For cancer survivors, Medicare was not only good, but also a lifesaver.
When I read the headline of Abdallah Fayyad’s March 21 editorial, “Does anyone really like my medical plan?” — I enthusiastically raised my hand and answered “yes”. I have been a breast cancer survivor for over 10 years. The reason I can write to you today is because I was in Medicare when my cancer was diagnosed.
Medicare paid for my annual mammogram and MRI, the surgeon, and all the oncology staff who support me and continue to monitor my health. If my cancer had developed a few years ago and I couldn’t afford a mammogram or MRI, my cancer could grow undetected and eventually kill me. ..
We thank Parliamentarians, Bill Keating, and Cape Congressman for supporting both the national and state-wide versions of universal health insurance. Health insurance is not important. What is important is the “care” of Medicare for All, that is, universal health insurance.
I hope Fayyad will investigate the laws pending in Congress and Beacon Hill and write another editorial that informs us of the benefits of a medical system that covers all of us.
Bessie Smith
Brewster
Cost-access conflicts are distracting — health benefits should focus on value
The basic question we need to ask is whether the benefits offered are consistent with all stakeholders in the continuum, including patients, providers, employers, and truly provide value. ..
Our health policy discussions have always focused on choosing between cost and access. This dichotomy has been popularized by insurance companies, but employers have been forced to buy it, and it was easy for our government (both parties) to accept it. This flawed dichotomy did not improve cost or health outcomes, but it created a weak experience for the end consumer. We need to overcome this dichotomy and promote a healthcare benefit conversation based on value.
Years of consumer research have provided recipes to improve it. Comprehensive coverage of core wellness and preventive care services. Reliable response to catastrophic coverage needs to prevent medical care from causing bankruptcy. And all competent handling in the meantime.
We need to focus on simplifying the system. Employers who bear about 80% of domestic commercial health insurance needs to speak out more about this.
Karthik Ganesh
CEO
EmpiRx Health
Montvale, NJ
EmpiRx Health specializes in managing pharmacy benefits.
