General Discussion

eridani

(51,907 posts) Sun Jul 26, 2015, 03:33 AM Jul 2015

Robert Reich: Happy Birthday Medicare

http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/07/25/happy-birthday-medicare/

Medicare turns fifty next week. It was signed into law July 30, 1965 – the crowning achievement of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. It’s more popular than ever.

Yet Medicare continues to be blamed for America’s present and future budget problems. That’s baloney.

A few days ago Jeb Bush even suggested phasing it out. Seniors already receiving benefits should continue to receive them, he said, but “we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something, because they’re not going to have anything.”

Bush praised Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to give seniors vouchers instead. What Bush didn’t say was that Ryan’s vouchers wouldn’t keep up with increases in medical costs – leaving seniors with less coverage.

The fact is, Medicare isn’t the problem. In fact, it’s the solution.

Its costs are being pushed upward by the rising costs of health care overall – which have slowed somewhat since the Affordable Care Act was introduced but are still rising faster than inflation.

Medicare costs are also rising because of the growing ranks of boomers becoming eligible for Medicare.

5 replies

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Robert Reich: Happy Birthday Medicare (Original Post) eridani Jul 2015 OP

Yes, Happy Birthday, Medicare! Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2015 #1

If you had stayed 2 more seconds - LiberalElite Jul 2015 #3

Thank you! Dark n Stormy Knight Jul 2015 #4

Thank you Medicare for saving my life twice katmondoo Jul 2015 #2

Without Medicare HeiressofBickworth Jul 2015 #5

Dark n Stormy Knight

(9,776 posts)

1. Yes, Happy Birthday, Medicare!

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 04:00 AM

Jul 2015

But I can't read the article at the link. I will always immediately close a page that immediately throws a pop-up at me. I've been on your site one and a half seconds and you want me to sign up? No. I barely know you!

LiberalElite

(14,691 posts)

3. If you had stayed 2 more seconds -

Reply to Dark n Stormy Knight (Reply #1)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 09:28 AM

Jul 2015

you would have seen a second pop-up. I'm not kidding. Yes, it's annoying but I don't mind clicking on the X - it's fun! Esp if you curse at the same time.

http://www.nationofchange.org/2015/07/25/happy-birthday-medicare/

Pop-up free - here ya go!

Dark n Stormy Knight

(9,776 posts)

4. Thank you!

Reply to LiberalElite (Reply #3)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 05:00 PM

Jul 2015

I like that link.

katmondoo

(6,457 posts)

2. Thank you Medicare for saving my life twice

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 09:24 AM

Jul 2015

Without you I would not have been able to afford to see a doctor. I would have died 15 years ago. I thank you for my life.

HeiressofBickworth

(2,682 posts)

5. Without Medicare

Reply to eridani (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 06:11 PM

Jul 2015

I would have checked out 18 months ago and my family left homeless and penniless. I was in the hospital 6 times in 3 months and had a number of complications, the most severe of which was congestive heart failure. Just ONE of those hospitalizations was over $250,000! I am not wealthy, or even well-off. I have a house and some savings, but that's it. Without Medicare, I would have died for lack of affordable care and my family, who live with me in MY house, would have lost the house and my savings, just to pay for that one event.

At this time, I completely recovered from the congestive heart failure event, my health (while not the best) is at least stable and I am able to afford doctors to monitor and treat my condition. My home and my retirement savings are secure.

So, I say, with a full and grateful heart: HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEDICARE!!!!!

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