Beyond their weekly bible study or game of conasta, residents at Haywood Estates in Greenville have another favorite topic of conversation: health care. "We talk about it all the time," says 82 year old Yvonne Weber. It's why the former professor was glued to her television Wednesday night, watching President Obama address the nation. Weber wonders what the debate will mean for those like herself, on a fixed income. "Most of us lost half of our retirement savings back when the bubble burst. Now we've learned the cost of medicare might go up."
In fact, most of the residents at Haywood Estates rely on Medicare. They wonder what a new plan might do to their pocketbook. "I have arthritis. My husband has had heart surgery," says 83 year old Sue Jackman. "As it is now, we have to see a doctor about every six weeks. What will happen? We have no idea." Those like the Jackman's agree on insuring the nation's poor. They also are concerned about those they leave behind. "They have no health insurance," says Ginnie Zavasnik. "My granddaughter has no health insurance. She's 38." Bob Jackman adds, "We have grandchildren. Just the time involved in getting one of these plans into effect is going to affect them, not as much me, as them."
Weber is just hoping those in Washington can work together. She's praying the debate doesn't last another lifetime, for a new generation to inherit. "Start small," she says. "Nobody learns to walk in one day."
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