To the person in the “You Said It” column who said Medicare was affordable, I say that person is wrong.

I have $100-a-month taken out of my meager Social Security check for Medicare. Medicare pays less than 60 percent to 80 percent of costs for most doctors, hospitals, etc. And that’s only after you meet a deductible that takes you months to meet.

So, you have to buy Medigap insurance to cover what you would have to pay out of pocket after Medicare pays. My Medigap costs $125 a month. Even with that, I must pay $25 to see my doctor each time I go and $35 each time I see a specialist. On top of it, I must pay for most of my medications, like full price for my thyroid tablets, one-third to one-half for my other medications. I have yet to go in and pay less than $25 for a medication I need. I have to pay $55 a month for the medication I need for osteoporosis.

So please do not tell me about my getting affordable government insurance. Read between the lines and become knowledgeable before you form an opinion or write one.

Judith A. Johnston
Grand Junction

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