Again using my family as an example, simply because it is an absolutely typical scenerio. It could be almost anyone's story.

My parents both have Medicare and Medicare supplement policies. I'm guessing their retirement income is about $33,000 per year. Mom is 79. Dad is 83. Dad was able to work until early last fall to significantly supplement their retirement income, but had to finally stop for health reasons. At the same time, the downturn in the stock market has had significant impact on their retirement investments.

They each pay about $120 per month for the Medicare part B and D premiums. Mom pays about $300 per month for her Medicare supplement policy. Dad pays less because he can get some of his health care at the VA hospital. Mom had cardiac by-pass surgery a few years ago and has severe hypertension. Her medications cost $700 per month. They have just enough income to hit that Part D wall in prescription drug coverage along about July each year, so Mom's medications will have to be paid out of pocket for several months.

Dad needed a lift chair as he has great difficulty getting into a standing position. They bought one and are scrambling to get it paid for before Mom has to start paying for her prescriptions out of pocket.

There is now a shingle vacine out, and it is strongly recommended that elderly folks get the vacination. The vacine is expensive and medicare does not cover it. Having seen what my grandmother went through with shingles, Mom and Dad decided to get the vacine this spring. Dad, who suffers from debilitating chronic pain, is followed at the pain clinic where he gets epidurals for both hips and radio wave treatment for his neck. His back is beyond help. Most of the cost has to be paid out of pocket. He has delayed his next scheduled appointments at the pain clinic by 2 months for them to be able to pay for the shingles vaccine.

This is wrong. And it is a story that is told in more households of retirees than not in this country.