Gridlock in Washington, D.C.

 Broken Washington Politics Matters: It's About You

By Mildred Robertson

Sometimes we wonder whether what is going on in Washington D.C. has any real impact on our lives. I have all but tuned out on the debate on President Biden’s “Build Back Better” campaign.  The endless wrangling over the hard infrastructure package, and the contentious $3.5 trillion soft infrastructure package proposed by Democrats seem to be unending and unfruitful. As politicians debate about the various components of that package, such as healthcare, Medicare and Medicaid, many of us think, I am doing okay. I can afford my medications and doctor’s visits. The fact is, you do not know how broken the system is, until it breaks in YOUR life.

This past weekend, I spent time looking through old photographs. Needless to say, I am twice the woman I was back in my youth; both figuratively and literally. I, like many other women my age, have gained a lot of weight over the years. While I have struggled with diet, exercise, intermittent fasting and other purported remedies in an attempt to bring my weight down to a healthy level, nothing seems to work.  So I finally went to a nutritionist, and working with her I discovered that my problem is likely insulin resistance.

I felt really good to know that my weight gain was not just a matter of lack of control or exercise regimen. And, thank God, there was an injection that could help address the problem. So, they gave me samples of Wegovy, a medication that could help break my insulin resistance, and allow the other tactics I was using for weight-loss to work. They gave me two samples of the once-weekly dose, and I was on my new journey to a healthier body…I thought.

It turns out the medication is REALLY hard to keep stocked, and it is REALLY expensive. The Nutrition Center had a $25 coupon distributed by the manufacturer to make it accessible to patients. My pharmacy, however, told me they’d been trying, unsuccessfully, to get Wegovy in stock.  But that wasn’t all. The medication is not covered by Medicare, and the coupon cannot be used by Medicare patients. Understand, that with just two doses, I had begun to see results, and I was elated. You see, I am pre-diabetic, trying not to go to the next level. So it’s not vanity that motivates me, but health concerns. You must also understand that without insurance, the medication could cost as much as $1000/month.

So, there is a medication available that could help me achieve the weight loss I need in order to avoid diabetes and live a healthier life. But I can’t access it because America’s broken health-care system has allowed capitalism to dictate healthcare.

I do not purport to understand the mechanizations surrounding pharmaceutical prices, insurance and government regulation.  But I do know that people should not be denied needed healthcare due to the lack of wealth.  I do believe that Medicare should be allowed to negotiate fair prices for life-enhancing, life-sustaining drugs.

So this battle raging in Washington D.C. about President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan will have a direct effect on MY life. I’m certain there is something in the plan that will directly affect your life as well.

If Democrats are successful in crafting a bill that will address run-away healthcare costs, I might be able to get and afford a medication that can positively affect my health and well-being. Their plan may result in better roads and highways in your community. Perhaps you’ll see higher paying jobs in your area, or more kids will gain access to higher education. 

So as difficult as it is to see endless news talk shows drone on about the battle in Washington, it really is relevant to each of us on an individual level. We must stay tuned in. And, if Washington D.C. does not deliver, we need to proactively seek representation that will give us results. We must make our voices heard. It really is all about us.