Falling Yet Again Through the Doughnut Hole

My husband was figuring our drug costs once again as I came in the door from a relaxing walk around our neighborhood. "What's the bad news?" I asked since he had already prepared me that once again we were falling through the doughnut hole for his final set of prescriptions for the calendar year. "$950," was his reply. If we had to pay completely out of pocket for his meds, we would pay $3800 per year. As it is, we have prescription drug coverage with Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield for him and pay $63.50 per month for it. In addition, we pay $300 every time he orders his three-month supply. Our total is now up to $1663 per year for routine meds, plus the extra $950 for the doughnut hole. In other words, we pay 69% of our drug costs, and the plan pays 31%. While we are glad to have some assistance on cost, the bill hits us hard right as Christmas is approaching. We ask ourselves frequently, "Would a universal health care plan, accompanied by higher taxes, of course, be good for America?" We believe it would be. We look forward to seeing how the presidential candidates can help the average American.

I think also of my friend who just visited us for a couple of nights. She was interviewing for either a research or teaching position here in Little Rock. Her Ph.D. is in plant sciences, yet she cannot afford to keep her health insurance since she has no job at the moment. Her last job search, especially difficult since her work depends on public and/or private funding for research, lasted three years. She has recently had several medical procedures for which she had to pay for completely out of her small savings. She is not a member of the under class; she has the highest educational degree possible plus years of postdoctoral work. Universal health insurance would be a Godsend for her--and many millions of others in our society.

Both of the above examples feature a family who carries health insurance and a single who cannot afford it. Is there no balm in Gilead?