Medicare Stories
December 02, 2019
Medicare Stories – Diana Madoshi
Diana Madoshi, 69, of Rocklin, California started working at age 17, then put herself thorough school and earned a B.S. degree in nursing. Her nursing career enabled her to start an IRA and obtain a mortgage to buy a home.
All the time that she worked – sometimes two jobs – she paid Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes toward her future Social Security and Medicare benefits. Today, she is glad that she paid into Social Security and Medicare, because those benefits are a financial lifeline.
In her late-middle age, Diana became chronically ill and disabled with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and Lupus. She had to sell her house to cover her health expenses. Ultimately, she was unable to work, depleted her savings, and lost her health care coverage.
Today, she relies on Medicare and Medi-Cal for her health care. Without Medicare, her health would have severely deteriorated. She has additional diagnoses of Type 2 diabetes and mitral valve leakage. However, thanks to Social Security, Medicare, and subsidized housing, she is able to maintain her independence.
“Without Medicare, I don’t believe I would be alive now,” says Ms. Madoshi. “I am grateful to get Medicare. It has improved my standard of living.”
“Any cuts to Medicare would put me on the streets,” adds Ms. Madoshi.
