(mentions Larry!) U.S. health system has pair bound for Italy

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U.S. health system has pair bound for Italy

By Shanna Flowers

At 62, Larry is on disability retirement because he has a

neurological disease. A former software engineer and educator, Larry

doesn't yet qualify for Medicare because he retired on disability

less than two years ago. So he's on 's health insurance.

, 55, is an administrative assistant and grant-writer at the Art

Museum of Western Virginia. But she has kidney disease. Her health

is stable though not robust. If becomes seriously ill and has

to stop working, the dominoes start tumbling: She loses her health

coverage. And Larry loses his.

The Burnt Chimney couple, who've been married for 30 years and are

childless, don't want that scenario to become reality. So later this

fall, they're moving.

To Rome.

Italy.

" It's an escape plan, " deadpanned Larry, who, despite his illness,

retains his dry wit.

Added , " It's just a much more progressive plan over there. I'm

not saying it's perfect, but at least you're halfway there. They do

respect you as a person. "

America's health care system is broken. We often lament the

circumstances of the millions of uninsured in this country. But the

system can be a frustrating journey for those with coverage.

The Shields' decision sounds like a case study from filmmaker

's latest movie, " Sicko, " in which he compares the U.S.

health system with national systems of other countries. (They

haven't seen the movie.)

They emphasized their decision is not for everyone. And their choice

is not random.

was born in Italy. She moved to Chicago when she was 8 and has

dual Italian and American citizenship. She regularly visits her

native country. She and Larry plan to move there before the end of

the year for its public health system.

Because Larry is a foreigner, he might have to pay a one-time $800

fee in Italy to get medical services.

To many people, the Shields' move may seem a drastic remedy. They

see it as assurance they won't be stuck in health care limbo.

" My health is dependent on her being healthy, and she's not

healthy, " Larry said. " She's working for health care. "

With the move, they say they will be able to avoid some of the red

tape they've faced in the health system here.

Larry was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth in 2001. The genetic

disease causes weakness in his extremities. It affects his arms

below the elbows, and legs below the knees.

Larry has problems with balance. The disease also causes difficulty

with breathing. It has robbed him of strength and muscle tone, and

he tires easily.

" It's not life-threatening, " said the former avid sportsman. " It's

life-disgusting, but it's not life-threatening. "

has polycystic kidney disease, which is genetic. The benign

cysts on her kidneys diminish her kidney function. Eventually, most

patients need dialysis or kidney transplant. Thankfully, she's not

at that point.

If lost her job, she eventually would be covered by Medicare

because of the nature of her disease. But Larry, who has been on

disability since July 2006, will not qualify for Medicare coverage

until July 2008.

For the Shields, navigating the system can be as difficult as living

with disease. shared the frustration of waiting on preapprovals

for prescription refills. Insurance companies, she said, are stingy

when the drug is costly or when a generic brand doesn't exist.

For the past several years, Larry and have paid about $7,000

annually in out-of-pocket medical expenses for such things as a leg

brace, medication and co-pays.

I pointed out that she and Larry are fortunate to have the resources

to pay medical expenses. Many Americans can't afford that.

" We are fortunate, " said, clearly aware of the point.

Still, they worry.

One afternoon a few years ago, they were sitting in their house

tucked in the woods on a gravel road when the idea of moving to

Italy came up, rather flippantly.

was watching Formula One racing on television. Larry came in

the room, fretting about their health care. His worries distracted

her.

" Shut up, I'm watching the race, " said, laughingly recalling

the conversation. " We'll move to Italy or something. "

From there, the idea stuck. It made sense on a number of fronts.

has an elderly aunt in Rome. The couple have purchased a great

apartment on a tree-lined street, next to the Vatican.

But most important, they said, their health care worries would be

gone. The $7,000 they pay annually here in expenses would be greatly

reduced. They would not pay for health coverage, and the majority of

medication is free, said.

Oddly, in three decades of marriage, Larry has never accompanied his

wife to Italy. No need, he said. He doesn't like to travel and her

relatives were always welcome here.

Recently, met another woman who is considering moving to Italy

for the health care system.

" I'm not a progressive Democrat, " said, " but I see a need for

health care reform in this country. "

http://www.roanoke.com/columnists/flowers/wb/133585