Retired teacher, Stella Johnson, joined Nancy Pelosi & House leadership at the Capitol yesterday to add her perspective on the health reform bill coming up for a vote.
Here's what she had to say:
My name is Stella Johnson, and I am a retired school teacher for Washington, D.C. I am also a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans. Like many seniors, I must take prescriptions every day to manage my high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But unfortunately, along with over 3 million other seniors, I am in what is known as the Medicare “donut hole.”
For several months of the year, I have to pay full price for my prescriptions, even though I am still paying my Medicare premiums. In other words, I pay the money but get nothing in return. For an example, in 2008, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that I would not receive any money for my medicine during the month of December. No you know how that is, that is supposed to be a very joyful month. However, I found myself, during that time, quite desperate for I would not receive any money until the new year for my insurance began. I had to use my utility bill money in order to buy my medicine. And then, in order to catch up these bills, I had to even go to borrow money from my food money. I became quite desperate, and I didn’t know what to do. Because in times like this, it is very hard for me to make ends meet. I have to chose between taking the medicines I need and paying my monthly bills. Because my prescription costs so much, I fall behind on some of these bills. When I get hit with late penalties, things even get worse.
The health care bill will help seniors like me, who struggle every day to afford the prescriptions they must have. Retirees all across the country desperately need this bill to pass right away.
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