A Battle to Change Medicare Is Brewing, Whether Trump Wants It or Not
Apply only to future beneficiaries? That makes it A-OK? What about their children or grandchildren? I do not understand this cavalier attitude.
A Battle to Change Medicare Is Brewing, Whether Trump Wants It or Not
By ROBERT PEARNOV. 24, 2016
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Republicans have pressed for premium support since Mr. Ryan first included it in a budget blueprint in 2011. As he envisions it, Medicare beneficiaries would buy health insurance from one of a number of competing plans. The traditional fee-for-service Medicare program would compete directly with plans offered by private insurers like Humana, UnitedHealth Group and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The federal government would contribute the same basic amount toward coverage of each beneficiary in a region. Those who choose more costly options would generally have to pay higher premiums; those who choose plans that cost less than the federal contribution could receive rebates or extra benefits.
Supporters say this approach could save money by stimulating greater price competition among insurers, who would offer plans with lower premiums to attract customers.
Democrats say that premium support would privatize Medicare, replacing the current government guarantee with skimpy vouchers — “coupon care for seniors.” The fear is that the healthiest seniors would choose private insurance, lured by offers of free health club memberships and other wellness programs, leaving traditional Medicare with sicker, more expensive patients and higher premiums.
“Beneficiaries would have to pay much more to stay in traditional fee-for-service Medicare,” said John K. Gorman, a former Medicare official who is now a consultant to many insurers. “Regular Medicare would become the province of affluent beneficiaries who can buy their way out of” private plans.
Republicans say their proposal would apply to future beneficiaries, not to those in or near retirement. But the mere possibility of big changes is causing trepidation among some older Americans.
“I am terrified of vouchers,” said Kim Ebb, 92, who lives in a retirement community in Bethesda, Md., and has diabetes, atrial fibrillation and irritable bowel syndrome. “You get a fixed amount of money to draw on for your expenses. Then you are on your own.”
more...
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/24/us/politics/donald-trump-medicare-republicans.html?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share&_r=0
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Always, always, always the churn to screw the fuck out of most americans to get people with wealth richer.
And, this country just keeps, time after time, after time, after time, allowing them to do it, and when they fuck things up chew their cuds and moo whatever bullshit the Rs come up with to blame bad luck or the evil liberal boogyman.
And, for all those people who want to think that this or ANY election over the course of the last 30 years were pocketbook election ... 
they've planned to make the ACA go away. The way to do that is to pretend to 'reform' it and then ensure that all insurance companies basically pull out. Boom. No more medical care for anyone unless you can buy private insurance at premium cost. Don't you see? They don't think ANYONE should have ANY sort of socialized anything. Except, of course, for the big banks. Gotta keep them solvent, ya know?
