My name is Wendy Spinner and I am from Brentwood, New York. I am 72 years old and a retired legal professional who is recovering from a stroke that took place March 14, 2023.
Suffering a stroke and dealing with all of its consecutive consequences and effects was not a plan I envisioned for myself. The stroke left me without a job and a termination notice as I could not return to work by the time my medical leave expired. Medically, I also developed and was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in addition to my existing conditions of hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, vertigo, high cholesterol, and digestive problems.
Thus, to treat my multiple diagnoses, my current prescription drugs are Eliquis at $550, vitamins, Metoprolol, Meloxicam, Losartan at $17 each, Oxycodone and Hydralazine at $15 each, and Pantoprazole, Gabapentin, Meclizine, and Atorvastatin at $10 each, which sum up to a total of $671 out of pocket. This is too much money considering I have Medicare insurance coverage. Even with a supplemental advantage plan through Wellcare, I am forced to pay the full price of Eliquis for the first three doses before I can start to pay $45 a month for the sequential doses thereafter.
Such high costs have now become financial hardships for myself because of all the added bills and costs associated with multiple hospitalizations, testing, and doctor’s office visits. The hardship has led to me making some personal sacrifices for my own wellbeing and indulgence. I am no longer able to have my hair and nails kept up at the salons. I am unable to visit family because I cannot afford the cost for gas and toll roads because they live in different states. I can barely make ends meet to cover the copays for my treatment.
Ultimately, I believe in lower drug prices because as a senior citizen living on Social Security, which does not cover all of my monthly expenses, I cannot afford the essential things to sustain my life which means others in my positions cannot do the same. This is truly unfair.
