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Paul Ryan just keeps on trying to address the fundamental issues we face.
The Democrats have been extremely successful in portraying responsible governance as "throwing granny off a cliff." But what is really going on? Democrats must like for Medicare to pay $2200 for $400 wheelchairs, and believe that it is sustainable on that basis. They sure fight every attempt to bring rationality to the process.
From Paul Ryan's piece in the Wall Street Journal,
"The president's budget gives more power to unelected bureaucrats, takes more from hard-working taxpayers to fuel the expansion of government, and commits our nation to a future of debt and decline.
The contrast with our budget couldn't be clearer: We put our trust in citizens, not government. Our budget returns power to individuals, families and communities. It draws inspiration from the Founders' belief that all people are born with an unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. Protecting this right means trusting citizens, not nameless government officials, to decide what is in their best interests and make the right choice about our nation's future." Paul Ryan: The GOP Budget and America's Future - WSJ.com
Funny thing is, Ryan's budget is close to the blueprint suggested by the bipartisan Simpson Bowles Commission, the bipartisan Gang of Six, Alice Rivlin's commission, and just about every serious bipartisan effort to deal with our problems.
How about some attempt at governance from the Democrats, for a change? Or will Dem leadership in the Senate and House and the presidency continue to engage in message-board-quality discourse?
Paul Ryan just keeps on trying to address the fundamental issues we face.
The Democrats have been extremely successful in portraying responsible governance as "throwing granny off a cliff." But what is really going on? Democrats must like for Medicare to pay $2200 for $400 wheelchairs, and believe that it is sustainable on that basis. They sure fight every attempt to bring rationality to the process.
From Paul Ryan's piece in the Wall Street Journal,
"The president's budget gives more power to unelected bureaucrats, takes more from hard-working taxpayers to fuel the expansion of government, and commits our nation to a future of debt and decline.
The contrast with our budget couldn't be clearer: We put our trust in citizens, not government. Our budget returns power to individuals, families and communities. It draws inspiration from the Founders' belief that all people are born with an unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. Protecting this right means trusting citizens, not nameless government officials, to decide what is in their best interests and make the right choice about our nation's future." Paul Ryan: The GOP Budget and America's Future - WSJ.com
Funny thing is, Ryan's budget is close to the blueprint suggested by the bipartisan Simpson Bowles Commission, the bipartisan Gang of Six, Alice Rivlin's commission, and just about every serious bipartisan effort to deal with our problems.
How about some attempt at governance from the Democrats, for a change? Or will Dem leadership in the Senate and House and the presidency continue to engage in message-board-quality discourse?
Still refuses to offer any revenue increase, only cuts. There is no similarity to Simpson-Bowles. He again would assure the demise of Medicare. Nothing new, oh except now they call the "Death Panels", unelected bureaucrats. I guess so they can confuse their minions...apparently it works .. ^^
The premise that Medicare needs preserving as is, is faulty. Because everyone who is not demagoguing the issue acknowledges that Medicare is fraught with fraud and over prescription of treatment, tests and procedures. Yes, Ryan's approach is a departure from medicare as we know it. But, that is a good thing, as the list of reforms proposed by Simpson-Bowles just underscores what a failed system Medicare has become.
Simpspon-Bowles Report, says in part. You can follow this link [SIZE=3]FISCALCOMMISSION.GOV[/SIZE] Medicare Savings 3.3.1 Increase government authority and funding to reduce Medicare fraud. EF's thought:A service reimbursement system will never ring all fraud out of the system. It is too full of holes.
3.3.2 Reform Medicare cost-sharing rules. Hint: folks on Medicare will pay more of their fairshare.
3.3.3 Restrict first-dollar coverage in Medicare supplemental insurance. This means that the real cost of your medigap or Medicare supplement will increase, as it won't be useable from dollar one. In turn this means that Medicare as we know it is going to cost more.
[SIZE=3][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/SIZE]
There is more, if you wish to bone up before commenting further.
From the Ryan Plan. The Roadmap secures Medicare for current beneficiaries, while making common-sense reforms to save this critical program.
It preserves the existing Medicare program for those currently enrolled or becoming eligible in the next 10 years (those 55 and older today) - So Americans can receive the benefits they planned for throughout their working lives. For those currently under 55 – as they become Medicare-eligible – it creates a Medicare payment, initially averaging $11,000, to be used to purchase a Medicare certified plan. The payment is adjusted to reflect medical inflation, and pegged to income, with low-income individuals receiving greater support. The plan also provides risk adjustment, so those with greater medical needs receive a higher payment.
The proposal also fully funds Medical Savings Accounts [MSAs] for low-income beneficiaries, while continuing to allow all beneficiaries, regardless of income, to set up tax-free MSAs.
Based on consultation with the Office of the Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and using Congressional Budget Office [CBO] these reforms will make Medicare permanently solvent
Modernizes Medicaid and strengthens the health care safety net by reforming high-risk pools, giving States maximum flexibility to tailor Medicaid programs to the specific needs of their populations. Allows Medicaid recipients to take part in the same variety of options and high-quality care available to everyone through the tax credit option.
Quote:
Originally Posted by florida.bob
Still refuses to offer any revenue increase, only cuts. There is no similarity to Simpson-Bowles. He again would assure the demise of Medicare. Nothing new, oh except now they call the "Death Panels", unelected bureaucrats. I guess so they can confuse their minions...apparently it works .. ^^
If Republicans want to deform Medicare the way they want to, I want to be able to opt out RIGHT NOW. Let those they are pandering to... deal with the consequences.
Last edited by CaseyB; 03-20-2012 at 10:56 AM..
Reason: off topic
The premise that Medicare needs preserving as is, is faulty. Because everyone who is not demagoguing the issue acknowledges that Medicare is fraught with fraud and over prescription of treatment, tests and procedures. Yes, Ryan's approach is a departure from medicare as we know it. But, that is a good thing, as the list of reforms proposed by Simpson-Bowles just underscores what a failed system Medicare has become.
Simpspon-Bowles Report, says in part. You can follow this link [SIZE=3]FISCALCOMMISSION.GOV[/SIZE] Medicare Savings 3.3.1 Increase government authority and funding to reduce Medicare fraud. EF's thought:A service reimbursement system will never ring all fraud out of the system. It is too full of holes.
3.3.2 Reform Medicare cost-sharing rules. Hint: folks on Medicare will pay more of their fairshare.
3.3.3 Restrict first-dollar coverage in Medicare supplemental insurance. This means that the real cost of your medigap or Medicare supplement will increase, as it won't be useable from dollar one. In turn this means that Medicare as we know it is going to cost more.
[SIZE=3][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/SIZE]
There is more, if you wish to bone up before commenting further.
From the Ryan Plan. The Roadmap secures Medicare for current beneficiaries, while making common-sense reforms to save this critical program.
It preserves the existing Medicare program for those currently enrolled or becoming eligible in the next 10 years (those 55 and older today) - So Americans can receive the benefits they planned for throughout their working lives. For those currently under 55 – as they become Medicare-eligible – it creates a Medicare payment, initially averaging $11,000, to be used to purchase a Medicare certified plan. The payment is adjusted to reflect medical inflation, and pegged to income, with low-income individuals receiving greater support. The plan also provides risk adjustment, so those with greater medical needs receive a higher payment.
The proposal also fully funds Medical Savings Accounts [MSAs] for low-income beneficiaries, while continuing to allow all beneficiaries, regardless of income, to set up tax-free MSAs.
Based on consultation with the Office of the Actuary of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and using Congressional Budget Office [CBO] these reforms will make Medicare permanently solvent
Modernizes Medicaid and strengthens the health care safety net by reforming high-risk pools, giving States maximum flexibility to tailor Medicaid programs to the specific needs of their populations. Allows Medicaid recipients to take part in the same variety of options and high-quality care available to everyone through the tax credit option.
"We do not need a Health Industry. We need Health Care and the least expensive way to provide it is to eliminate any private sector profit driven involvement. We need to nationalize the entire system from local physician to mega pharmaceuticals. The biggest savings would come from eliminating private sector profits and excess managerial salaries."
The biggest savings available is to cut back our invasive military. We are NOT the cops of the world. The problem with cut backs is employing all the resulting unemployed. Maybe the government should own this industry as well for the same reasons as health care.
"We do not need a Health Industry. We need Health Care and the least expensive way to provide it is to eliminate any private sector profit driven involvement. We need to nationalize the entire system from local physician to mega pharmaceuticals. The biggest savings would come from eliminating private sector profits and excess managerial salaries."
The biggest savings available is to cut back our invasive military. We are NOT the cops of the world. The problem with cut backs is employing all the resulting unemployed. Maybe the government should own this industry as well for the same reasons as health care.
^that. Of course down the road as more baby boomers retire we will need to do some reform. Probably in the form of upping the age you can get either, and higher taxes. The republican forms never work because they assume all cuts but no new revenue increases.
If Republicans want to deform Medicare the way they want to, I want to be able to opt out RIGHT NOW. Let those they are pandering to... deal with the consequences. Right Roysoldboy?
Oh no....in our out....out you pay a Fine (tax or what ever you want) In, you pay also....
Oh no....in our out....out you pay a Fine (tax or what ever you want) In, you pay also....
????
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They never learn...
