The findings from this somewhat dated (November 2014) report from Commonwealth Fund continue to bother me. How can some folks feel this is right or fair?
We enter into a social contract with our workers: work hard, play by the rules, and when you retire we will ensure that you have an income and access to affordable quality healthcare. For millions, we’ve failed to uphold our end of the bargain. Just look at this:
Nearly 1 in 5 seniors (65+) have trouble paying for healthcare because of out-of-pocket costs. That’s ridiculous. I can only imagine how many of those surveyed are thinking specifically of the pills they cut in half, the doses they skip, or the prescriptions left unfilled.
Thankfully, some Americans have found a way to fill their medications with legitimate pharmacies in Canada. But I’m afraid of what the future holds… with pharmaceutical companies trying night-and-day to stamp out access to safe and affordable medications for our seniors.
Again… how is this not seen as just plain wrong? Don’t we have a personal right to accessing good healthcare, including ways to find safe medications? I know some think America is exceptional, but it seems we fall short when it comes to giving our seniors exceptional healthcare. This has got to end.
We do have some support in Congress from a select group of U.S. Senators and a couple of members of the U.S. House.
If you are reading this and think – as I do – that this needs to change, please join us, write your elected officials, and talk to your friends and neighbors to join the fight.