Walking Dead

If you’ve ever been in a nursing home you know what I am talking about…

People are living longer, not necessarily because we’re healthier, but because we’re medicated.  And we don’t do a good job of handling the aging population, especially if you’ve aged out of usefulness.

We stick you in a two twin bed room with a curtain between for privacy.  We give you a toilet and a sink to share (2-4 people), and a closet and a TV (usually to share).  We give you a cafeteria that transforms to a social room between meals.  The nicer of the facilities may have transportation to take you on a monthly date.

Room, Meals, Care will cost you absolutely no less than $6,000 month

I work full time in an above average salaried job and my monthly income is less than $6,000.

Fact is, we could do better.

Pharmaceutical companies should pay an annual stipend based on their profits for elder care; facilities and care providers.

•  A new drug has 10 years free of generic competition. I understand that companies need to re-coup and have a patent; and it’s decent that the patent expires allowing for more generic drugs to offset the cost to patients.  However, 10 years seems long given medicine is usually a life need rather than a luxury.  An elder care stipend seems a workable compromise. *IN NO WAY IS THIS A JUSTIFICATION TO HIGH PERSCRIPTION COSTS NOR SHOULD IT REPLACE OTHER METHODS OF REDUCING THE COST OF MEDICINE.
•  Research is usually (if not always) paid for by  grants, etc. / not profits.  Even if it wasn’t, the cost amounts to roughly $2.6 Billion (2017).  Seems like a lot until you consider the next bullet point
•  2016; the shared pharm companies in the United States valued over $446 Billion
• A healthier environment means a longer lifespan for elders on medications.  Not that I promote it but seems a win for the company’s investment.

This is not meant to punish pharm companies.  There is a shared and mutual collaboration within the medical field that is sorely lacking and it’s time for reform (which does not have to be socialization).  We’re better than knowing there is only one way to fix our healthcare problems.

And if you are dense enough to think, “that is what insurance is for”.  Here are some items to consider:

• Medicare only pays for skilled nursing for a minimal amount of time.  up to 20 days is 100% covered.  21 – 100 days it is covered less a state mandated amount (today that amount is $176 a day).  Day 101 + is not covered.
•  Medicaid will kick in coverage after all your other resources have been exhausted.  After you have liquidated all your assets and retirement funds. After you pay all of your monthly income, minus state mandated allowance (in Michigan $60 a month)
• Long Term Care insurance?  Be careful. Most standard policy have a maximum length of coverage.