President George H. Bush while in office, made a speech claiming: "there is a safety net for those Americans who need medical help and cannot afford it." I’ve found there is "no safety net!" I’ve heard from many of you on and off the air who have worked hard all of your lives, paid taxes, social security and been a productive member of society only to find when a serious illness came your way, your income and savings were depleted. And there is no money left for insurance or prescription drugs. Since you have paid into the system you seek help only to find out there is very little help, and the so-called safety net offers no security, because it is full of holes to fall through.
A listener from North Carolina, age 61, worked 33 years for one company. They reached a very responsible position, being in charge of overseeing the business in half of North Carolina and Virginia. They had quadruple by-pass surgery, went back to work six weeks later, and continued to work for three years until company relocated their offices. This lady has multiple health problems, diabetes being one of them. She wanted to work, however due to age (yeah I know employers are told not to discriminate against age–at least openly) and health problems, she couldn’t work. At this point she applied for "disability." She was a prime candidate, needing help. However, she was turned down three times. She finally hired a lawyer and just recently received her first disability check. The process took almost two years. Would you call this a safety net? I don’t think so. Her husband is a few years older than she is, and had retired, but he had to find employment to put food on the table and buy medication.
Another listener from Virginia, went to her doctor and was told she had a tumor the size of a grapefruit in her stomach. The doctor referred her to a female surgeon, who wanted cash for the consultation in the amount of $165.00 and 50% of the cost of surgery up front. The woman resides in Pulaski, Virginia and was 57-years- old at the time and had been working. She had insurance, until her employment ended. She didn’t have the 50% cash for the operation. Friends tried to find help for her. Finally, she was told if she could be in the University of Virginia Emergency Room, Charlottesville, Virginia, on May 1, 2005 there may be enough money for her operation. I’m thankful to report she was there, the operation was a success, however she was told if she had not been operated on she would not have lived two more weeks.
The two examples I’ve just given, were people who were productive members of society as long as they were able, however when they needed a safety net it was full of holes! We need to be far more concerned about our disabled and elderly. Let your elected officials hear concern over this very important issue.
The new Medicare Law doesn’t go far enough. If foreign aid is cut around 95% we can take care of needy Americans like these dear ladies!