Posted on 11/15/2003 5:13:35 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican congressional leaders said they sealed a tentative agreement Saturday on a new prescription drug benefit for the nation's seniors, the largest expansion in Medicare's history. "We have come to an agreement on principle," Senate Majority Bill Frist said. Talks that lasted most of the day smoothed over the last remaining wrinkles in the bill, including a proposal to have traditional Medicare compete directly with new private insurance plans and a plan to encourage employers to maintain drug coverage for retirees, officials said. The agreement ends months of negotiations over the drug benefit and a broad reworking of the Medicare program to give private insurers a new large role in health care for 40 million older and disabled Americans. It must win approval of House and Senate negotiators, many of whom have been meeting for months in search of a compromise. The legislation would then go to the full House and Senate, where tough questions await.
Join the crowd my friend.
Between the two of you I am confident that I surpass your perscription needs, I however have earned through my labor and business input the opportunity of shared costs with my employer and thanks to our superior health care capabilities, I am still tarnishing the ground with my footsteps.
Hand it over to the Government and IMHO one can throw individual care out the window...well 50% of it anyway for at least that much will be applied to bureaucratic snafu.
___________________________________________________________________________________ From:
http://www.hep-c-alert.org/vetalert/vetva.html
"...to qualify for free care based on income alone, veterans must have an annual income of $22,064 or less and annual income plus net worth of less than $50,000, if they do not have family members depending on them.
For veterans who are married, or are single with a dependant family member, the maximum annual income to qualify for free care is $26,480; their annual income plus net worth also must be less than $50,000..."
____________________________________________________________________________________ Now that same person who retires and goes on Social Security but meets the above requirement , they can now opt out of Medicare part B. (and save the monthly premium of $58.70 for part B, as in 2003)
Said persons can now go straight to the nearest VA hospital, sign up for and receive for life, free medical care as to, doctors, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. Now I personally know of people who brag about hiding assets so as to qualify for this free care. They do not give a tinkers damn about cheating, overloading the VA hospital system and in doing so deprive those who truly earned and deserve only the best of care for their sacrifices made and injuries suffered while serving in the military.
With the liberal income allowance and a little finagling of net worth, it is no problem for thousands upon thousands to cheat the system. I would bet this aspect of the VA system is seldom if ever given close scrutiny.
Our economy is a wreck!
Almost half of our national debt is owned by foreigners (mostly the Chinese).
Debt personal and national is destroying America.
This new entitlement will worsen the worst.
If you move fast, you may be able to acquire a very high paying job! As it is going, Terry Macaliffe, is soon to be axed so you could apply for his position, I presume he is well taken care of with his medical issues....That way you would be able to disconcern yourself with government spending.
I assume you are terminal at a young age?
If not, if you get your way with your concern for the elderly, I hope your palet can handle $hit.
I'm starting to wonder if it isn't better to accelerate the train. I'm running out of years and I do want to participate in returning this country to its constitutional roots.
If so, I hope you vote wisely.
Alternatives are hard to come by nowadays donchya' know.
You said it all with one word...newbie.
Let the games begin!
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