Posted on 07/09/2013 11:15:43 AM PDT by Bob Ireland
For some years I have listened to Rush Limbaugh, and heard him picture Medicare recipients as some sort of ungrateful leaches sucking off of the public dole. He characterizes them as resisting having to pay a dime for their medical coverage.
Being a fan of Rush, I have tolerated this misguidance on his part and sent him e-mails [I am 24-7 member] trying to save him from being caught in a 'lie'. He has never responded to these e-mails - for whatever reason.
Then yesterday - Monday - he mentioned a story about the Congress considering a bill to make Medicare recipients pay 'a few pennies' for their medical coverage - and the bill going down to defeat. I simply cannot remain silent in the face of this total fabrication.
I have been on Medicare for 15 years. My Medicare Part B presently costs me a little pocket change short of $100 a month - a little less that $1,200 a year. That money is deducted out of my Social Security check before I ever receive it. That benefit offers to pay 80% of my allowable medical bills, and I am responsible for the other 20%.
In my case - since I look at government programs with a jaundiced eye - I have signed my Medicare obligations over to a private HMO [called an Advantage Plan]. However, Obama's health care plan has drained the Medicare treasury by hundreds of billions of dollars; therefore the future of the program is in question. In some states I understand the Advantage Plans have already been canceled. Many doctors and hospitals are trying to figure how to get free of Medicare since the Medicare payments are either delayed, diminished or missing altogether. I still cannot be sure my HMO will be part of Medicare next year.
BUT, back to the main theme of this article: How many FReepers pay $1,200 a year for their medical insurance? Probably some do; likely most do not. I am not complaining about paying for my health care - I voluntarily and happily pay the premium.
Furthermore, if it becomes a matter of saving the dollar from total collapse I would accept the cancellation of Medicare altogether. Just stop charging me $100 a month and send the program into the Bermuda Triangle. I have led a fruitful life. HOWEVER, under Obama's healthcare program, that cannot happen. My Medicare could be cancelled and I could be set with the old Indian squaw by the side of the road to waste away - but I would still have to pay my health care premium in order to provide health care for younger folk.
Would someone who can get through to Rush Limbaugh get these points across to him - if he is really interested - so that people can understand the truth about Medicare - not a bunch of myths and misrepresentations.
As I say, my Medicare is administered by a private insurance company. I suspect that one reason Medicare is so far in the red is because of about 60% fraud... which no private insurance company could sustain. Perhaps I am wrong about the level of fraud in Medicare.
Rhetorical question, isn't it?
I'd rather go to federal prison... and then my healthcare would be free! :-D
For the umpteenth time, that is because I have turned my Medicare over to a private insurance company. If they are losing money, I encourage them to get out and leave me without coverage.
I sometimes wonder if fraud does not comprise about 60% of Medicare costs... don't know tho.
Your premium nowhere covers the cost of the coverage. In fact, I've read that Medicare recipients, between payroll deduction and premiums, cover only 25% of the cost of the insurance.
I could search for it, but I'm lazy...
Actually, many MediCARE beneficiaries are also on MediCAID. It’s a common tactic to apply for MediCAID to cover long-term skilled nursing facility charges, aka nursing homes, because MediCARE has a strict limit on SNF.
The topic is very complex but one thing is simple fourth grade math: people do NOT pay enough in taxes over their working years to match the claims submitted for their care on MediCARE.
Additionally, you can thank Obamacare for killing the Medicare Advantage program. Look it up.
As I read it, your question is about Medicaid... I know nothing about Medicaid, but suspect you have confused the two programs. Given the overwhelming misunderstanding and animosity on this thread, perhaps you got caught up in the dust-up.
Well, at least you feel sorry for me.
har har har!
For putting up with A-holes like me? Yeah.
an aarp troll?
You aren't Bill Gates, are you? ;-D
Shhh! (No, Warren Buffett. I picked on Gates because I am reasonably sure he worked for wages the necessary number of consecutive quarters to qualify. I’m not that sure about Warren.)
Probably...lol.... I thought I may have posted on the grumpy old men thread....
I really pay little attention to the social programs.... Trying to learn ...
Actually you don't know about my premium vs costs... I might not be costing them anything. Besides, as I keep saying, I turned the administration of my Medicare costs over to a private insurance company; if they are losing money then they should get out!
I think you are correct about trolling.
Oh, it’s a losing investment, but if I *HAVE* to invest, I would like SOME return. ;o)
Sounds to me like that's what you yourself are trying to lay on him..........
As a side note, don't you have anyone else you can blame other than Rush? Like maybe the feds??????
Sheesh, some people need to get a life........
You are a leech.
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