a video of what a real "Full Code" is actually like when they bring their frail , elderly loved ones in to the hospital and want " everything" done for them, including chest compressions that fracture their brittle ribs, sternum and vertebrae,intubation that keeps them alive by artificial means and only less than 10% recover with any quality of life.
I often tell my elderly patients that they are getting the best medical care anyone in the U.S. is going to get as we are financially going broke. Not to mention that the average internal medicine doctor in the U.S. is 53 years old and the average R.N. is 48-50 years old. Where is that quality healthcare going to come from in the future? There are 150,000 nursing school applicants turned away every year as nursing instructors are required to have a Master's or PhD. in nursing, yet only offered a starting nurse's salary, so they go on to more lucrative positions. In the meantime, Congress is passing legislature to allow 156,000 R.N.'s from third world countries to enter the U.S. to help fill in the ever widening need for more nurses. I have personally worked with some of these nurses, and while some are good, many have marginal skills and language knowledge. We are also robbing third world countries of their need for skilled nursing and medical professionals.
It is time for America to wake up to the ever growing need. It is estimated that by 2020, there is going to be a need for 1 million more nurses than we currently have. Do you forsee a problem? I sure do.

I am 65 years old with numerous health problems. My husband is (72)

in a wheelchair and on oxygen 24/7. He also has a difibulator in his chest, copd, emphasyma, asthma, recovering from broken hip. The only income we have is social security. Our combined income is less than $20,000. a year. We residen in a mobile home park. The lot rent and utilities are $1400. a month. We carry medicare and suppliment health insurance. In another month or two I have to make the decission to drop the suppliment insurance. When it comes to paying the electric or health care, which do I choose? Boots in Va.

At age 81 my main concern is how sharply dental care (ordinary dental care alone) has increased moving into an adjoining state only 2.5 years ago. I now live in the most populated metropolitan area of my new state. It appears there has been an almost 100 percent increase. Most recently, because a front tooth (No. 27) became loose I visited a dentist I've been seeing the last 2 years or so. An x-ray was taken of the tooth and that plus an evaluation of the situation cost was $90. The evaluation: I need dental surgery for the tooth to be removed. This has happened on an earlier occasion and the surgeon's bill then was approximately $350. This time I anticipate the surgeon's bill to be aproximately $250. If I did have dental insurance I expect my out-of-pocket expense would be about half as much (plus cost of monthly insurance premiums). My main concern, however, is how my regular dentist could charge $90 for just looking at the tooth, examining the x-ray and then advising I need to see another practitioner. I havn't had the time to see another dentist but I plan to do so, perhaps soon. Anticipated cost for the second visit is within a range of $25 to $45 since I do have the negative for the first x-ray. The second visit is likely to enlighten me affording an education in prevailing dental rates for my new location. This to me, however, is a costly education process.

Miguel

P.S. Previous dental care w/same dentist about a year earlier: A crown replacement, slightly more than $900. This, a reduced price that came down from approximately $1200. Dental surgery as stated earlier, was approx. $350, most likely a different tooth. Hard to recall the actual history w/o going back to the dentist for a history recap. About 3 to 4 years ago at the previous location the cost of a crown was aproximately $500.

it seems ironic the above
said they would have to wait till 65
to breath.
medicare does not pay for oxygen and supplies
needed by people who need life saving oxygen

We hear so many stories about the health care costs but I rarely seen why health care costs and medical insurances are going higher than the costs of living. Have you given some thoughts where that money is going? The majority medical doctors, large drug company and medical insurance company executives make good amount of incomes . I believe, unless we figures out how to make equitable for all parties involved, we won't be able to find good solution.

I think this is a real shame. You work your whole life thinking at the end you just might get a break. My husband has insurance at his work, which he needs because he has health issues. I can't be put on because we would not be able to pay other bills coming in. So what do you do? I believe I am a walking time bomb. I haven't had an exam for 19 years. At age 51 something has got to give eventually. I am afraid for the simple fact that if I do go and they find something I can't afford to take care of it.If they found something and I could get an insurance policy chances are what ever it was would be preexisting and wouldn't be covered. It is a shame that in our great country this issue hasn't been fixed. Wages stay the same and the expenses keep going up.
How are we ever going to see the light. Preferably not the one at the end of the tunnel. Sad thought, but I think more and more people just want it over with so they don't have the stress anymore. My husband was laid off for 8 months and we lost all our savings.
If I get sick we would loose our home. Now how is that fair? We need some kind of plan that will take care of us no matter what. I tried to get a doctors appointment this week and I was 8 balled because I didn't have insurance.
Another Doctor I called, I was told the first visit would be $150.00 and they still would not be able to see me for 2 weeks!! That's insane. The reason the higher cost was for the first visit was paper work. Odd, I fill out the paper work and upon my visits that is when the files are created. I think Florida has one of the worst health care systems in the United States. Just thinking about it causes unnecessary stress. This is a big issue and I am sure I am not the only one in this position. I feel all I do is pay insurance and taxes and none of it is for my well being. I feel I would be better off on the street. It's sad very sad.I could be very healthy or there could be something wrong. Who knows? As long as the system stays the way it is I guess I will never know until it is to late.
Sincerely,
C. A. Thomeczek

like I keep tellin ya, until we can get rid of the two stupid women senators, fineswine and the boxer bitch"""" nothing is gonna happen, they are set for life, so THINK ABOUT IT,, they don't give a dam, they don't care, they get big payoffs, ect ect. WAKE UP AMERICA.....................

Bravo and kudos to the comment here by Juliene Purefoy, she is spot on and I ditto every fact she shared. This health epedemic is not rocket science, as Ms. Purefoy points out, the food chain is toxic,loaded with things the body doesn't even recognize as fuel, and can't operate normally because people become addicted to it. My targets: the FDA/food chain, western medicine, media,and big pharma, all in bed with each other because of the reward of money, power and greed. I am a 62 year old woman, I take no perscription drugs,not even over the counter aspirin,as I never do I have an ache of any kind, and pain relivers are toxic to the body.
I purchased a water ionizer machine two years ago and drink a gallon a day of alkaline water, flushing the acidic wastes(that is the stuff that is at the root cause of all illness), eat a diet of alkaline food, mostly vegetables, fruit, seasonal, organic and fresh. I practice alternative medicine like Juliene and exercise/weight train twice a week. I keep a positive attitude, educate myself to the workings and miracles of my body, honor it and look and feel like I'm 35! Writing a book about the body's pH, alkaline/acid balance to share what I've learned and applied with others. My targets do not want us to know the truth about our own health, how the body can heal itself if we only would feed it and hydrate it so that it can and will remain in a healthy and happy state.

Social Sucurity demands I work to age 67 to have full retirement. I lost most of my 401K nest egg in stock losses. With the cost of medicine today, and being underinsured at work, it is hard to imigine the small retirement to carry needed expenses. To add to this there are no rent controls so housing is added to this delima. We need medical cost controls / insurance designed to benefit customers, not as a wealth gain for salesmen / rent controls / and a government that cares about all people in America - not just themselves.

I am fully aware as a retiree of the explosion of health care costs. And the fact that unless you meet special conditions set by the insurers you may die of a condition that they do recogize. I feel that this is and enditment of the political system and the fact there are too few doctors. This is all controlled by the American Medical Association and the insurance companies. Personally I would not be unhappy if there were Federal Guide lines that made these folks do what moraly, ethically they should be doing or be put out of business and have there homes cars etc. confiscated.

Congress and all people employed by all levels of government should be forced to contribute to social security and medicare just like non-government workers. And also expierience the short comings of both those programs. Then maybe they would address the problem instead of bowing to the various health care and insurance lobbyists. It is pretty sad when congress allows the lobbyists to write the very laws that govern them. I would almost bet that most congessmen have never had to pay for an insurance premium, a hospital bill or a prescription since the have been in the goverment sector. Guess who
pays for all of these benefits? Could it be the Taxpayer? Yet when a taxpayer recieves social security or medicare benefits, they
call it by the nasty name of entitlement. Who is really getting the entitlement. Judging by the girth of a good many of them they have never had to make the choice between eating or buying prescriptions. I wiil probably be confronted with that choice when I hit the doughnut hole.

P.S. My current premium for health insurance is $665.00 per month ($5,000) deductable. Why is this cost pretax income if you are fortunate to have it paid by your employer, but not if you pay it out of your own pocket.

We need to vote out all the politicians who are lining their pockets with $$ from the drug companies, and the insurance industry. Then the costs will drop dramatically.

My wife Susie has survived two bouts of cancer. I'll be 60 this year. She is ten years younger. I'd like to retire in five or six years. I'll have Medicare & Medicade, but not Susie... for ten more years!

Because of our concerns about health insurance for Susie, my employer recommended I work until I'm 72... so she's covered by our company's insurance. When I retire, our out of pocket cost will be about $1000 per month for three years (under COBRA). After that, it goes up... if we can get it?

I find it difficult to think about buying a home (we rent). We understand that one serious illness could potentially us out on the street. I served in military uniform for twenty years. Married my wife seven years ago. She is indeed my guardian angel! We are worried about the future.

I lost my job of 20yrs. My former employer sent me some information about COBRA, but, even that is too expensive. I am diabetic and need to purchase medication.

We need national healthcare in this country. I also have another friend who has no healthcare.

The health care system in America definitely does not fit into the equal rights platform of our founding fathers, but having the ability to change does. My cousin of Heimlich manuver fame, Dr. Henry Heimlich, gave me advice that is defintely the magic pill for health. A majortiy of America's rising health costs stems from not only horrific eating habits, but from dehydration and lack of unprocessed salt. We are a country that hydrates ourselves through coffee, iced tea, soft drinks and energy boosters. These liquids do not hydrate, they dehydrate. I have had chronic asthma, bronchitus, and sinus problems for years, and after only one week of drinking one half my body weight in ounces of water per day along with 1/16 of an ounce of either unprocessed sea salt or cave salt per 8 oz glass of water, I no longer needed an inhaler or disc, and my broncial and sinus problems vanished. It has been a year now without a single occurance. In short, hydration with the correct salt content will prevent numerous health problems and in turn biillions of dollars.

I lost a job in school administration and now pay $1800 each month for COBRA insurance. About half of the meds I use are not covered by the Catalyst drug program. Doctor mandated eyrdrops, for example, cost $185 for 5 ml. I have a few yrs to get on medicare and am spending down my retirement funds just to get medical insurance. The amount of deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance is incresibly high and the ability to deduct medical expenses for tax purposes is pathetic. The US is clearly among the third world nations in providing access to medical services.

The US system of medical services is dominated by the insurance industry and pays outlandish fees to medical doctors and pharmaceutical companies. A recent hospital visit was charged at $85,000 for vascular surgery. A life of saving for retirement is about to go down the tubes for medical care.

I deeply resent the President publicly announcing that most people can get free medical services at any emergency room. His bizarre attitude is part of what is wrong with the politics and profits of medicine. There are many solutions apart from socialized medicine.

I can just imagine people going to the emergency room to get their colonoscopy like the one he recently had. Or going for help with treatment for a lifetime of diabetes issues. Emergency rooms have abecomea dumping ground for third class citizens and are constantly overworked. From my many experiences here, you need to be fluent in Spanish. Only severe issues are partially treated and others are merely referred elsewhere or dumped back on the streets. The President sounds so stupid when he and his supporters promote this process as a national policy.

Health services are among the most luctative of all businesses but severly limited to those with cash access and that is a disaster that will only get worse. I believe that current administration will face a hostile electorate along with a badly divided country because of the failure to recognize the national disaster in medical service availability and access for most Americans.

I agree 100% We need more afordable health insurance.

Well, while I'm certainly not an analyst on this subject, but I think it is fair to say that medical tort reform is long overdue to halt the flight of doctors from general practicing to "specialty", usually cosmetic practices or out all together.
The other issue is the funding by taxpayers and insurance premium payers for the services rendered to the hordes of illegal alliens! I'm from California and we have had 83 hospitals and emergency care facilities close in the last two years. And...I don't blame them! The government forces them to care for anybody that shows up, this usually means an illegal alien. Of course, they cannot pay (and they know that)for the services rendered. Like any business, if you were the owner and offered goods or services and you could not get paid for them....how long would YOU be able to stay in business?
This is true of many of the infrastructure support services we have, but when you introduce an additional 10-15% increase in people who need these services, but cannot pay, the system WILL collapse as we are seeing today.
Further, why should I have to pay higher and higher insurance premiums as a result of the government not doing their jobs of enforcing existing laws they swore that they would? Just frustrating to a law abiding citizen who's watching the gradual destruction of a great society and culture.

My concern is about dentel health. I just had my teeth cleaned and the total cost was a $1000.00. I have Insurance, but I still had to pay almost $300.00 out of pocket. I now know why Insurance is so high. Doctors and Dentist charge too much. I have a lot of work to be done on my teeth, but I just can't afford it. If I had to pay almost $300.00 to have my teeth cleaned, how much would I have to pay for a root canal and a post put in, so the dentist can fix a broken tooth?

I am 55 years old and have been living without insurance since May 2002 when the company that I was working for went bankrupt. I now work for a company doing medical transcription and my schedule is that of part-time so I don't qualify for insurance, but don't even think I would qualify if I stepped my status up to full-time as there are line requirements, etc. with medical transcription and the money that was once made by a transcriptionist has been reduced by half or better due to outsourcing, etc.

My cholesterol has crept up and I'm the primary caregiver for my 90-year-old father (this is the main reason why I'm not working full-time -- I never know what's going to happen with him. Between November 2006 and June 2007, he was in the emergency room and/or hospital at least 8 times) who since February 2007 is in a nursing facility as I could no longer handle his healthcare in my home, but I still take care of everything else regarding his affairs and visit him almost daily to keep tabs on his care (should we also discuss the arena of nursing home care -- better not as it's just as bad, probably worse than healthcare in general). The stress level is very high for me and I'm very tired, barely able to work my part-time hours. I'm just going on a wing and a prayer that I stay healthy. I do have some in savings but as others have expressed my fear is that I'm one major illness away from becoming bankrupt.

The whole nation is under this stress regarding healthcare. For the United States being the country that it is, this is unacceptable. The spiraling out-of-control healthcare costs are going to bring our nation down in so many other ways that it's scary to even speculate how people's lives will deteriorate on an overwhelming scale. The effects on society in general will be very demoralizing and in most cases deadly.

Our policy makers on all levels have got to start taking this problem seriously -- the old saying "Actions speak louder than words" really fits. And to be fair, each and every one of us have the responsibility to do what we can in staying healthy ourselves, diet, exercise, etc.

I see that you are a chickenshit organization, I figured you wouldn't print my letter. can't stand the truth about those two corrupt senator women, so take me off your list, don't sent me anything anymore, your all gutless!!!!!!!! no wonder you can't get anywhere, try telling the truth to everyone

Since retiring from JCPenney, we had to drop medical/dental insurance because of the cost. We have Linda on a AARP insurance program, but if there was a major illness, we couldn't afford it. The premium was all we could afford even though it didn't provide the coverage we needed. We had to drop dental insurance and I just had a tooth extracted and I have to make a decision about putting in a bridge for $3300.00 or not replacing the tooth. This shouldn't happen.

The answer to our healthcare problem is HR-676 a SINGLE-PAYER National health insurance and would REMOVE the private insurance companies and their profit incentive that must put profit before care. For anyone who thinks that we can ever get meaningful reform while still retaining the very problem I would like to pose the following scenario.

Imagine operating the fire department or police in the same fashion we do healthcare. If you live in a neighborhood that has had more fires you have to pay more for fire coverage than someone in another area that has had fewer fires. And private companies - middlemen who have nothing to do with providing fire protection – will be in charge of paying the fire department and their sole incentive, even by law, will not be ensuring fire protection but their profit. And this alone is the incentive to deny fire protection or not to pay for it. So, picture this. You have a fire and you call the fire department but rather than send out a truck pronto, they now have to worry about how THEY will be paid and need to run a check to see if you are covered before they can dispatch a fire truck. And they are told how many trucks they can dispatch. If they do show up and put out the fire they perhaps charge you a huge co-pay. Or if the private company decides they are not responsible for the cost based on some exclusion in their 1000 page finely printed policy (perhaps they investigate and learn you smoke and didn't divulge there were pre-existing matches in the house) you are hit with the entire bill. This is how private insurance works in our healthcare! And we put up with it! But with our system now, you must understand, people will set more fires and be more careless because the fire department is FREE!

Finally, I must say it is shameful that AARP is misusing their non-profit status to push legislation that benefits them and their insurance business - not their members or the public at large. In California AARP and other insurance companies are spending millions to mislead the public and with Astroturf coaltions and sites such as this and their It's OUR Healthcare in CA pushing for Schwartznegger's plan or Nunez AB8 to kill the REAL reform (SB840 single payer bill in CA) that the Gov vetoed last year despite overwhemlming support. The polls are in and over 60% of the nation wants a single payer system and the only thing stopping this are insurance companies clinging to the billions they suck away from our healthcare. AARP pushed for Medicare-D and now phoney healthcare reform for their own profit. They are no longer the organization they started out to be. Time to throw away my AARP card for good.

My health insurance just increased from 765.00/month to $877.00 month and that's with a $5,000.00 deductible. I can however, increase my deductible to $10,000.00 which would allow me to may a mere $702/month. Gee, isn't that great?
I just don't understand how they can keep applying these $100+ a year increases when a person has barely used their plan for anything.

Medicare's private plans were introduced decades ago in the hope that they would control spending and increase the coordination of care. Today, Medicare Advantage plans are paid more than ever, and PFFS plans, which do not even attempt to coordinate care, have seen the overwhelming majority of growth in enrollment. This has resulted in billions of taxpayer dollars being spent on private coverage without any of the promised efficiency. Meanwhile, millions of seniors and people with disabilities who r