The last election was a stark continuance of the polarized status of our politics and even our country. Both sides disagree on fundamental issues, and at times, it appears there is no attempt to even listen to the other side. This is the environment we find ourselves in, and with one party having won the majority in the House and the Senate, as well as capturing the White House, it looks like this polarization is going to be magnified. As we look forward to 2025, from a healthcare perspective, it’s easy to think that any compromise or bipartisan solutions may be out of the question.

I always loved the song of the late 70’s, love is in the air. I wouldn’t, however, say that love was in the air to describe the relationship between the two main parties leading up to last month’s elections. We have an absolutely polarized political environment at almost every level, as was demonstrated in the debates, the advertising, and the rhetoric that existed at every campaign event.

Senior’s Speak Out is a great name that exudes action and a resolve to advocate for ourselves and to right wrongs. At its core is action, a willingness to combine our voices into a single coordinated message that rises above the ever-present cacophonous noise that exists in today’s politics. The only way for us to succeed as a group is to take individual responsibility to respond to calls for action, to take the time to review and understand the issues to take a stance, and to contact those who govern us. I’m a big believer in individual accountability, that we all are responsible for our own actions and our own inaction.

It seems to me these days that as soon as Halloween is done, we get right into Christmas, and, in my humble opinion (abbreviated as IMHO in the current social media parlance), we are skipping one of the best holidays of the year - Thanksgiving. I’ve seen stores displaying Christmas trees, decorations, and ideas for holiday gifts since October ended, and there are now black Friday sales a week prior to black Friday.

Monday was Veterans Day, a day that always caused me to reflect on my service and the service of those I served with. As a B-52 crew member in the Vietnam War, I grew very close to many I flew with and grieved for those friends I lost due to inflight accidents. I have a special connection with those who served there. This experience gave me a sense of the sacrifice gifted to us by those who serve and fight for us today, and I relish the chance to thank them for their service.

As if we all didn’t know, tomorrow is election day, and yes, this is another plea to get out and vote. Hopefully, I’ll hit on some good points or at least hit some nerve that pushes you to get out and exercise what may be the most important freedom we have – voting. As I am wont to do, I’ll give you some links at the end of the blog that will give you information on what to do and where to go to vote and to register on election day if your state allows it.

Last Thursday, October 24th, Seniors Speak Out (SSO) held a Facebook live event discussing the Seniors Satisfaction Survey that the Healthcare Leadership Council’s (HLC) Medicare Today conducts every year. I, SSO Spokesperson Thair Phillips, hosted the event, which included Matt Monday from Morning Consult, the firm that conducted the survey, and Maria Ghazal, the President and CEO of HLC.

As I thought about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought about why we needed to be aware. The mere fact that they ask us to be aware indicates that we have failed in the past to give breast cancer the attention it deserves. Well, here are a few statistics that should cement the fact that a whole month concentrating on breast cancer is a worthy goal.

It’s that time of year again, called open enrollment, when older Americans have a window of opportunity to reevaluate their healthcare providers and coverage. This period affects nearly 9 out of 10 of us who either have Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) or belong to a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, and it seems to me to be a great time to focus on something that many older adults don’t pay much attention to . . . their own mental health. The World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) started World Mental Health Day in 1948 so it has been around as long as I have, which makes it pretty old.

It’s that time of year when we should focus on getting vaccinated -- and these days, it’s more than just getting your flu shot. It seems to me that not too many years ago, in the fall, all I needed to do was to go get my flu shot. Times have changed.

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act, better known as the Hatch-Waxman Act. A law that has had a lasting impact on the drugs we depend on every day. It was conceived by its two namesakes, Orin Hatch, a Republican Senator from Utah, and Henry Waxman, a Democrat Representative from California.

I’ve heard the saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” my whole life, and I really don’t know if it’s true. I haven’t tried to teach an old dog any new tricks, but I assume it references the belief that as a dog gets old, it gets set in its ways and resists change or learning new things. I certainly don’t want to suggest that we are old dogs, but it is very evident to me that as I get older, I want things to remain constant, and it is difficult to learn all the new gizmos that are now available.

Every year since 2007, a year after Part D was implemented, the Healthcare Leadership Council has surveyed the people this program serves, Medicare beneficiaries, primarily those Americans who are 65 and older.

A couple of weeks ago the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the prices for the 10 drugs selected under the powers of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). President Biden and newly selected Democrat presidential nominee and current Vice President Kamala Harris held a press conference to announce the results of the price “negotiations” between CMS and the manufacturers of the 10 drugs.

We now have two duly nominated candidates for President of the United States. The first candidate, a forgone conclusion for the Republicans, and the second candidate, a surprise from anyone’s point-of-view but a surprisingly powerful candidate for the Democrats.

This week marks the second anniversary of signing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It’s an ominous anniversary because, in a few weeks, the government will release the dictated prices that the government will pay for the ten drugs they have selected in this first year.

Medicare turned 59 on July 30th. That’s a long time, especially for a government program that now serves a quarter of our population. I’ll reveal my age in telling you that I was 17 when Medicare was signed into law by President Johnson.

Do you remember recess, that great time in elementary school when you got released from that stuffy classroom and could run and play outside with your friends? Well, the congressional recess is probably a lot like that, for many of our lawmakers.

July 22nd is World Brain Day, and it’s probably one of those health days that we don’t need to be reminded about. It seems as you grow older, your brain (or simply your cognitive health) is always on your mind.