Health and Medicine - - Updated

A friend and I were talking yesterday about the cost of medicine. He and I are the same age and both of us have encountered health problems along the way. Never in a million years in 1969, when we graduated from high school, did we envision what our future held. Some of our fellow classmates have experienced much more than we have and I wonder how in the world they survived - also realizing that some haven't survived.

Employers are normally in charge of the choice of health insurance being offered - they pay part of the premium so they make the decision. I honestly believe employers try to negotiate the best coverage for the money. Why? Because they are covered under the same policy. The employee has an advantage in this case. The self employed can obtain health insurance for about the same premium, however the coverage is vastly different. Deductibles, co-pays, max out of pocket expenses are all at a higher level. Where a group (where the employer offers health insurance) may have a $500 deductible, the self employed individual will have a $1500 deductible. If you are a smoker, then the cost of insurance is higher.

Supplemental insurance can ease the burden, but that adds to the cost of the coverage. So, why not pay a higher premium and get more coverage.

Having insurance doesn't mean free health care. Co-pays can run $25 - $50 a visit, then heaven forbid if x-rays or blood tests are needed. These all add to the co-pay and that $25 can quickly turn into $225. Is that why people are now focusing on eating healthy, getting exercise, quitting smoking, breathing healthier air and on and on?

Oh! Don't forget the medicine! This is something my doctor and I agree to disagree on. I have high cholesterol or so my doctor says. My cholesterol runs at 200 - remember when this was the norm? Well now the norm has dropped to 150, so I am in real trouble! It is hereditary and I admit I love fried chicken. I cannot - probably because of a mental block - take all those "-tor" drugs. Fish oil suits me just fine. So what does my doctor do, he gives me a prescription for super fish oil. My co-pay is $100 per bottle of 300 capsules. Give me a break! What are these things made of gold? Does he really believe I am going to pay that for fish oil when I can get 100 capsules for $11.99 and most of the time I get those on sale with a "buy 1 get 2 free".

And please don't be diagnosed with diabetes! Not only do you have your morning and evening pill for the insulin problem, but you have to have a pill for your kidneys (don't want to go on dialysis) and then sometimes another for your eyes. This can go on for years and years. The cost is astronomical and remember you have to check your blood at least daily or sometimes 2-3 times a day - add the machine and the supplies to those costs. Social security is not enough for the health costs much less the light bill and the groceries.

If you are diagnosed with heart problems or cancer and you may as well sell everything you own and find a cheap nursing home. You cannot afford to live. Even more reason to stay healthy. I was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago. The trips to the doctors, the x-rays, the ultra-sounds, the surgery - the costs were astronomical. If I had agreed to radiation and chemo it would have been even more. Yes, I refused radiation and chemo, but that is another story for another time.

It isn't the insurance companies fault as many would have you believe. Pharmaceuticals are the biggest reason for high medical costs. Doctors are pushing drugs for certain illnesses or health problems. Do they get a kick back? Do they get new equipment for their office, use of a time share on some wonderful beach, tickets to a ball game, an all expense paid hunting trip, or just supplies for their office?

Going to the hospital - take your own prescriptions. I was charged $72 for 2 tylenol tablets and that was 6 years ago. With the rate of inflation, no one can afford it now. I wonder what that supercharged fish oil would cost at the hospital?

I know the cost of producing drugs, the research and testing that goes into the development is high. But if you will pay attention, this "research and development" is grant funded! Yes, these are private companies, but they receive grants to find cures, research and develop medications and vaccines! These pharmaceutical companies are making money hand over fist on the results of grant funded research. Why is our costs so high?

If the government would put a cap on the cost of medications, the health care system would take care of itself. How do you put a cap on the cost of medication when the companies producing these medications contribute high dollars to your campaign to get re-elected time after time? Is your elected official listening to you or his contributors?

Check out this website - see the dollars Pharmaceuticals are pouring into lobbying for their cause!
www.opensecrets.org/lobby/ go to the Top Industries Section