Since turning 65, I’ve used the medical system more than any time when younger.
Accidents mainly, but also for older age conditions that creep up and emergency procedures.
Paying into Medicare $185 monthly, most seniors pay this amount in 2025, from my Social Security to cover 80 percent of any medical bill. I also carry a supplemental insurance policy with a private company to cover the 20 percent that Medicare doesn’t pay.
Recently my insurance premium was raised by $20 monthly, hiking it to $267, even though it covers only one-fifth of the bill.
Why should seniors pay for insurance companies’ huge profits since they provide so little?
Since a citizen’s life is protected as an unalienable right by the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, medical care becomes a fundamental requirement.
When we’re healthy, we feel able and free.
I propose that seniors pay an extra $150 a month directly to Medicare, eliminating insurance companies from the mix.
Medicare doesn’t aspire to earn huge profits, though it should be required to stay in the black to safeguard coverage for our old-age wellness.
With this extra money, Medicare would be able to hire more employees to ensure reliability, competence, to fight fraud and pay doctors and hospitals better, thus helping to keep hospitals solvent and inspire doctors with expertise and Hippocratic values to treat Medicare patients.
A single-payer system will benefit seniors, providers and communities.
Gayle Brauner
Port Angeles