Why We Need Medicare for All

This one hit a little too close for home

Yesterday, I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for my cranky pancreas.

Like most people waiting to have the checker ring up the total, I was mildly bored and fumbling for my wallet.

“That’ll be $392.03,” the cashier said quietly.

“What did you say?,” I said, unbelievingly, and froze instantly.

“Three hundred and ninety two dollars. And three cents.”

“Is that with insurance?,” I asked, panic starting to rise in my voice.

“Yes, it is.”

“Wait a sec, can we try my Kroger prescription discount card? I also have the Good RX discount card too,” I stammered, thumbing through my wallet to find the cards.

“Sure,” she said, and took the cards to run them through the system, even calling over the pharmacy team lead for help.

“Unfortunately, your insurance is giving you the best price,” she said, almost bracing for an outburst.

I felt sorry for her and any person behind the counter at pharmacies across the U.S.

What do people do when they find out their prescriptions are through the roof like this?

Many fume. Some despair. Some sadly walk away, desperately knowing that they cannot afford a life-altering medicine. Others pay for it, but then ration out portions only when they need it the most to avoid having to come back again next month by stretching out their supply.

I looked online later to find out that this particular prescription is regularly over a $1,000 a month without insurance.

So, in fact, what I was getting was a pretty good deal. But this is only for a one-month supply.

Like most people these days, money is tight, so I have to plan carefully how and when I use this medicine.

Americans don’t deserve difficult choices like this.

Every person should be able to go to preventative care.

If they have a health problem, they should be able to see doctors when they need to.

And medicine should be accessible to them financially without worrying about going into financial ruin or making the hard choice to go without.