Thanks for warning about how 'Medicare for all' could treat us

To The Daily Sun,

I was saddened to read in Alan Vervaeke’s column on January 25 of the passing of his mother and the difficulties in her final months. His column reveals the compassion, help, love, and responsibility that he and his siblings provided to and for his mother. They should be proud that they did what they could to help ease the final journey for his mother, a journey that everyone, one way or another, will take.

I found several lessons in Alan’s column. First, we need to do things to ensure that we have the best chances to enjoy all our days, e.g., healthy diet, exercise, no smoking, and periodic check-ups and tests like colonoscopies.

Second. We must know our bodies so we can tell if a doctor’s diagnosis isn’t right. Modern medicine can help with most problems, especially when identified early. If a treatment isn’t improving your problem, quickly see the doctor again, get a second opinion or a third; keep forcing the issue until the real problem is identified. Delays can be deadly.

Third. When visiting a doctor, especially as a senior citizen or if you have a health problem, take a family member or close friend with you. In our brief meetings with doctors, it’s too easy for patients alone to miscommunicate or forget important doctor comments. Your companion can help ensure clear communications of patient’s questions and concerns and doctor’s answers and instructions.

Fourth. Everyone needs substantial savings to deal with unexpected expenses. Everyone must save; you can live without many niceties, e.g., cable, Netflix (I’ve done it). Books, magazines, newspapers, movies and internet services are available at libraries for free. Social Security alone isn’t enough income to live comfortably and handle unexpected expenses, especially after a spouse passes away.

Fifth. Medicare is not a panacea. Vervaeke describes unexpected expenses and an arbitrary, if not callous, attitude from Medicare. We often see this when service providers don’t have to satisfy customers. Almost everyone can expect the same arbitrary decisions made by remote, faceless, but well paid Medicare bureaucrats.

Sixth. “Medicare for all” means everyone can expect similar arbitrary decisions by Medicare bureaucrats. Despite occasional frustrations with insurance companies, if they don’t treat customers fairly they will lose business as people spread the word. Also, state agencies should ensure that insurance companies provide contracted benefits and treat customers fairly, and they can penalize abusive insurance companies.

Seventh. “Medicare for all” won’t provide all the medical care that everyone needs; there will be even less money for health care for seniors. That’s the lesson we see in government controlled health care around the world.

The people pushing “Medicare for all” also promised us that Obamacare would be great, allow you to keep your doctor, keep your insurance plan, and save your family $2,500 annually. They also believe in the “Complete Lives Method” of allocating medical resources which prioritizes spending on people ages 15-40 and further cuts spending on younger children and senior citizens.

These same people support abortion up to and even after birth; they have no respect for human life, you can’t expect them to protect senior citizens. Remember that the government has incentives to deny medical care and let senior citizens die; medical care expenses and Social Security payments end, and estate taxes may be collected.

Politicians’ promises are great sounding but government has a poor record of delivering on politicians’ promises. As Vervaeke describes, the reality is that remote bureaucrats don’t care about you personally; they have their rules and the power to enforce them, and they don’t see people’s suffering.

Alan Vervaeke’s column was/is a public service. Whether you agree or disagree with my conclusions, everyone should consider what Vervaeke’s column suggests about how Medicare may treat them and their loved ones when they most need it, and be prepared.

Don Ewing

Meredith