American Heartburn

I hope the social media Thought Police don't snag me for posting nudity. 

Though this would have to be some very perverted version of prurience. Of course the bots and AI are not very discerning, as I've been thrown in Facebook and LinkedIn jail more times than I care to consider. Mostly for my political stands and not any noodies.

Nevertheless I'm taking my chances because many readers of this blog, all 9 of them, are coming up on Medicare eligibility. Not that I'm any kind of expert in the matter, but I have successfully navigated the online applications, the myriad choices and the disappointing realization that Medicare is not FREE. Not by a long shot.

Nevertheless, I am happy to be on it. I love walking into my GP's office and never having to deal with the paperwork -- which could very well be the most painful element of healthcare in America. Same with the Orthopedic people at UCLA. And my Pain Management Doctor, who will grudgingly prescribe some new wonder opioid-like drug that makes cycling and swimming a joy.

However, me being happy doesn't make for a good, or interesting blog, so let's get to the kvetching.

More specifically, let's talk about the weaponization of healthcare. You see you may be under the impression that once you receive your Medicare card you have the equivalent of a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket. I'm here to tell you that you don't. 

It's not all cherries and chocolate sauce.

Let's say you're seeing straight lines on door frames or windows and they start looking a little wavy. Your doctor recommends an Eye Specialist who can detect macular degeneration. At that point you can start waving goodbye to those hard earned Franklins, because unless you've signed up for Medicare Plan ZXKG, and paying an additional healthy premium, you're getting stuck with the bill. 

You see the genii in our government, the ones who have no problem shelling out thousands of dollars for gold plated toilet paper holders at the Pentagon, have dissected the human body and instituted an A La Carte plan to extract the most money they can from the American Taxpayer.

It doesn't stop there. 

Need a Root Canal? You're paying for it.

Need hearing aids? You're paying for it.

Need a chiropractor? You're paying for it.

Unless you're one of the 535 people elected to Congress, who pay diddly squat for their "gold standard" health coverage. And they get it for life. 

Which is a blessing for Marjorie Taylor Green who suffers from terminal brain rot but is receiving round the clock treatment. Though, to no avail. And all paid for by and I.

Maybe this will all be addressed. Maybe there's an alternative program out there. Maybe President Trump, who, having solved 13 or 14 wars, will unveil his Big, Beautiful Healthcare Plan.

We'll see in two weeks.