Health Care Stories: Affording Adequate Care Under Medicare

Those suffering from chronic health issues like HIV or AIDS are at a tremendous financial disadvantage because of the overwhelming cost of quality, long-term medical care and treatment.  Even if they are lucky enough to be covered, the out-of-pocket fees, high premiums, cost of prescriptions, caps and donut-holes prohibit many from accessing the care they desperately need.  Medicare and disability benefits cannot provide the necessary financial support required to adequately treat long-term, chronic illnesses like AIDS, for example, and without health care reform that ensures a viable public option that’s both affordable and inclusive, the costs associated with health care will continue to rise while Americans’ health declines.  

“…I am a native of Chicago now living in the San Diego area. Ten years ago, I was forced to leave my job at [a Chicago firm] due to AIDS. I, not like the friends I lost to AIDS, am a survivor and living with many side affects due to the medication for HIV. Within the past ten years, I have gone through numerous surgeries such as bi-lateral hip replacement, several retinitis surgical procedure to save the one eye sight I have left, colon and throat surgeries to remove cancerous cells and now facing shoulder replacement due to Avascular Narcosis of the joints as with my hips. I have been on Medicare since going on long term disability and have had to struggle with overwhelming out of pocket cost for co-pays to doctor visits, surgeries and monthly medicine requirements... It is not fair that after struggling for so many years to stay alive and live healthy lives, that many are forced to give up after all the hard work and just give up.”  

Credence, CA