Information on seniors and health care reform. (supplement, social security, coverage)

[TuborgP]

Interesting article with substance and not emotion on issues regarding the Baucus bill
Senators spar on health bill's effect on seniors - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul - broken link)



Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said it was "disingenuous to say Congress can cut this much ... without having an adverse affect on seniors' access to care."

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the bill is "paid for by cutting, maybe a better word is slashing, Medicare by $500 billion."

But some Democrats noted that other portions of the bill would increase benefits for all beneficiaries on Medicare, sweetening prescription drug benefits, for example, and Baucus said the net result of the legislation would be added years of solvency for the program's troubled trust fund.

Read the article especially the part about cutting contributions to private insurers. Not sure if this is for folks with supplemental coverage like many of have or not. Good read and try to discuss the issues without political finger pointing.

[MotleyCrew]

I think there are many areas of Medicare that could be cut to save money. We tend to take well intentioned programs and over the years continue to add more and more perks until they become unsustainable. If we were to cover catastrophic care only, skilled nursing, major surgery etc, and cut the eye glasses and bandaids, then perhaps the program would again be viable. This health care bill being rammed through has far too many bandaids and again, if we were to only cover catastrophic illness and injury, the stuff than bankrupts people, then it could work. We have to do something and health care is out of sight, but I fear doing the wrong thing.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

I think there are many areas of Medicare that could be cut to save money. We tend to take well intentioned programs and over the years continue to add more and more perks until they become unsustainable. If we were to cover catastrophic care only, skilled nursing, major surgery etc, and cut the eye glasses and bandaids, then perhaps the program would again be viable. This health care bill being rammed through has far too many bandaids and again, if we were to only cover catastrophic illness and injury, the stuff than bankrupts people, then it could work. We have to do something and health care is out of sight, but I fear doing the wrong thing.

I agree with you and taking it one step at a time is important. You make very good points. No Child Left Behind was a well intended program that has had many unintended consequences both financially and educationally.

[Missourimomo]

Originally Posted by TuborgP

Interesting article with substance and not emotion on issues regarding the Baucus bill
Senators spar on health bill's effect on seniors - Yahoo! News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090923/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_overhaul - broken link)



Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said it was "disingenuous to say Congress can cut this much ... without having an adverse affect on seniors' access to care."

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the bill is "paid for by cutting, maybe a better word is slashing, Medicare by $500 billion."

But some Democrats noted that other portions of the bill would increase benefits for all beneficiaries on Medicare, sweetening prescription drug benefits, for example, and Baucus said the net result of the legislation would be added years of solvency for the program's troubled trust fund.

Read the article especially the part about cutting contributions to private insurers. Not sure if this is for folks with supplemental coverage like many of have or not. Good read and try to discuss the issues without political finger pointing.

Thanks for posting.

[texdav]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

I think there are many areas of Medicare that could be cut to save money. We tend to take well intentioned programs and over the years continue to add more and more perks until they become unsustainable. If we were to cover catastrophic care only, skilled nursing, major surgery etc, and cut the eye glasses and bandaids, then perhaps the program would again be viable. This health care bill being rammed through has far too many bandaids and again, if we were to only cover catastrophic illness and injury, the stuff than bankrupts people, then it could work. We have to do something and health care is out of sight, but I fear doing the wrong thing.

What you are suggeting is what use to be called major medcial which was waht heath care insurnce was not that long ago. It was what empyers offered . It bascaily paid for major in hospital stays ;not visits to the doctor for mionr illnesses. It wa thru bargainigthat empoyers satrted offering coverage for visits.drugs;dentist and other things. It is still possible to buy the same coverage. Just as it is for spefixc ilneesesliie cancer.

[checking out]

We're going to get what OUR elected officials seem fit to give us....just remember that the next time you vote.

Vote beyond your own wallet!

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by texdav

What you are suggeting is what use to be called major medcial which was waht heath care insurnce was not that long ago. It was what empyers offered . It bascaily paid for major in hospital stays ;not visits to the doctor for mionr illnesses. It wa thru bargainigthat empoyers satrted offering coverage for visits.drugs;dentist and other things. It is still possible to buy the same coverage. Just as it is for spefixc ilneesesliie cancer.

That is called back to the basics and keep it simple stupid. Not a bad way of doing things. I fear what any bill health or otherwise will look like once lawyers get a hold of it in court. Lobbyist help write bills that say one thing but leave loopholes for their lawyers later to shape it the way they want.

[MotleyCrew]

I do have some concern with the way they are keeping this latest version of the bill very quiet, not allowing anyone to read it and threatening to push it through. I just wished they would listen to people and offer a simple plan and cut the pork they are piling on to it as we write.

[TuborgP]

Originally Posted by MotleyCrew

I do have some concern with the way they are keeping this latest version of the bill very quiet, not allowing anyone to read it and threatening to push it through. I just wished they would listen to people and offer a simple plan and cut the pork they are piling on to it as we write.

Both extremes have their own overall agenda which does not necessarily have any consistency with their public positions. It is what they say in small meetings to special interest groups that shoul be of concern to all of us.

[Cattknap]

The government has done such a great job of handling Medicare, Social Security and Welfare - why wouldn't we be just thrilled to pieces to have them invent and manage a healthcare plan for the masses??