OpEdNews » A Cruel Christmas by Carol Wolman, MD

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December 23, 2005 at 23:53:43

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A Cruel Christmas by Carol Wolman, MD

by Carol Wolman Page 1 of 1 page(s)

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I have a large practice, with many patients who are elderly or on disability, and who rely on a check of about $800/month to survive. Rent takes at least half of this. People on SSI do not receive food stamps, so their survival is marginal, and they are $100/month away from homelessness. Their medical expenses and necessary pharmaceutical drugs are covered by MediCare and MediCal.

The US government magnanimously awarded a raise of $10/month to SSI recipients, and here in California, Gov. Ahnold quickly deducted the same amount from the state's portion of the payment, even though the CA state treasury is now in the black. So these disabled people do not get their cost-of-living increase.

About two weeks ago, MediCare notified its beneficiaries and pharmacies, but not physicians, that patients would have to cough up a co-pay for their drugs, and some would no longer be covered. This set off a panic among this population.

Yesterday, 3 days before Christmas, NPR announced that as of January 1st, due to the MediCal cuts in the Federal budget- MediCal no longer will cover prescription drugs. This means that many of my patients may have to pay several hundred dollars per month to keep taking life-saving medications. They will no longer be able to afford rent. Of course, these budget cuts go to subsidize tax cuts for the rich!

Merry Christmas! Judgment will surely descend on this wicked land! If only Jesus would truly soften the hearts of the legislators toward the poor and elderly!

Malachi 3: 23-24Lo, I will send you
Elijah, the prophet,
Before the day of the LORD comes,
the great and terrible day,
To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike
the land with doom.

In the name of the Prince of Peace, Carol Wolman, MD

Carol S. Wolman, MD is a psychiatrist in Northern California. A lifelong peace activist, she is helping to distribute a Peace Plan for the Holy Land- email her for a copy. As the Green candidate for Congress in California District 1 in '08, she (more...)

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4 comments

Mike Mischak

Reap what you sow..

Although this sounds cruel, I hope those who voted for Bush and his corrupt republican administration are the first to feel the pain. You reap what you sow!

by Mike Mischak (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Saturday, Dec 24, 2005 at 10:44:55 AM

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Bambic

One of the Victims...

...is me. Although I turned 50 last summer, I have been "surviving" on my disability payments since I herniated several discs in my lower back when I was in my 20's. So I'd first like to thank you for acknowledging the fact that those of us who depend on Medicare, MediCal (Medicaid, here in Arkansas) are not all over 65. And according to a letter I recently received, my prescription drug coverage will now be "provided by Prescription Solutions from PacifiCare". Was I given a choice in this? No. At the bottom of the page they explain they "contract with the Federal Government". So I am left feeling confused and controlled and why has this been allowed to happen? I don't get close to $800 a month here in this broke-ass state: my Disability check is $475 and my SSI (Supplemental Security Income)is $124. I would dare any of you to try to live on that, though, yes, the cost of living here is cheaper:my rent on my "mobile home",i.e., old trailer is $260, but then there's still ever-increasing utility bills which I have to juggle and then plead with them that they do not disconnect me... Life in these United States sucks for people like me.

by Bambic (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 17 comments) on Saturday, Dec 24, 2005 at 11:15:18 AM

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SAY IT AIN'T SO

We are not alone

The same actions are being directed toward the US veterans. Even the VA is feeling the crush as money earn is not being given so the rich can get richer. SAY IT AIN'T SO!

by SAY IT AIN'T SO (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Saturday, Dec 24, 2005 at 6:41:06 PM

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Dom Jermano

But anyway Merry Christmas!

Another God Bless America Carol? Best to get to the Church and start handing around baskets, or line up the coffins. Life in that arrogant country called America is really a pity. America means: Ammo morons elect republican inept christian assassins.

by Dom Jermano (20 articles, 0 quicklinks, 40 diaries, 930 comments) on Sunday, Dec 25, 2005 at 6:35:02 AM

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