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This afternoon at a press conference in the Capitol, Stella Johnson talked about how she will benefit from much-needed health insurance reform:

My name is Stella Johnson, and I am a retired school teacher for Washington, D.C. I am also a member of the Alliance for Retired Americans. Like many seniors, I must take prescriptions every day to manage my high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But unfortunately, along with over 3 million other seniors, I am in what is known as the Medicare “donut hole.”

For several months of the year, I have to pay full price for my prescriptions, even though I am still paying my Medicare premiums. In other words, I pay the money but get nothing in return. For an example, in 2008, I received a letter from my insurance company stating that I would not receive any money for my medicine during the month of December. No you know how that is, that is supposed to be a very joyful month. However, I found myself, during that time, quite desperate for I would not receive any money until the new year for my insurance began. I had to use my utility bill money in order to buy my medicine. And then, in order to catch up these bills, I had to even go to borrow money from my food money. I became quite desperate, and I didn’t know what to do. Because in times like this, it is very hard for me to make ends meet. I have to chose between taking the medicines I need and paying my monthly bills. Because my prescription costs so much, I fall behind on some of these bills. When I get hit with late penalties, things even get worse.