Devouring widow's houses

Disease and disability are common in the elderly, particularly during the last years of life. Ever wonder how much older Americans are struggling with health care costs at the end of their life?

A recent study looked at out-of-pocket expenses for older Americans during the last five years of their life. These elders were drawn from a national survey of Medicare participants. The average out-of-pocket medical expenses in the five years before death was $38,688. The financial impact for many was severe.

Overall, 25% of subjects’ expenditures exceeded baseline total household assets, and 43% of subjects’ spending surpassed their non-housing assets. Among those survived by a spouse, 10% exceeded total baseline assets and 24% exceeded non-housing assets.

Particularly at risk for financial distress were those suffering from mentally and physically disabling conditions like Alzheimer's disease and stroke. In essence, the most vulnerable elderly face the largest financial burdens, not to mention the greatest difficulty in navigating the ridiculously complex maze of forms, billing, and parasitic debt collectors.

Our glorious political caste want to shift more of the health care cost burden to the elderly. Such cost shifting measures will bring untold suffering to the most vulnerable in our society. What will be our response to this growing crisis as Christians? Jesus condemned the religious authorities for exploiting financially vulnerable widows. I cannot imagine our neglect of the elderly will bring a smile to the Lord's face.