I am one of the lucky ones because 53 years ago Medicare was enacted to pay for my medical care when I turned 65, and I have used it. Fortunately, I am pretty healthy so that the only healthcare I have to pay for out of pocket is: MediGap insurance ($200/month) for the services Medicare doesn’t cover, including co-pays, Medicare D prescription insurance ($40/month), prescriptions that Medicare D opts not to pay ($250/month), eye appointments ($40 per visit), routine dental visits ($200/visit). Total $535/month.
I shudder to think about people less fortunate than I who cannot afford health insurance and/or whose deductibles are so high they can’t afford care. I feel for those under 65, who have multiple or chronic illnesses that are not covered or who have multiple basic family health expenses that are not covered.
Could I be luckier? Sure, if the Massachusetts Medicare for All bill which has been stuck in committee in the Massachusetts Legislature for years were enacted. It would provide for: universal health, dental and vision care for all residents of Massachusetts without co-pays, and no co-pays for prescription drugs. My healthcare costs would be halved and quality of life, doubled. No worrying about whether a service is covered, complicated forms to fill out, worries about losing insurance if circumstances change, plus continuing to see my preferred primary care provider.
If my lucky life gets luckier, how much luckier would be the lives of those folks who aren’t as lucky as me right now. Luckier and healthier!
On November 6, six western Massachusetts legislative districts will have a non-binding ballot question that will direct the representative from those districts to bring Medicare for All out of committee for legislative vote. This is a chance for the people in those districts to have clout in making their lives better. For those in districts where that issue will not be on the ballot, you still can urge your representative to prioritize your healthcare and financial needs and support getting this bill out of committee for a vote.
If we residents of Massachusetts make our legislature work for the benefit of us all, we all can be lucky and healthy.
Jay H. Holtzman, M.D.
Belchertown