Health Care concerns

Morning,
I just read a very disturbing article (see http://www.seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d067cc6d0ccaab6e) about the healthcare concerns of aging boomers and seniors. The article also stated the following about the current administration's agenda to cut senior "entitlement" funds:
"It appears likely that the Bush administration will now put on a full-court-press to pass their proposed $560 Billion cut in Medicare benefits for current and about-to-become Medicare recipients during the next 10 years."

The article continues with data about the fact that "half of the Boomers will have arthritis; nearly 25-percent of them will have diabetes; over half will have more than one chronic condition; and … surprise … they’ll generally be overweight with a third being classified as obese." And then, the writer raises the question of who will care for us as we age? He further states that most of us have worked our entire lives with the expectation that there will be funds to rely on at the point in time that we turn 65.

Now, please know that I am NOT an alarmist. I tend to not over-react. Much can happen between now and a budget bill. And, with a change in administration, issues can be reversed. I do expect that because I'm close to 65, I'll still have access to medical cost help. Will the younger boomers or even the next generation? Now, that's another question.

I write this as a concerned boomer. I have worked since I'm 16 -- first as a teacher, then a social worker, a college professor. Then , for the past 20+ years for myself -- but still paying my taxes, etc. I've done good work and helped many along the way. I consider myself a valuable member of society. I've never made a fortune, but have always gotten by just fine.

I can tell you one thing though -- in the past 6 years since being divorced, and therefore needing individual health insurance ... I've had a hell of a time getting decent health insurance. I've paid obscene amounts of money for awful plans.
If you read my previous post, you'll see that I had knee surgery this week. Now, I must admit I have a good plan now.... but that's because I have a partner and am not a sole practitioner anymore. That helps. My knee surgery will swallow my $2000.00 deductible, but should cover everything beyond that. Not bad. If, however, I'd had my previous plan, it would have cost me a $5000.00 deductible. That would have hurt a lot. And, I'm one of the 50% of boomers who also has arthritis -- so who knows what the future holds. I'm working on losing weight (need to lose about 20 pounds), eating better to be healthy, will resume a work-out schedule when the knee heals. But, I'm not so naive to think I won't have a health issue or two as I continue to age. Will I have help paying for it? Who knows. Is that fair? Who knows?

All of the presidential candidates and the administration (all boomers, by the way) have no worries. They have the best health insurance available. John McCain is 71. I'm sure he supplements his government income with social security and I'm sure that medicare has helped pay for the melanoma and other conditions. Lucky guy. But, what about the rest of us?

POINT: Is there anything we can do, as a collective body of aging people, to alter the future of healthcare? Why aren't we marching in the streets to advocate for our needs? Can we be rallied? LET ME HEAR YOUR IDEAS!


I'm pretty angry. Are you?
Thanks,
Ann

Baby Boomers - It's Not Our Fault

Good morning,
Each morning I get a google notice about new articles about baby boomers. It helps me keep my thumb on the pulse of "all things boomer."
This morning, I was reading an article and they stated the following:
"Some economic forecasters say: The Baby Boomers are about to be Budget Busters." I had a visceral response to that. It almost sounded like "blaming the victim."
Yes, it's true -- there are so many of us AND many of us are or will be retiring soon, are or will be collecting our social security soon and YES, that will put a strain on corporate budgets and the federal government. But, they make it sound like we are being greedy. That's so wrong.
First, WE are not responsible for our births. Our parents had sex (starting right after the big War), didn't use birth control and hence, we were born. I didn't ask to be born. I came from them and their choices. People in that era had an amazing number of children.
We, the boomer generation of children, grew up to be hard, diligent workers and we've been successful. We've paid into our retirement funds; we've paid into social security. We are now entitled. Period. End of story.

So, why is the media and the government trying to make us almost feel guilty for breaking the bank? Perhaps it has more to do with the poor planning for this massive retirement. Did they pay enough attention to what was coming? I think not.

The same thing is happening in corporations and other workplaces all over the country. They are in denial of how the huge flight of the boomers will impact their workplace. The boomers, being the knowledge-bearers of their industry will be leaving in droves. The Generation Xers, although very smart, will be floundering to keep things afloat ... minus the history and understanding of longevity.

Well, it's time for everyone to get their head out of the sand AND be realistic about the future. Find solutions -- don't complain.

I'm a person who is insistent about taking 100% responsibility for my life and my actions. I rarely blame others (okay, occasionally, because I'm human). Some "woo woo" new-age folks would say that I'm responsible for bringing myself into the world. Maybe. But, for the most part, that was my parents decision. I can't help being the age I am, any more than a person of color or a person of height can be responsible for who they showed up as.

I invite your comments here. How do we encourage our country and our corporations to be long-sighted and to start planning to deal with the realities that the boomer generation impact?
I have my thoughts. I'll roll them out as we go along.
As for the workplace denial, I have a FREE special report at www.itsboomertime.com/reports.php

Point: We are who we are. Accept it. Don't expect a free ride ... but by all means know what you are entitled to. Don't let anyone bully you.
Namaste,
Ann