Donald Trump Changes Views on Medicare: "It's Actually a Program that's Worked"

ABC ^ | 10/27/15 | John Santucci

[Eric Pode of Croydon]

Trump has never said he wants to abolish Medicare.

It's not necessary to say "I want to abolish Medicare", but any candidate with integrity would be willing to openly discuss the fact that Medicare is completely unsound on an actuarial basis and that it will crash unless it undergoes (sorry) major surgery.

To his credit, Chris Christie is the only one running who speaks the truth on this.

Huckabee has been in full Santa Claus mode, and it looks like Trump is moving in that direction.

[cripplecreek]

Actually a good indication of where Ted Cruz is going with health care can be found in his Michigan Campaign chair.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3044257/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3055528/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3049245/posts

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I don’t know how to break it to you, but Medicare is national health care. Nobody can compete with Medicare. Supplement it, yes - but compete with it? No chance. You become eligible for Medicare, nobody will sell you a HC policy which doesn’t require you to make Medicare primary insurance.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Social Security either is now, or soon will be, in negative cash flow. It will be requiring drawdown of the “Social Security Trust Fund.” Since that’s “invested in safe government bonds,” the Federal Treasury has to pony up the money - exactly as if there were no “Trust Fund."

[Iron Munro]

“Evolve”

Yes.

Perfect.

[sparklite2]

Then raise premiums or means test it. But don’t end Medicare.

[CA Conservative]

You hitched your wagon to a loser and are now throwing a tantrum. I guess that makes you a loser as well.

Ah, the ad hominem personal attack - the hallmark of the Trumpkin. Go away, child - adults are busy talking.

[Pikachu_Dad]

I don’t think you are allowed to point out inconsistencies in Trump’s positions - it causes the Trumpkins to tie themselves in knots trying to explain why it shows Trump is such a great leader by changing positions overnight!

But we have always been at war with EastAsia...

/sarc

[JoSixChip]

Ah, the ad hominem personal attack - the hallmark of the Trumpkin. Go away, child - adults are busy talking.

I noticed you didn't address the facts I presented, you just respond with insults. I think that is what they call projection.

[Republican Wildcat]

Any run of the mill surgery will cost over $100k.

Sorry, but that is nowhere near to being correct...not even the core price before any "discounting" based on insurance plans, etc. for "run of the mill surgeries" come anywhere near that amount. Major surgeries requiring a few days of inpatient hospital stay, possibly.

[Republican Wildcat]

I'm sure it will be as well thought out as his vote for TPA and the corker bill.

What about Trump's outspoken support of the Obama stimulus, 'universal' healthcare, continued Planned Parenthood funding because they do so many 'good things', blasting "you conservatives" that we'll "just have to get used to it! Get used to it, conservatives!" in re: to his remark that we have to "take care of everybody" as though conservatives don't care about the wellbeing of people, criticizing Cruz, Rubio, and Paul for not supporting Obama's Syria policy, outspoken support of the disastrous Kelo v. New London Connecticut ruling, etc.?

[JoSixChip]

Words vs deeds. Look, I supported Cruz with my time and money. Right up to when he voted for TPA. You can spin that anyway you want. But for me, I believe he voted for it because he needed money from the big donors. Trump has not been shy about what his plans are, what he is saying is no different then things he also said in the 80s and 90s. Now you can cherry pick through 40 years of available media, ignoring the positives, to find things to criticize him on as well. But I would suggest that look at the whole picture and not just the selected sound bytes. Anyway, my conclusion is that Cruz can be bought, I don’t believe Trump can be. That, and his stated positions clinches it for me.

[cripplecreek]

Trumps support for renewable fuel standards, ethanol subsidies, normalization with cuba.....

Hell, Lindsey Graham is more conservative than Trump.

[AmusedBystander]

Sorry, but that is nowhere near to being correct...not even the core price before any "discounting" based on insurance plans, etc. for "run of the mill surgeries" come anywhere near that amount. Major surgeries requiring a few days of inpatient hospital stay, possibly.

Well I guess the EOB's I got for my spouse's last two were forgeries. One was for a one night hospital stay and between the hospital, surgeon, etc was over $145k and another one was $180k. Even a broken arm through the ER would set you back $6k for a cash payer.

Additionally, you mention insurance plan discounts which is exactly what I said in the beginning. A HSA will not be sufficient to cover anything except deductibles and co-pays because the bulk of the care must be covered by an insurance plan. You need to check with a few family members or friends that have gone through a gall bladder surgery or appendectomy and see what the total was that the insurance company allowed before you call me out. I DO know what I'm talking about.