health continued from page 62 “We all deserve better and can work toward better if we start asking questions of our providers and representatives in our states and in Congress.” Sara NINA SUBIN — Elisabeth Rosenthal My Life. My Happiness. My Home. “I have lived at Regent Street of West Bloomfield for two years. I chose this community because I had family living here who just loved it. And I do too! I love going to Bingo, exercising every day and participating in all the activities. I am very artistic and the art programs keep me inspired! The staff is like family. In fact, a former staff member and I formed such a close friendship, we still visit and go out for lunch.” Learn more about how much better your life can be at Regent Street of West Bloomfield. 248.671.6106 www.meridiansenior.info/regent-street-ad 4460 Orchard Lake Road . West Bloomfield, MI 48323 64 April 27 • 2017 jn turned into the series “Paying Till It Hurts.” “My assumption had been I would go back to emergency medicine after the Clinton legislation passed,” Rosenthal says. “But it didn’t pass, and the problems weren’t solved. So here I am, 25 years later, writing about similar issues — but worse. “Then, it was a subset of some people not being served well, but now it’s all of us,” she said. “We all deserve better and can work toward better if we start asking questions of our providers and representatives in our states and in Congress.” For example, did your representa- tive get donations from the phar- maceutical industry? How does that Elisabeth Rosenthal impact why Medicare can’t negotiate drug prices? Is your state insurance commissioner making sure insurance directories are accurate so it’s not hard to find a doctor in your network? Rosenthal suggests finding out who these people are and whether they are working on our behalf. Rosenthal learned a lot about individuals’ problems and solu- tions through responses to her series of articles and audience remarks after her speaking presentations. “We would do a story about the high price of colonoscopy, for instance, and we would ask people if there were other pro- cedures where they’ve seen costs out of line with the care they got,” Rosenthal explains. “People shared their stories, and over time, that snowballed. I started a Facebook group on patient costs, and people contributed more stories. “Many of them shared very personal stories because they were so upset with what was happening to healthcare. They were stressed by the confusion and financial hits they took. Even the relatively small bills —and in our system, that can be hundreds of dollars — are pretty large. “An American living in Turkey decided not to come back to the U.S. to have her second child because it would cost so much. Others shared helpful solutions about how they were able to bargain a better price on a hospital stay. It’s sad that we have to do that, but we should all know we can protest bills.” Rosenthal attributes her commitment to these issues to her late dad and uncle as role models. The men, twins who both practiced medicine, are described as exhibiting a sense of car- ing, a sense of mission and a sense of duty linked to Jewish teachings. “One of the most meaningful things that happened to me in the wake of this book was a call from a cousin who also became a physician,” Rosenthal says. “My cousin commented that our fathers would be really proud of us both because they both trained at Bellevue and had this sense of public service, which I think is connected to religious values.” • The Metro Detroit Book and Author Society Luncheon begins at 11 a.m. (with the opening of the book sale room) Monday, May 15, at the Burton Manor Banquet and Conference Center, 27777 Schoolcraft, Livonia. After lunch and talks, authors will sign books. $40. (586) 685-5750.