Healthcare Townhall

Discussion in 'Sun City General Discussions' started by 5thd, Sep 24, 2018.

  1. 5thd

    5thd Member

  2. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    Dr. Tipirneni has a great grasp of the health care issues. The tragedy of the past 10 years has been reshaped and defined by the republicans claiming the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has caused health care rates to spike. The simple reality is that health care costs have been spiraling out of control since the 1990's. Think not, go check the stats? Inflation rates for health care were going crazy for years before the ACA.

    The costs hikes under the ACA were in part because there were far more people covered, especially for those who needed it the most and because it was real coverage, not just major med policies with ridiculous out of pocket co-pays. Throw in the shameful profits taken by insurance companies selling the policies and one quickly can see why our health care costs in this country are so far below the standards found in most other industrialized nations of the world.

    Tipireni's platform is to give access to all to buy medicare. Nope, not free coverage, but access. Medicare's bureaucracy (cost of administration) is way less than delivery systems from most insurance providers. Imagine if we took the for-profit incentives out of play, or at least made them competitive, what a difference it could make.
     
    5thd and Emily Litella like this.
  3. 5thd

    5thd Member

    By Leaps and Bounds the better candidate
     
    Emily Litella likes this.
  4. BPearson

    BPearson Well-Known Member

    The debate(s) should show us the clear differences in style and platforms.
     
  5. SCR

    SCR Active Member

    Although I think Hiral Tiperneni has a very sound platform, I have to question the idea of allowing anyone to buy into the Medicare system.

    First, if you work and pay FICA taxes, you have already bought into Medicare. You just can’t use it till you turn 65.

    Even after you start receiving Medicare, you still pay a premium.

    If you do not work and have no history of paying FICA taxes (which includes Medicare taxes), and have not paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you are not eligible for Medicare.

    There is NO “well run” government entitlement program.

    Medicare lost approximately 60 billion to fraud in 2017.

    Passing legislation to allow anyone to buy-in to Medicare will take years to enact if at all.

    Congress does not have a credible history of being able to craft intelligent legislation with regard to entitlement programs.

    Medicare and Social Security are both under attack by our legislators.

    Medicare only covers 80% of the cost of care so anyone buying in would still need supplemental insurance.

    Health care costs have been steadily rising year after year. The ACA had nothing to do with the rise in the cost of health care. If you believe the government that fewer and fewer people are enrolling in the ACA then why aren’t health care costs coming down? The health care providers set the price for care and health insurance providers dictate what care you receive, how much you receive, how you receive it, and how much you pay.

    Medicare for all would definitely bankrupt Medicare.

    We would wind up with at least 2 different standards for Medicare, and possibly more.

    Grandfathered recipients (those already receiving Medicare).

    Those who are allowed to buy-in.

    It would become an administrative nightmare rife with fraud and the government is not capable of dealing with fraud.

    The largest health care provider in the US is overwhelmed with patients with too few doctors and facilities to handle their users. It has also been routinely criticized for its less than adequate care of its patients and has been the discussion of many a lawmaker, yet it is still struggling. Just imagine if Medicare were to become a healthcare for all institution.

    Taking Medicare private would be even worse. Cost for healthcare coverage would skyrocket, deductibles would increase, and coverage would also decrease.

    The Medicare system right now is working (even with all the fraud), but adding millions to the Medicare rolls will sadly deteriorate to a point no one will even want it.

    There are too many questions regarding Medicare for all that have to be answered before it can even be brought to the floor of Congress.

    I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – healthcare costs will continue to rise every year with no relief in site.
     
  6. pegmih

    pegmih Well-Known Member

    I just received information regarding my BlueCross/BlueShield Advntage Plan.
    Once again yearly premium went up. Only $4 this time!
    It is still a good plan.
     
  7. Cynthia

    Cynthia Well-Known Member

    :p
     

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