Medicare Reform

It is always difficult for me to truly define my opinion when it comes to healthcare. I have very conflicting feelings on the topic. Although throughout the centuries it has become apparent that society and government feel that healthcare is a right, I definitely struggle with whether or not I think it is a right. Of course I do not want to see people suffer needlessly because they do not have the monetary resources to access quality healthcare, yet I don't necessarily think it is appropriate for hardworking citizens to carry the burden of individuals who milk the system.

There in lies my constant dilemma of differing opinions within myself. According to Robinson & Kish (2001) this has been a continuing debate for the government as well not just my personal struggle. (Who would have thought?) Who deserves healthcare and what level do they deserve? This is what the evolution of healthcare has revolved around. I doubt there will ever really be a definite answer or solution that will put an end to the constant reform, and given the ever changing societal needs I believe this is a good thing. I don't think as a country we should ever stop questioning our methods or we would all suffer from the stagnation. Given this I feel that the reform regarding Medicare is a necessity at this point in time. People aged 65 and older were reported to have increased to 35.0 million making up 12.4 percent of the United States population in the year 2000 (U. S. Census Bureau, 2000).

Our nation's elderly population is at an all time high and right now that is the cohort who needs the financial help. I do agree that with increased costs of prescriptions it is appropriate for some financial assistance to be granted. There are now discount drug cards that are being offered to those eligible for Medicare in order to help them save money on their outpatient prescription drugs (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2004). Even though some of the individuals who may benefit from these changes may not have contributed to society as significantly as they could have I don't think I can whole heartedly disagree with these discount cards. Will I have to indirectly pay for these costs as a tax payer I suppose so, but years from now will someone I care about who has worked hard all of their life benefit from this change? I hope so.References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2004). Introducing new Medicare-approved

drug discount cards. Retrieved 13/03/2005, from

http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11060.pdf.

Robinson, D. & Kish C.P. (2001). Core Concepts in Advanced Practice Nursing. St.

Louis, Mosby.

United States Census Bureau. (2000). We the people: Aging in the United States.

Retrieved 13/03/2005, from http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/censr-19.pdf.