I turned 65 last week. As more and more mail stamped MEDICARE filled my mailbox and the month of my Medicare birthday (February) approached, I felt my anxiety rise.

Was I making the right choice? It turns out I already have and will keep my group plan which contains prescription drug coverage. I’m all set. Sadly, I was reminded that many in our community do not have such health care coverage. They must pay full price for their prescriptions or go without.

I can also continue to see my doctor at Whidbey Community Physicians, thanks to my established 20-year patient history with them. Not so for a number of Medicare patients, however, who must search the Yellow Pages for a doctor or go to the emergency room for care.

For years we have heard about losing some of our best doctors to large cities where Medicare reimbursements are higher. Now I know why. I learned that, at least on Whidbey Island, Medicare covers only 30 to 50 percent of the doctor’s billable charges. Another cut has been rescinded at least for this year, but look for cuts of approximately 20 percent more in the next several years.

With or without the cuts, many surgical specialists and doctors’ offices in Western Washington are not taking new Medicare patients.

Doctors, who are trained medically and technically to help people, detest seeing patients used as barter in the debate. And they feel things will get worse.

A doctor I spoke to feels one reason the health care system is broken is because of Medicare D, which he said passed because no one read the 1,200-page document.

You may not be 65, but it is closer than you think. I plan to ask my elected representatives what they are doing about it. Don’t expect a formal reply; it’s just important to make your opinion known.

Go to www.visi.com/juan/

congress

Click on Washington State and you will see a list of names with bios, committees served on, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.

Teachers take

a turn …

It’s back! The popular McTeacher’s Night returns today and tomorrow at McDonald’s on Highway 20.

Local middle school staff, teachers and principals will prepare orders alongside McDonald’s employees. Today from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., it’s North Whidbey Middle School; tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., it’s Oak Harbor Middle School.

Each school receives 20 percent of the sales.

March means mussels …

It’s hard to be humble when our local bi-valves are served in restaurants from New York City to South Florida. As if you needed a reason to eat your fill, the Penn Cove Mussel Festival is coming March 4.

GARY SIMS is manager of

TOBY’S. “My main job during the festival is handing out samples of mussel chowder for the public to judge. There is a different recipe at several venues around town,” Sims said.

“We always get compliments on our chowder, but we never win,” he laughed. “Maybe this is our year.”

Visit www.penncovemussel

festival.com or call 678-1100.

Paint, paper …

Finding the right wallpaper pattern is like picking a husband. Make sure it is easy on the eyes, not going to get on your nerves and continue to please for many years. Last week I saw a rare sight on the island: about 30 feet of wallpaper books at the new Sherwin-Williams store by Subway.

Franchise manager SCOTT CLEVELAND says it’s been great getting to know contractors and customers. And when AMANDA GLADER,

ANDREA KRAUSS and SETH BRECKINRIDGE aren’t assisting customers, they can be found on the computer, learning about the properties of paint.

Successful sale …

The bake sale for DILLON GROSE at Saar’s Market Place on Feb. 3 raised almost $4,000 to help pay for his cancer treatment. Your generosity has overwhelmed his mother YVONNE, who reports their insurance won’t cover one prescription he needs to continue chemotherapy, and it costs $350 a dose.

Big day…

A wall-raising is planned for Saturday, Feb. 25, on the Habitat for Humanity of Island County North Chapter house in Redwing off Heller Road, being constructed for MARGIE, JOSHUA and REBECCA SCHRUM. It’s the 11th such home for the affiliate.

Work begins at 9 a.m. and goes until mid-afternoon. Come to 1492 NW Kathleen Drive, behind Family Bible Church. No one under age 16, please. Call 679-9444 for information.

That’s a wrap until March 1. Please call me with your news at 675-6611 or e-mail lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com. I’d love to talk to you.