My wife and I turned 50 this year, and were greeted with a mind numbing increase in our health insurance rate, to almost $1,000 a month, of which employer pays $250. My wife suffers from chronic migraines and is taking multiple medications that are very expensive. (over $300 each). Even with prescription plan, our monthly combined medication we pay is well over $300. 4 to 5 trips to specialists and general practitioner add $125 to $150 a month, resulting in $1200 total medical out of pocket expense each month for us. Our income for last year was $35,000 for both of us. We live in one of the most expensive areas in Ca (bay area). My wife has to continue to work because she has insurance from her employer. She should be on disability from the state, but doctors & state seem only to care about getting their money, and just prescribe more meds to offset her pain. A managed state health care system could help prevent this kind of inequity.