Thank you, Mr. President!

I just learned today that, because of Barack Obama's Health Care Reform, I have received assistance for my Medicare Part D. (prescription coverage). My premiums were costing me $60.00 a month. Now, they're down to $6.00 a month. My brand-name prescriptions used to cost me anywhere from $60.00 to $120.00, making it impossible. Now, my most expensive prescription will cost me $6.00. Best of all, I have NO DONUT HOLE! I volunteered for Obama and a program for health care reform and its nice to see something I worked for come to fruition.

AND ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU, BARACK OBAMA! YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT FOR 2012!

That replicates the very thing that "we" SAY we're against.

I may agree on some points, but more importantly I cannot trust people like that.

Posts that are strong pro- or anti-Obama are always unreced.

The whole unrec thing is out of control and is used mostly for retaliation against points of view or individuals with big (cyber)mouths. It has virtually nothing to do with the worth of any given thread.

You know that. I know that. Anyone who knows DU knows that.

You were too complimentary to Obama. That got the unrec.

Try this: Try postng a scathing comment about him. The result will be the same. An unrec, a rec, an unrec, until, at some point it will get a 5 or more. Different people will unrec, but unrec they will.

Nobody would have noticed the unrecs if not for this subthread about them.

I'm hoping to be able to get insurance later this year since I've exhausted COBRA and have pre-existing conditions.

I never thought I'd consider myself lucky for being disabled! I have Muscular Dystrophy but these days, I think I'm better off than alot of people.

You'll be able to purchase health insurance or else face a fine. Actually, you'll be forced to purchase health insurance. You can also do that right now. Of course, the cost is going to be prohibitive, just as it will be later.

They simply hate good news.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

:rofl:

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

Obama '12! I like that! :)

I think we should. It's never too early to start.

:thumbsup:

:applause:

:applause:
rocktivity

I'm 58 years old and I've never seen this much (good) change in my life, but thanks for asking.

They went a huge amount this winter for no good reason.

But one issue does not a president make. Just stay on his good side. Don't join a union and give them any money to flush down the toilet. And by no means do you want to become a whistle-blower and show how our armed services are murdering, kidnapping and renditioning people. Still.

- Just like those other sick fucks before him.....

a major medical emergency... It really would be nice not to be gouged for the in case of situation. Honestly, my medical bills per year would cost our family maybe $300.00 for the year. Instead the family plan is $600.00/ month... and NO decreases here. Congrats on making it to be on Medicare.

...you're too darn healthy.

Thanks for posting this. Bad news is so prevalent and anti-Obama rhetoric so dominant that this is the first I've heard that prescriptions under Medicare will cost less. And I try to stay informed, too.

I add my thanks to the President. Everyone scoffed when liberals said the public would like this bill if only they knew what was in it. I'm liking it better all the time!

I have a type 1 diabetic daughter about to turn 21 and about to start her senior year of college. Without this bill, she and I were both screwed come her graduation.

At least now I can keep her on my plan until the insurance restrictions on preexisting conditions kick in.

For those who aren't familiar with diabetes, it is very, very expensive to treat (particularly type 1).

I thank you, Mr. President. So does she:

<a href="" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

According to my math, I spent about $25 a day just for insulin and bG strips. That does not include the actual cost of the insulin pump or the corresponding supplies or the cost of my bG meter.

If I lose my coverage--well, ketoacidosis is a slow and painful, but mercifully, eventually one falls into a coma. :scared:

She dealt with the ketoacidosis thing when she was first diagnosed, and one time after that. Scary stuff!

Good for you!

built in failure at the start of the process. Selling the American People out behind closed doors at the start just like Cheney did with energy policy. Some people appeared to get benefits, but the whole of America ends up paying when the process gets sold out to corporate interests at the start.


Because your small benefit is delivered through a corrupt system, you got yours, but those of us who didn't get ours, never will. The healthcare system shouldn't be picking winners and losers. But your post demonstrates that it is politically effective to pick winners and losers, because once you pay off the winners, you've bought their vote with tax dollars.

BIGGEST GIFT IN YEARS TO PHARMA FIRMS.

Until we get those who will allow competition that is competition on Medicare we are suckered.

Big O did not push Public Option

Oh! I get it! We will get around to Public Option later.

Max Baucus typical. I always admired the guy till I learned he was BOUGHT
Chair Senate Finance Comm. First act was REMOVE PUBLIC OYTION.

I was shocked. Them fog lifted.

$2,900,000 from Insurance Companies in his Campaign Kitty

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ will buy anything even character

ALWaYS FOLLOW THE $$$$$$$$$$$$$ TO ANSWER MOST PROBLEMS IN GOVERNMENT

olduglymeanhonest

Here's the thing. We win some small victories with this - getting more people on insurance plans AND fix the medicare prescription plan - we get more people realizing that HCR isn't all that of a bad thing. Perhaps in a few years we can try again to add more changes.

Civil Rights movement didn't change instantaneously - it took years of hard work and legislation to get us almost there. Healthcare Reform is going to be the same way.

value. Some folks got helped - everybody paid too much for it.

I can't focus on this because I'm still so angry about the Obama Administration's anti-labor remarks about supporters of Halter. I cannot recommend this thread.

corporations, most members of Congress, most of the Supreme Court, and all of the Executive Branch.

Hilarious.

NOW INCREASE TAXES ON RICH TO PAY FOR THAT 700B OVER TEN YEARS PAID TO RICH INSURANCE AND PHARMA

gift to seniors but 700b is a bunch after telling us less than 350B.


olduglymeanhonest

Very good news!

A Bush program all the way

GOP Congress If over 400B over 10 years we will not pass sit.

Medicare Actuary Tom Scully wrote 450B. Got butt fired.

Then revised and now 700B + over ten years.

O was in Congress.

I wasn't sure if this sausage of "healthcare reform" was going to help anybody. I'm thrilled to hear it's helping you!

I wasn't sure if this sausage of "healthcare reform" was going to help anybody. I'm thrilled to hear it's helping you!

I am very glad to hear this.

Hekate

and no one should have to pay for the drug "deals" put in place by Bush and

now being kept in place by Obama/Congress --

K&R!

trying to get my two great-grandchildren on to MA but they still remain without health care insurance. Is there anything that has already started in the HCR plan to help children in moderate wage families? They could both be classed as disabled - he has hearing problems and she has a "club" foot - does that make a difference?

Now if the rest of Americans could have access to the same plan you have...

PS. When did Medicare Part D become part of the health care reform? It has been in place before Obama took office. Hard to follow the logic here. Or am I off my rocker ?

I have a feeling many people, like the author of the OP, are realizing that the "fear tactics" were utter bs; they are actually benefiting in a real way from reforms under the "Affordable Health Care for America Act".

Something like this needs to be broadcast everywhere with details. Premiums have decreased from $60 to $6 a month and here's why. but, the OP won't give any details.

BTW, I am married to a health care professional thus why my question as what the OP is referring has been enabled for a while now, please stick to the question with actual facts not hand waving PR stuff.

In my new-ness, I replied to the wrong person.

Once again, my apologies.

My reply was to the rebate checks.

But since you're married to a health care professional, please..........will someone here, and if you can do it please do, share with everyone how premiums have decreased under the affordable heatlh care reform? I am completely baffled. I have not seen, nor has anyone I know seen anything resembling a premium decrease in any way. Please....please...elaborate with details. This information needs to be told to everyone.

That's what I responded to. Those are the facts. So put away the lame denials and debbie downerisms; google medicare part d and rebate checks.

Smile. In the end, we all benefit. Cheers!

For people, like two of my elderly family members, whose medications exceed the cost allotted by their coverage under Medicare D, that check may buy one week of medications. It's better than nothing, but won't help people who cannot afford their medications anyhow.

I am glad some people will be helped by this bill. Of course for every American helped by the bill, the corrupt Insurance Industry makes a profit. It is like paying protection money in order to get some benefits.

The 'good' parts of the bill were designed to start happening before the 2010 and 2012 elections. The rest of the bill won't go into effect for several years so it will be a long time before people realize how little reform there actually is.

I do know people who will benefit from this and I am glad about that, but since there are so many more who will not, it's hard to have the attitude that 'well, it's good for me so screw everyone else'. Not to mention the fact that the bill did nothing to lessen the influence of the corrupt Private Industry on our health care. That is an abomination that should have been dealt with. They will still take off the top, at least 20% in profits (and as much more as they can manipulate out of the system), money that should be going directly to health care.

A great opportunity was lost. And I guess they calculated correctly that if a few people benefitted, all would be forgiven. Too few people care enough about others once they get what they want. Which is why we are still being held captive to a corrupt industry that allows tens of thousands of American to die each year for profit. All is now forgiven, and those hundreds of thousand of people will get no justice. Their killers have been rewarded.

I thought Obama was the anti-christ. That's what some folks have been saying anyway.

Good luck.

Try again...

but can't we try to get congress to amend the bill later? At least we got our foot in the door.

and yes! Progress happens step-by-step. This was a major one (in that it planted the seeds for reform), even though some have not realized it yet.

that demonstrate the positive in Obama's health care!

little less a month than when she was working. Oh, and she gets a $25.00 "bonus" thru her unemployment too. I guess someone is actually benefitting... US!!!!

:shrug:

I'm very please for you, though I disagree that the President had a great success with Health Insurance Reform, I'm am very happy to hear about the positive impact the legislation has had on a person who needed help. :)

Your premiums went from $60 a month to $6. Did you qualify for a low-income subsidy, did you change plans, what exactly happened? You could help a lot of other people here if you could give us the skinny.

hole and have to incur substantial out of pocket expenses. That's why I was in favor of eliminating the donut hole altogether right away, but of course our great Democrats in Congress wouldn't do that.

there was suppose to be supplements available for those who hit the donut hole and can't afford their bills. Just to tide things over until it goes away.

But many of those same people will continue to struggle once they go through that $250, which will happen really fast. I don't mean to seem negative about this. I understand those who say some progress is better than nothing. But we have to keep the pressure on them to make a lot more improvements, and I am not going to just sit back and say "thank you Mr. president." I am saying "we need a lot more than that Mr. President."

For me I'd rather start with a flawed bill that will start helping some people than nothing at all. We can always work on it some more. Great legislation takes time to build

My nephew who is out of high school and working 3 jobs while he figures out what he wants to do with his life - he can go back on his parents health insurance plan for another 6 years. He is paying his parents for his share, which is far far far cheaper and much better quality than anything he could ever buy on his own.

Thank you for sharing this story with us!

Please start attacking because I'm a new poster (I've been lurking for a long time).

When you have such great news, it is of the best benefit to everyone else to share the details on how you were able to decrease premiums from $60 to $6.

This would help everyone. Please provide very very specific details on how you decreased your premium from $60 to $6 when the health reform bill has not yet been implemented.

Also, to the poster who claims a 21 year old child is now able to be included on the parent's policy --- not yet. That provision is also not in force, nor will it be until September. You're aware of that, aren't you?

gradually. The first stage would decrease co-pays in the donut hole to a 50% co-pay and slowly decrease until it came down to the standard Medicare part D co-pay of 25% in a few years. I also don't remember anything reducing co-pays for those not in the donut hole. This is weird.

thanks for the welcome. I enjoy reading the thoughtful and informative posts here, however when something smells, it's always bothered me Today's just the day I decided to register.

When someone can help others with details on how to save on health care, by all means, share!

is causing reading difficulties.

The poster, who as you put it, "claimed" their 21 year old can stay on their policy said this:

Without this bill, she and I were both screwed come her graduation.


The daughter is just now going into her senior year, as the post clearly stated, so that provision will be in place when she graduates.

I'm so happy to hear it. Thanks for posting! :-)

http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8059.pdf
EXPLAINING HEALTH CARE REFORM:
Key Changes to the Medicare Part D Drug Benefit Coverage Gap

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law
(P.L. 111-148). The health care reform law, which incorporates changes made by the Health Care and Education
Reconciliation Act of 2010, makes several important changes to the Medicare Part D drug benefit to reduce Part
D enrollees’ out-of-pocket liability when they reach the coverage gap, known as the “doughnut hole.”
**************************************************************************************************************************

I think the OP might have qualified for a low-income subsidy which is, of course, great for them.

**************************************************************************************************************************
This is another good link for general info
http://www.healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief.php?brief_id=17

In all of my time of lurking here, this is what has always frustrated me the most. I have seen some awesome ideas here and stories of help received by people, but when asked for details, the OP usually disappears and stops posting.

Premiums aren't being reduced, and the details on how someone else can benefit from the same thing the OP benefitted from would be so helpful!

One thing this forum does more than anything is provide help for average people. Please, please........let's have the details, the specifics so we can help others.

$250 rebates for donut hole coverage doesn't reduce premiums.

Part D premiums in general are actually expected to rise

***********************************************************************************************************************************
http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Daily-Reports/2010/May/21/Research-roundup.aspx

May 21, 2010

Health Affairs: Lessons Learned: Who Didn't Enroll In Medicare Drug Coverage In 2006, And Why? – With data from the 2005 and 2006 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, this study examines enrollment of those who were previously without either public or private sources of prescription drug coverage. The authors report "63 percent of all eligible seniors and 69 percent of low-income beneficiaries were enrolled in Part D in 2006. However, only 29 percent of low-income beneficiaries were enrolled in the subsidy program, leaving millions without coverage."

"Although the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 will have far-reaching effects on extending insurance coverage, it could have mixed effects on Part D enrollment. ... Because these provisions will ultimately raise Part D premiums, albeit for improved coverage, they may have the perverse impact of reducing applications for nonsubsidized Part D plans and may affect applications for the low-income subsidy for beneficiaries with incomes of 135–150 percent of the federal poverty level" (Davidoff et al., 5/13).

**********************************************************************************************************************************

Interesting.

I just with the OP would give us specific details. Presmiums will increase for many but the OP's already decreased by 90%?

It would help others.

my aunt, who is 84 y.o. will have to have all this explained to her by her daughter, and it's doubtful that she'd be able to explain it to anyone else. You're badgering the o.p. for details he/she may not be able to articulate. The o.p., whom I understand, has muscular dystrophy is just elated that his/her prescription expenses have just become more affordable, which will probably free up much needed funds for other necessities. Can't you just be happy that the o.p.'s happy?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

.

If your drop in premiums is lower because of Obama, maybe his rise in costs is also because of Obama! :eyes:

People seem to forget that.

... and I have no clue why but here are the details I can offer...

I have Multiple Sclerosis and am on disability. Here in Massachusetts, I am qualified for food stamps (from the state) and Medicare (from the federal govt.) I am not qualified for the Mass Health plan because I already have Medicare with Part D. My part D is covered by RX America for Medicare.

All I know is that when I went to pick up my meds last week, my co-pays had suddenly dropped dramatically. For example... my Gabapentin went from $60.00 for 120 pills to $20.00. My Baclofen went from $20.00 for 60 pills to $4.00.

I have no clue whether the "heavy-hitter" drugs for my disease (immunosuppressants.) have changed because I am too afraid to take them anyway. They are a different "tiered" drug according to the RX America guide.

All I know is that I was utterly surprised by the drop in price for the other drugs. It came with no warning at all and I have no idea what caused it. I honestly thought it was an error my insurance company would come back to haunt me about later. We'll see what happens when I go to pick up my meds next month.

just as well. Good health to you.:toast:

Good health to you as well and let's hope we can eventually get those congresscritters to consider some legislation with a strong public option.

One foot in the door...

is doing somebody some good.

There were many who loved their new benefits and thanked Bush W. for Medicare part D (mostly pharma thanked him).
The moral of this story should be that one persons gain does not spell victory in healthcare AT all. And like Medicare part D, this healthcare bill was a corporate giveaway for Pharma (drug importation BLOCKED), Insurance companies (Mandate), and Hospitals (Public option Sold out).
Very happy to hear you got your meds cheaper, But I wont cheer for this reform until Everyone gets their fair share.
Thats the way we get real change and real progress.
Good luck and good health to you.

I know one person that this bill have helped,I'm truly happy for that person too.

This bill is much better than the haters want people to know. They didnt get what they want, so they spread lies about the bill.

By the end of August, we will have children who graduated college getting healthcare when they would not have before and we have the seniors getting help with the donut hole now. That is going to be a lot of people who feel better about Health Care Reform and that is only the beginning.

Too bad we can't all be on medicare. Maybe someday.