For those of you who may not know this, Johnnie and I both receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). We each had to go through the process of proving we are disabled and unable to work. During our working years, part of our income was diverted and accumulated by our Federal Government, in order to ensure we had saved some money for our future retirement. I receive my SSDI on the 4th Wednesday each month, directly into my saving account. The deposit totals $1023 dollars per month. John receives a bit more into our checking account on the 3rd of each month. That's our total taxable income each month.
I'm also a service-connected, disabled veteran. After many forms, hearings, appeals and frustration, I was granted 100% service-connection in December of 2004. As a married veteran with a spouse, my monthly income is $2973. This is non-taxable income. This includes complete medical care, if I go to the local VA medical center for my care. I do go to the VA for my yearly pap exam, but I don't go for my neurological care. I'd have to travel to Saint Louis to receive that care, and that's just too far to go.
We are both on Medicare. This is provided through Arkansas Blue Cross, and the premium of our coverage is taken from our SSDI directly by Blue Cross each month (before we receive our deposit each month). When we each became "eligible" for SSDI, we became "eligible" for Medicare. And we each had to pick our "provider". So, like everyone else who has medical insurance there are co-payments, eligibility forms, in network providers. It's all very confusing.
Our son Joshua moved here to Arkansas to be with us and help us out. We are two older people, with chronic health problems. Josh decided to do this, and we really appreciate it!
So, we made sure that Josh has health insurance too. And we got him coverage with Arkansas Blue Cross. We pay for this health insurance each month, and we're glad he hasn't had any health issues that required medical care. He's a health young man.
Because our government wants to make sure we all have the insurance we need, we are also required to have automobile insurance. This is required in order to register your car. We have our car insurance with Nationwide.
And, if you buy a home and need a loan in order to make that purchase; you most likely were required to secure home owners insurance. Our home owner's insurance is with Shelter Insurance. Shelter is the only company that will ensure a log home (at least in our area).
So when I look at our monthly budget, the largest expense we have IS INSURANCE!
Almost $800 dollars a month of our income (not counting the Medicare taken directly from our SSDI)! And that's $800 dollars we are required by our government to spend. And who knows how much this will increase with the new "Health Insurance" plan that our dear leaders are forcing upon us.
One of our friends is impacted by the current government shutdown. His job has been deemed as "non-essential". He has been forced to NOT work, and will have NO income until our elected officials can stop arguing like children and figure out how to overspend our tax money.
Does our government care that people can't afford to spend so much money on insurance? Do they care that people can't afford to NOT WORK? And if this shut down continues, when will MY family have NO INCOME because some one else will not be allowed to do their job? When will Social Security and VA benefits become "non-essential"?
This whole situation disgusts me! I have to live on a fixed income. Granted, my income isn't low. I admit that. But it is fixed. I have to have a balanced monthly and yearly budget. Our government should also. As a society, we can't continue to spend money we don't have. Otherwise, none of us will have a future. No job, no income, no future.
That is a very bleak vision. Sadly, I think it's correct.
