We the Elderly People

The quote “government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this earth” was said by Abe Lincoln in his Gettysburg address in 1863.

What has happened to government “for the people” now?

I think government “for the people” has been lost when insurance companies can do exactly what they want regardless of any effects or repercussions on others. Their greed and control has drowned the “we the people.” Insurance companies have reaped huge profits by taking from “we the people,” especially elderly people on fixed incomes, their precious money that they have frugally saved.

My primary health insurance is Medicare and secondary insurance is now Blue Shield through Santa Barbara County Retirement Plan. The county chose the best plan that was available. Most other plans were even more costly than this one.

The cost to me for Blue Shield in 2008 and Aetna in 2009 for a PPO high-deductible insurance was $200.80 each month. Now Blue Shield with the same insurance coverage is $350.37 a month. More funds now go to insurance payment than for me to live on. Shame on you, insurance companies!

I’m angry and I’m not part of any Tea Party movement. My concern is: how can seniors like me, on fixed incomes, survive this monetary rape? Please, please, “We the People,” let’s stand up and fight. — Danel Trevor, Carpinteria