How old you are and how rich you are is going to decide whether or not you call your representatives on this. 

I’m 64 and reasonably well off, but not rich. I know the costs of healthcare, including hospital services and also know the cost of nursing home services because I tended to my mother, and thank God she only needed a home for six weeks leading to her passing.

Jim and I took care of his folks, both with dementia and Alzheimer’s for 10 years, by keeping them in their home with the help of home healthcare that we paid for out of personal income. 

It was a herculean task. They had a little money and that helped.  After Jim’s dad died, his mother was moved to Texas where her daughter found a home that would take her. 

Texas had cheap homes. I felt sorry that Mom was gone but that was not my call. We also paid for the home out of pocket.

Now we have to ask ourselves, who will pay for us when we go to a home when our money is exhausted?  What if the current administration, or any administration, cuts Medicaid? 

Are we all prepared to move into our kids’ basements? Will our kids be burdened with the financial responsibility during their prime earning years? 

Ask your kids this now because lawmakers await your call. It’s up to you.

JILL MEUNICK

Edwardsburg