I'm Just Sick About This

It's easy to have your blog recount nothing but your rants, and I don't want to do this. But just one more thing, with your patience, please.

I got a Congress-approved raise of 2.3% raise as a federal retiree in December 2007. However, in January I received word that my health care premiums doubled. I now pay about $250 per month for my precious health coverage.

I was talking with my friend George today, and his doubled as well. However, he has family coverage. So his premiums went from approximately $250 per month to over $500 a month. And he's mad as hell.

Not much of a raise. Instead, my retiree annuity dropped over $100 a month. Somehow I'm losing.

I can't wait to not get my $600 from the federal government -- my freebie for being a taxpayer and a consumer -- because I make too much.

Oh, well. As George said, at least we have health insurance. One of his daughters joined her boyfriend's health plan as a domestic partner; his other daughter joined the student health plan at her university. Both George and his wife are going single payer as it's cheaper. And I don't think any of my nephews is enrolled in a health plan at all; it's too expensive.

So I should count my chickens. Except that I have fewer chickens than last year.