Republican plan to eliminate Medicare

[Riot]

The Republicans are going ahead with their plan to eliminate Medicare, having seniors pay for most of their own care, and in favor of giving that insurance business to private corporations.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Ryan's proposal would apply to those currently under the age of 55, and for those Americans would convert Medicare into a "premium support" system. Participants from that group would choose from an array of private insurance plans when they reach 65 and become eligible, and the government would pay about the first $15,000 in premiums.

An interesting aside: why are the GOP so angry and against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act subsidizing health insurance costs for some to purchase private policies, when it's exactly what they want to do with Medicare for everyone in the country?

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Riot

The Republicans are going ahead with their plan to eliminate Medicare, having seniors pay for most of their own care, and in favor of giving that insurance business to private corporations.

From the Wall Street Journal:



An interesting aside: why are the GOP so angry and against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act subsidizing health insurance costs for some to purchase private policies, when it's exactly what they want to do with Medicare for everyone in the country?

So what this is saying is that those of us still working will continue to pay for the Medicare for the older folks, but when we turn 65, won't get anything ourselves?

Wow. I wasn't aware I was so selfless.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

So what this is saying is that those of us still working will continue to pay for the Medicare for the older folks, but when we turn 65, won't get anything ourselves?

Wow. I wasn't aware I was so selfless.

Thank you Genuine Risk, I appreciate it!

[Riot]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

So what this is saying is that those of us still working will continue to pay for the Medicare for the older folks, but when we turn 65, won't get anything ourselves?

Wow. I wasn't aware I was so selfless.

Don't worry - the Republicans are making sure that the insurance companies will get new business from this!

April 4, 2011, 8:21 am
Paul Krugman- NYT
Privatizing Medicare

So they’re really going to propose it.

More when we have some details. But two key points:

1. Privatizing and voucherizing Medicare does nothing whatsoever to control costs. We’ve seen that from the sorry history of Medicare Advantage. I’m sure that the Republicans will claim savings — but those savings will come entirely from limiting the vouchers to below the rate of rise in health care costs; in effect, they will come from denying medical care to those who can’t afford to top up their premiums.

Oh, and for all those older Americans who voted GOP last year because those nasty Democrats were going to cut Medicare, I have just one word: suckers!

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Thank you Genuine Risk, I appreciate it!

And your appreciation will keep me warm when I and the rest of what once was the middle class are eating cat food 20 years from now.

Oh wait, no it won't. We're f*cked. Thanks, GOP voters!

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

And your appreciation will keep me warm when I and the rest of what once was the middle class are eating cat food 20 years from now.

Oh wait, no it won't. We're f*cked. Thanks, GOP voters!

Dog food is cheaper....if somehow I'm still around, I'll clip coupons for ya!

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Dog food is cheaper....if somehow I'm still around, I'll clip coupons for ya!

Thanks, Somer; you're a real pal, but without dental care, I don't see how I'll be able to chew it.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Thanks, Somer; you're a real pal, but without dental care, I don't see how I'll be able to chew it.

Stick to cans, you can gum it!

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Stick to cans, you can gum it!

You're assuming I'll be able to afford a can opener.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

You're assuming I'll be able to afford a can opener.

A pointed rock?

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Thanks, Somer; you're a real pal, but without dental care, I don't see how I'll be able to chew it.

Government doesn't subsidize dental.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by Coach Pants

Government doesn't subsidize dental.

This is true. Nor do a lot of private health plans, as I'm reminded every time I pay for my checkup.

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

A pointed rock?

I think that's just going to dent the can, which will make the dog food spoil sooner.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

I think that's just going to dent the can, which will make the dog food spoil sooner.

You can buy small cans with a pop top so just pull the little ring and enjoy!

[GenuineRisk]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

You can buy small cans with a pop top so just pull the little ring and enjoy!

Well, that would work. But you know, in the end, I'd rather have the same safety net I'm providing to your generation. If I had my choice, which it looks like I won't.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GenuineRisk

Well, that would work. But you know, in the end, I'd rather have the same safety net I'm providing to your generation. If I had my choice, which it looks like I won't.

Republicans still need the Senate and White House....

This is a no-win situation. Cuts need to be made but how severe? You can't get rid of medicare completely. It would be akin to the government putting crack cocaine in the ghetto and then removing it in 10 years.


The young working class of this country are basically paying for their parents and grandparents to live longer. Well with longer life comes expense. Most of us love our elders. We love them too much. They're killing us.

[paulo537]

End Medicare.

End Social Security.

If you're old and don't have sufficient means, your children take care of you.

If you have no children or if they won't or can't take care of you, then you go into the mountains or woods and lay down to die.

This is how things work in most of the world; why not here?

But this is America, so we should probably give them a pretty big bottle of strong narcotic pills to make their final journey more pleasant.

[Indian Charlie]

One could always take responsibility for their health, stop eating ****, stop taking meds and break away from our health care system entirely (except for traumas).

You know, kinda like how the human race used to exist until the last 75 years.

And don't give me that crap about how life expectancy has gone up due to drugs, vaccines, etc.

Guesstimates...

Part A&B once you're paid in and not making over like 100k (I believe) the part B premium is $115/month 80% coverage...Medicare Supplement to cover the other 20% say worst cast $250/month.

If you told me, outside of prescription coverage, that I could get 100% paid-for health coverage for $365 a month I would do f.ucking cartwheels naked in the town square and jizz all over the war memorial each month.

No wonder why Medicare is broke.