HEARING - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

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Chairman MELCHER. So in sum, all of your preparation for retirement
and protection against costs has just evaporated, including
your home?
Mrs. YELINECK. Yes, sir.
Chairman MELCHER. And the costs continue, at at least $3,000.
Mrs. YELINECK. Yes.
Chairman MELCHER. How about your own health? You look very
fine, I might tell you, Mrs. Yelineck.
Mrs. YELINECK. Well, thank you. I have been told that, but you
know, your face can make a liar out of you, too. I have had four
major abdominal surgeries, where I had a tumor as large as a loaf
of bread removed from my abdomen. As a result of that, peristaltic
action happens, where you do not digest your food; the worm-like
movement of your intestines stops completely. Then, I am rushed
to Madison, where a gastroenterologist said, "Oh, you can go
around bragging you had the same thing done that President
Reagan had done." And I said, "Well, I do not care to brag about
that." But that is called an endoscopic.
I was so ill that-I am Catholic-and a priest was called to
anoint me, which is the last sacrament of the church for the ill.
Then I was operated on the next morning. That was about 7 weeks
ago, so I am really not doing my best right here in recalling.
Chairman MELCHER. Were those bills settled yet?
Mrs. YELINECK. No. They are just coming in. One that just came
in was $2,000. That was for part of the surgery,
Chairman ME!.CHER. But some of that will be paid by Medicare,
will it not?
Mrs. YELINECK. It all depends on how they approve it.
Chairman MELCHFR. So there is no certainty right at this
moment.
Mrs. YELINECK. No; there never is. There never is until you get
the statement from Medicare, saying what they approve and what
they do not approve,
Chairman MELCHER. Well, Mrs. Yelineck, I repeat, you do look
very well. I would never have guessed that you have had serious
surgery in the last few months.
I want to thank you very much personally for coming here over
this weekend. You must have come in on an early flight yesterday,
or were you wise enough to come on Saturday?
Mrs. YE.LINECK. It was a little hairy. My daughter came with me,
and there was a heavy gentleman sitting on the end of the row,
and he was reading a book. He noticed that I was really getting
very nervous, and he asked me, "Are you praying?" And I said,
"Yes, I am." And he said, "Well, I am a priest. I will pray with
you.
So I came on a wing and a prayer.
Chairman MELCHER. Well, thank you very much.
Senator Heinz.
Senator HEINZ. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mrs. Yelineck, I join the Chairman on congratulating you on
having gotten here somehow and on your tremendous fortitude and
courage in persevering through what you have been through for
the last 7 years.