The Medicine Program

I have End Stage Renal Disease since birth. In order to pay for my dialysis and future transplant, I need to be on Medicare and Medicaid. I now have Medicare D for my prescriptions. I have hunted around to find a service provider that will cover at least the majority of my medications but have no luck so far. Most of my medications are mandatory and specialty medications. These, I have been finding, out are not covered by most Medicare D companies. I end up paying out of pocket each month an average of $100. This does not include co-payments for the “covered” drugs. Medicaid in my state will not cover the costs of uncovered medications. Due to my disability, I am low income. If it weren’t for my family I would not receive my medications some months. Medicare D really needs to be improved or cancelled in my opinion.

Erik A., Illinois

I am a 21-year-old girl. I work as a hairdresser and do not receive medical benefits. Recently I have been going through therapy, which is very expensive, not to mention the $100 prescription I have once a month. The moral of my story is that I looked to my family for financial help and of course, they were there to help me out. They are always here for me no matter what!

Kara L., CT

Every year it gets harder and harder to make ends meet while covering medical bills. We have health insurance; but the deductibles, procedures not covered and prescriptions not covered grow every year. My husband is on temporary disability, and it is hard to get by with just one paycheck.

McClure, J., North Carolina

I have no insurance at this time but am suffering from insomnia. I need some help to get sleep, so I made an appointment with the local health clinic. They called and rescheduled my appointment for another month later and again, another month with little sleep. They then tried to pull that one again but I protested loudly and got in 2 weeks later, The doctor said that my insomnia was stress related (YEAHH?!) and proceeded to make an appointment for me to see a psychiatrist in another 45 days. Again, no sleep. I am currently self-medicating with Melatonin. It does seem to help. I take two pills and they take effect 20 minutes after ingestion.

Cheryl J., Illinois

I was feeling just fine, well, as well as an Asthma patient can. And I had sat down to watch the news for about 30 minutes and I leaned back in my chair and my heart started to palpitate. Then it began to race. I told my husband I needed to lie down, so off I went. I lay there hurting and scared and I told my husband there is something wrong. I should have gone to the hospital, but I tolerate pain so well that I pushed on through Sunday, until I finally said, ok, I need to go to the Doctor. I was in the doctors office all week and I learned that my trigs are 313, my sugar is out of control, my Asthma is out of control, so my life is about to change with all the foods and drinks and exercise I am about to do it is all about to change. I want to live.

Karen R. Carrollton Georgia