Something is terribly wrong with the health care system in the United States. When the pharmaceutical companies can basically set extremely high prices on their products knowing that people with no insurance or very little insurance could not afford the drugs that are prescribed to them by their doctors. The CEOs of these pharmaceutical companies will tell us that so much money has been spent in research and development of these drugs that the only way they can recoup costs is to put the prices that they are on the drugs.
Now on the other hand we have the insurance companies. they will sit in their multi-billion-dollar skyscrapers and say all we need to up your premium to keep up with our operating costs all and let away your policy premiums going up to help us, all did I mention you cope is going up because the pharmaceutical colonies are charging so much that we have to increase both your premiums and co-pays because it’s costing us too much money.
Then you have those of us who the insurance companies do not want to ensure. I am one lucky ones in that I’m self-employed and can afford a small group policy, oh did I say that I could afford it. Guess what in 2008 and my health insurance is over 50% of my monthly income. Did I mention that some of my drug co-pay is $50 a month, some as 35 a month and fortunately my generics are free. Now that doesn’t sound too bad does it. Okay so lets say I can no longer afford insurance one of my medications without insurance would cost me $1700 a month and that is for two yes two shots, these shots are Humira.
So you ask what is Humira? “Humira (Humera) is a TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-blocker. It works by blocking a protein (TNF-alpha) found in the body's immune system that causes joint swelling and inflammation.
Humira (Humera) is used to reduce the symptoms, prevent bone damage, and improving physical function in patients with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not had a good response to other arthritis medicines. It can be used alone or with other medicines.” from http://www.drugs.com/
My question for the pharmaceutical and health insurance companies at is this, do you think that people in my position should have affordable health insurance and prescription co-pays so we can remain productive members of society? Or would they be happy if we lost our insurance lost their jobs and he came crippled and apply for medical disability and basically become a burden to every working able bodied member of the United States.
I am very encouraged by the change in administration of this country, especially by the nomination of Tom Daschle as secretary of health and human services. Perhaps this country will finely bring true reform to the healthcare industry.
