Dave Bilski

Dave Bilski
Perrysburg, OH, (a suburb of Toledo)
(419) 837-6359

Dave Bilski is a 62-year-old retiree from Perrysburg, OH, a suburb of Toledo. Dave worked for a glass factory for 36 years and has been retired for eight. Dave was a proud member of the United Steelworkers of America and is most concerned by the cost of healthcare in America. In 2000, Dave took the buyout that his company offered, worrying that he wouldn’t end up with anything. He is currently looking for another job to make ends meet and pay the bills. Here is what Dave had to say about his life as a retired steelworker in America:

On Healthcare and Pension:
“My pension isn’t much, it is only $400 a month, and at least $150 of that goes to my healthcare, and that is on a good month. If I need to see my doctor or get a prescription, the extra costs can easily wipe out the whole amount.”

On Prescription Drugs:
“The costs of my prescriptions keep going up. On a fixed income, I was hoping to have fixed costs, but these programs don’t work the way you think. I can spend six months fighting with Medicare Part D to get my prescriptions and they still cost so much more than I can afford.”

On Social Security:
“Social Security is the best program in our country, but it doesn’t meet the needs of today’s seniors. Instead of talking about privatization, which will destroy the program, we should be talking about strengthening it. I never thought I would have to look for a job at 62 just to put food on the table.”

On the Economy:
“You are loyal to the company, work hard, and pay into a system your entire life hoping that it will be a little bit easier at the end. Things just don’t work out the way that I thought. Gas prices are beating me up and if it is not the cost of the doctor visit, it is the cost of the gas to get there. I just never thought it would be so hard.”

On Future Generations:
“I always told my kids that if they worked hard, this country would pay them back. Now, my 32-year-old son who has a good job and works full time has to live with us so that we can all share costs. We need to take care of each other and are happy to do it, but it is the wrong message to send to our kids.”