An open letter to my friend Warren Buffet:
As a prostate cancer survivor ( I had my surgery four years ago and have been completely cancer free ever since), I just want to wish you all the best and hope you can overcome the problems and obstacles that patients now face under “The Patient Protection And Affordable Care Act.”
Don’t forget, I was treated two years before ObamaCare.
1- I hope that you are now able to find a top MD who actually accepts your Medicare insurance. Don’t worry, it may take you a while, since ObamaCare has reduced the number of doctors accepting Medicare. Try to be patient, Warren, especially with the long lines and all the new forms.
2- Since your Medicare Insurance only covers 8 percent, I hope you have a secondary insurance that will pay the balance or else you will have to come up with the funds yourself.
You may have to apply for one of your low-interest loans. Fortunately, Dodd-Frank and the bank bailouts, which you also supported, makes it much easier for an “average guy “ like you to get a loan. However, if necessary, It will be a honor for me to co-sign it for you, if your credit score is not high enough.
3- Even though you are an original supporter of ObamaCare , I doubt that the 500 billion dollars that was immediately taken out of medicare to cover the uninsured, will not effect your treatment. But we’ll see.
4- Within the ObamaCare law you endorsed is “The U.S. Preventative Service Task Force.” This government ,bureaucratic committee determines who is eligible for treatment. It is critical for you to find out if a man in his 80s , like you, is still actually eligible for the radiation choice you have selected. But don’t worry. You can always go to Havana or Moscow for your treatment. I really hope that Berkshire will function well during your absence. Don’t worry, being treated in a government-run healthcare system overseas is probably not as bad as they say.
5- I would also advise you to make sure your insurance premium is fully paid. I know that you and the president told me that insurance premiums and health-care costs would go down. But, so far, premiums and health care costs have actually skyrocketed. Since you own your own insurance company, these figures are readily available to you.
You are such an inspiration to all of us. Please let me know if you need any financial help during this “crisis” in your life.
Unfortunately, since I am one of those 1 percenter’s and may be paying higher taxes this year because of the Buffet tax increase, I may be a little short of funds myself. But, please send me your bank information anyway, so I can wire you my remaining funds.
God be with you.
Oh, I forgot. I don’t think you want me to say that anymore. Sorry.
Dr. Stephen R. Morris DDS
North Hills
(Resident of Great Neck,
1969-1998)
