Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Again, Medicare is what you pay into via FICA payroll taxes. Medicaid is for the indigent and a few others paid for out of federal government general revenue split evenly with states.
Anyone poor enough to qualify can get Medicaid, only those who have paid the qualifying number of quarters can get Medicare.
It is however possible to draw both; persons who are on Medicaid reach qualifying age and if they do have enough quarters receive Medicare. Seniors who are indigent even with Medicare can also apply for Medicaid.
Of course you can turn the argument on its head. Those in poorer health, whether by choice or chance, are less likely to earn good money. Or miss years of work due to health issues.
From a WSJ blog entry by Josh Zumbrun. If the link does not work "Google" the article as it is live still.
"A growing body of research in recent years points to the striking fact that wealthier people are living significantly longer than less wealthy people, and the gap appears to be widening. Just this week, a study led by Stanford University economist Raj Chetty, showed that life expectancy differed for the top 1% and bottom 1% of the income distribution by 15 years for men and by 10 years for women."
I can skew things, but the overall impact IMO will be low.
The rich pay back more in tax even while receiving SS. Silly but it's true.
The are far more poor than rich.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.