Two studies released this month, one from the Kaiser Family Foundation and another published by Health Affairs and discussed reported here, demonstrate that even with Medicare, seniors are still struggling to afford health care.
More than half of senior—53%—who have serious illnesses have difficulty paying medical bills, with prescription drugs being the biggest affordability problem, with hospital bills, ambulance rides, and emergency room visits also major costs. KFF found that the average out-of-pocket spending for seniors in 2016 was $5,460 annually, including Medicare premiums. Women paid more than men out of pocket ($5,748 version $5,104) and older and sicker seniors with chronic conditions or hospitalizations paid much more; "beneficiaries with at least one inpatient stay in 2016 spent $7,613 out of pocket, on average, compared to $5,044 among those without an inpatient stay."
"It points to a real issue that has gone under the radar," Tricia Neuman, a Medicare expert with the KFF said. "Survey after survey shows that people are satisfied with Medicare, but this analysis shows that people with Medicare who have serious health problems can face very high out-of-pocket costs, and that's an issue that hasn't gotten much attention." The financial burden becomes a stress factor, and 45% reported that their medical costs were causing emotional and psychological distress and were a major burden on their families.
One solution is allowing Medicare to directly negotiate drug prices, something Veterans Affairs is allowed to do. That's not going to happen with Mitch McConnell in charge of the Senate.