Health Care Reform or Rip-Off?

As of the first of the year, my monthly health care premium for the Part C Medi-Care coverage I opted to purchase increases twice in a short 5 months. Thus, I currently pay $137.47, but will pay $155.50 by May 2011, an increase of $18.03/month, or $216 annually. If I understand correctly, I am then again due for another rate increase at the end of next year -- twice.

With these increases pretty much a done deal, I can continue to pay the increased rates or decrease my coverage, the old "between a rock and a hard place" forced choice situation that leads many senior citizens to drop their coverage at a time in their lives when it is most needed.

Meanwhile, the medical professionals book as many appointments as they can to make up for the decreased payment allowances being made by the insurance providers. If you don't get the money upfront, you have to bring the payee back often to keep the revenue stream flowing. Thus, a simple annual check-up starts at the primary care physician, but then involves the lab for blood work, the cardiologist, the eyes/nose/throat specialist, the bone specialist, the mammogram clinic, ad infinitum, the purpose of which, according to my primary care clinic, is to rule out anything about which I may not be aware. When I add a trip to the dentist and another visit with my eye care professional, neither of which is covered by insurance, I am paying, paying, paying -- and also paying for the insurance policies!

Reform by any other name is simply another ill-conceived piece of legislation that was signed before it was written.