Medicare: What people should know

To the editor:

I moved up here the end of 2006. I had a Medicare Advantage Plan. Doctors didn’t want to take this plan, but I finally found one who did.

On Jan. 1, 2010, all Medicare Advantage Plans left the state of Alaska. This threw all seniors on Medicare. In November 2010, Providence Medical Center on Bogard Road said it was no longer taking new Medicare patients. The reason was probably because Medicare pays such a small amount. My doctor left Providence because she thought this was wrong and opened her own office.

Now the Republicans are going to slash Medicare. How many private practice doctors will be able to keep Medicare patients? Seniors could end up with no doctors. Then what? Where do we go?

Out of my Social Security Disability of $723.40, they take out $96.40 for Medicare, plus $60 for Medicare Part D, which leaves $567. My rent is $533, which is subsidized by Alaska Housing. This leaves $34.

If I didn’t have a small disability pension, where would I be? It pays all utilities and food. So, cut Medicare, cut Alaska Housing money because it’s on the chopping block too, so where do I go? Do we end up with seniors homeless? That’s a good possibility!

So, Republicans, give us an answer to where do we go?

Can you give me an answer, Sen. Murkowski? I crossed party lines to write your name in to block Joe Miller because we know you. My party isn’t exactly pleased with me.

I had neck surgery Oct. 8, 2010. After Medicare paid, it leaves me with $1,100 to pay, which I am paying off at $275 a month. The last payment will be this month. We also pay an amount set by Medicare that is our share of doctor’s appointments, X-rays, MRIs, blood tests, etc.

God help people on Medicare!

Linda DuMond

Wasilla