Health insurance is a touchy subject for me - for seniors I think it’s safe to say we are looking to have affordable rates or at least nearly the same each year- not huge increases.I’m on a managed Medicare plan - my health insurance cost went up $100 per month! That’s one person. I thought the state was going to save us money when the decision was made to switch to a self-insured program a couple of years ago.The first article I read in the East Valley Tribune, Jan. 13, page A6 gives a clear picture of the new health insurance plan suggested from the Governor’s Office. (there’s also been more recent articles) It sounds good in general to protect our kids free of cost - but I can see that with the new $60,000 as the ceiling (300% of the federal poverty level) for a family of four up from $40,000, that it would be natural for parents to not cover their children and receive free health care. That would mean more money each month to spend on their family - even if they were fairly comfortable before, why pay if you don’t have to.With the surprise of a 100% increase monthly from my monthly pension - it would be very difficult for seniors on a fixed income needing the coverage even more to have an increase in order to subsidize children’s healthcare. I’m certainly for kids - but I’m also for our senior population who usually have declining health care needs and need even more assistance. When I called the state office to find out what happened in my case, I was told I could save money if I dropped down to a plan with lesser benefits. I didn’t want to do that - if anything, I need more coverage and appreciate what I do have - but $1200 more a year? That’s scary!I can’t say that I favor the proposed new plan - I don’t even have friends with a family of four that make $60,000. It seems it would be a real stretch to see this work. A good idea but probably not practical or effective - in my opinion. I see it causing more of a burden on the population as a whole than helping.Talk to your legislator so that person can help you on this issue, I did - Representative Kirk Adams. I think it’s important in times like this to talk to those that represent us.
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