I really appreciate this article. I would like to offer another problem with the high costs of medical care that is hardly ever talked about and that is the almost total lack of mental health care for those like me, who are over 65. The only possibility of getting help in Anchorage for mental health is Providence behavioral health services. The last I called them there was a 6 month waiting list. I called 28 various psychologists, therapists and counsellors, none of which would see me because I was Medicare eligible. When I offered to pay cash, I was still refused an appointment. The statistics for elderly depression is high but hardly anyone in Alaska cares. As Alaska's population ages, I am sure the statistics for suicide will also go up.