Posted At Toledo Blade
BY : Ben Hirschler
The ill conceived Medicare prescription drug coverage forced on seniors by the present administration is nothing short of a cruel joke. We were told it was to help us with prescription drug costs. The very poor may benefit and the rich don't have to worry, but it lays an even bigger financial burden on those of us who fall between the cracks.
HMOs subsidized by Medicare deduction from seniors' Social Security are required to follow Medicare guidelines. If the HMO raises the "cap" on medication as mine has done, it also compensates itself by raising its premium and its co-pays, plus the deductible for hospitalization. If its formulary does not include drugs the patient requires, the out-of-pocket cost can be unaffordable. Another bitter pill to swallow, no pun intended.
We can now add this new financial setback to the escalating list of increased prices of almost everything essential to our basic needs. The ripple effect starts back at the invasion of Iraq and there is no end in sight.
We were better off before President Bush decided to take advantage of our seniors' naivete and thrust this poor excuse of a prescription cost "solution" on our helpless backs. Of course, he will never have to worry about covering his health-care needs. Nor will the politicians in our government. It make me wonder if the so-called middle class is on its death bed.
