Senior Daze

by Katie Bourg

About Katie: Having arrived in time for the Great (?) Depression, WWII, and all other 20th century problems, I am endowed with long and varied memories. Writing classes have long been my home away from home. Other people's stories are fascinating, and sharing is growth at its best. Hope you seniors will join me with your stories. Try it. You'll like it.

When I was young, I gave little or no thought to 'what ifs'. Life after school was a waiting period, during which I managed to support myself, have a good time, and look for a husband. That was as far as my worry antenna could reach. At 20 or 21, who expects to need much help? Or a way to pay for it?

One bout of pneumonia at 19 didn't trigger any anxiety. I happened to be in one of those few places offering that new idea called 'Medical Insurance.' Missing out on a couple of dates seemed far more important at the time.

Three years, a marriage, and an unexpected stork attack came as a shock, not only to me. My new husband and father had just decided to build a house, and planned on my working to pay for it. I recovered before they did, but the house wasn't built for another seven years.

The new husband wanted to enroll in his company's new health plan. I was reluctant, thinking it would likely cut into my play money, not his. The arrival of a pretty little blonde, along with the bill, backed me into a corner. I have never had to give much thought to health care since. The next four arrivals, along with several unexpected problems, were taken care of.

I have not always been entirely satisfied with the arrangement. I have grumbled, as the monthly premium bill arrived, complained about the wait for routine appointments, and sometimes disagreed with suggested practices. I have not lost much sleep over the whole subject. Two of our five children have remained in the plan we started with. Three have found other plans, and seem satisfied. It is easy to float through life when you don't run into any waves and the fog horns are in the distance.

We do not live in a vacuum. Through the years, I have been vaguely aware of the sound of horns growing louder. Not for me, but for others I met along the way. Then came retirement. While it was adequate, our finances were diminished. At the same time, so was our nice cushion. It was not a big deal, but the drain continued to grow. Listening to others, I realized we were not alone, and far better off than many.

The companies once willing to offer employee benefits have become disenchanted. They hire temporary help to avoid paying benefits. They quibble over contracts in an effort to lower the cost of care. Many people are now being left with nowhere to go. So they go to emergency rooms, where the law requires they be cared for. That doubles the cost to all of us. Someone has got to pay the bill. It's a problem that is not going to go away. Can we afford to have a nation of sick people, with no recourse?

Relatives north of the border tell conflicting stories about their own experiences. Some are bad. Some are very good. During our RVing days we noticed Canadians seemed to have more loose change and nicer rigs. It made us wonder if they were on to something.

I don't have an answer. I do know that about a third of my husband's pension is now going to my own health care system. Add the multiple taxes to help take care of those who have none, and it is much higher than it looks.

We have a problem. One way or another, it affects all of us. I think the time has come to seek a solution.

John Donne said it best. No man (or woman) is an island.