David Norlin for HD71

Neighborhood Talks Door to Door

While we don’t have space on this website for the 3000-plus folks I’ve talked to, a sampling can give you a feel for what I am hearing. Janet Hanson, a mother and school nurse, has taken an active interest in the local and national situation, and sees the need for more open-mindedness on the part of all citizens. “We are facing what is obviously a critical situation in this country and in Kansas,” she said, “and if we don’t use our free opportunities to first get valid information and second, vote and act accordingly, we may not be able to call ourselves a democracy much longer.” Janet and her family are very active in school, church, and other pursuits.

Mike Farmer just appreciates being listened to, which, in his experience, does not happen often. “David has the ability to listen which in this day of ‘politicians’ is rare,” says Mike. “What impresses me most is he really wants to know what you and I think should be done to improve the states ability to work for all of us.” I am most appreciative of Mike’s kind comments, and I do attempt to really listen, whether it’s about having your retirement stolen from beneath you or wanting to provide a strong parenting model without risking allegations of child abuse, two conversations from my last day’s door-to-door talks.

Jane Driver feels keenly the growing stress on senior citizens’ pocketbooks. She tells of the many challenges seniors face, including availability of drugs for maladies that may not be a concern for younger folks, but are almost a requirement for elder citizens who are more likely to need medications in everyday life. “Just consider the cost of insurance alone,” she says. “It’s about $400 a month. By the time you figure medicare, then a Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medicare supplement policy, and finally the new Part D drug coverage most seniors have, that’s about the total. And if you have any major medications through part D and you reach the donut hole where they don’t pay till you reach a higher amount, you are talking thousands out of pocket.” A local pharmacist confirms that the great majority of folks on part D hit the “donut hole” about half-way through the year, leaving them responsible for high drug costs. Many don’t get out of the hole at all during the rest of the year.

While I am keeping the identity of this person from public view, one young woman, a single mother with a young son, had specific concerns about health insurance. “I was working at an $8/hr job where the employer offered insurance that would have cost me about half my salary. I couldn’t do it. Then I got a better job where my employer would pay for part of my insurance. When I applied, the insurance company refused to cover me because of a pre-existing condition. What was it? I had had a gall bladder operation, and I was not “eligible” because of that. I have been saving, enough (with the help of the housing authority, which she appreciated) to buy this house. So I am making progress. But I cannot get health insurance. This just doesn’t make sense.” I agree. There needs to be some state action to move insurance companies to set reasonable and measurable standards for pre-existing conditions. The president of the umbrella organization for those companies promised in an August 19 news conference to do away with pre-existing conditions for states that could not cover all their citizens. The KS health policy authority has not been contacted to fulfill this promise. This young lady is right. Something needs to be done.