Let's Be Honest About Health Care

This month is my anniversary. Four years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and an ailing liver. Luckily, I had health insurance. However, even with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, our (my husband and I) health costs that year reached $12,000. Again, twelve thousand dollars with insurance. My husband was on Medicare so his costs were pretty minimal. I wasn't eligible for Medicare for three more months. Cancer can spread fast. Waiting three months was not an option.

I had surgery, doctor appointments, further tests, and continuing treatment which resulted in $12,000 for the year 2005. The happiest birthday I ever had was the birthday of Medicare.

Let's be honest. Medicare is government insurance. I hear people all the time insist "I paid for Medicare." A little. Most of us outlive our contributions to Medicare. The government's return on the investment of Medicare funds does not begin to cover escalating health costs. So, what's all the frenzy on Universal Health Care? We already have it for senior citizens. And the shouting of "Hitler" and "Socialism?" Germany's Universal Health Care for its citizens was instituted in 1883. Long before Hitler. Socialism? Hitler's Germany was Nazism. The word "Socialism" is branded about by people who can afford excellent health care and seniors who already are benefiting from "Socialism" with Medicare.

Let's be honest.