THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601050019
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
Daniel M. Serik's ``Federal retirees shouldn't cry'' (letter, Dec. 20) is far off base.
I am a federal retiree who served in the U.S. Army for 24 years. I was promised free health care for life for having served my country. My country went back on its promise to me.
I am 69 and I cannot get into a military hospital. I am told to go to a civilian doctor and civilian hospital under Medicare.
Medicare pays 75 percent or less of the doctor and hospital bills. Counting my Medicare and Medicare-supplement insurance premiums, I pay $373 a month for myself and wife for health insurance. This takes a large chunk of my retired pay. I did not plan on having to pay for this insurance because I was promised free care if I served my country for 20 or more years.
Mr. Serik stated, ``Let's not forget that I did not and not many people actually do work for the government after retirement.'' Free medical care for life for serving my country! You bet I am bitter!
Elmer H. Fetter's ``Let's not worry about $4 a month'' (letter, Dec. 20) is also way off base. The $4 per month increase in the Medicare premiums within itself would not be so bad if that were all there was to it. Who does Mr. Fetter think will pay for the lesser amounts Medicare will pay doctors and hospitals under the Republican proposals? You will; we will.
I recently received notice of a $40-a-month increase in my supplemental-insurance premiums because of the projected Republican Medicare changes. People need to wise up, get informed and understand the details of a subject before they come to a conclusion.
EDSEL E. DOTSON
Harbinger, N.C., Dec. 24, 1995 by CNB