Seniors medical costs rising at six times federal adjustment

[missile_bender]

From the Daytona Beach News Journal

This year promises to be an exercise in stretching pennies for Larry Davis and 101,157 other seniors in Volusia and Flagler counties.

Like all the nation's retirees, the 70-year-old's Social Security check is going up 2.1 percent this year -- about $16.90 a month for him -- but his monthly Medicare costs are increasing six times that rate. Nearly half his cost-of-living raise from the government is spoken for. A 13.5 percent jump in his Medicare premium, now $66.60 a month, comes to $7.90 more per person. With $9 extra to meet other, rising costs, he's worried about losing ground overall.

"Everywhere I turn, everyone wants more money," said Davis, who also receives retirement benefits from the U.S. Army.

This is the largest Medicare premium rate increase since 1993, affecting about 41.7 million beneficiaries, most of them 65 and older. The bump in rates -- which policymakers agree is likely to continue for years -- has Davis, the grandfather of 12, steaming.

--more

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You former hippie baby-boomers better get back to the protest line, pronto.

It's so simple. Unviersal health care for anyone over 65 and under 18. Do it. We can afford it. We're already paying for it. It's better than allowing Bush Inc. to launder the tax money through Halliburton etc.

BTW, the Daytona Beach News Journal is one of the best small town papers in the world.

Unembedded.com

[indepat]

1. By law, the rate of increase in the Medicare premium should be no greater

the rate of increase in the Social Security annuity. See, that wasn't too hard.

[0007]

2. My BlueCross BlueShield (supplemental Insurance) has gone out sight

It has doubled in over three years. What percentage is that on a yearly basic? This senior is pissed and sees nothing changing anytime too soon.

As a vertran I do get some bennies that do help. But how many seniors do?

[cthrumatrix]

3. there is no inflation....greenspan and company said so....move on

[Pegleg Thd]

4. Here in Oklahoma

we are being required to pay for medical procedures that medicare/medicaid said they would pay last year.

[Mari333]

5. My 77 year old mom filed for bankruptcy

She doesnt deserve this at her age. She lives in a house I own in Indiana...I pay her taxes , etc and thats my retirement monies doing it..I just have to let her have the last years of her life be good ones, despite *. Bastards are killing the poorest, the oldest, and the children.

[The Zanti Regent]

6. Supply Side Jesus at Work!

Amazing how Many Republican CLergy BS about Jesus but follow Ayn Rand.

Survival of the Fittest, y'know?????

[twilight]

7. killing off the disabled too

Disabled Americans are on Medicare as well in some cases.

Its bad enough having to forfeit my entire pension and pay money out for the coverage.

In California I just found out yesterday that the Medicare subsidy that some State retirees have been receiving because all of the HMOs packed up and left and all you have as an option to enroll in now are these pricey plans is now the subject of argument.

The Medicare subsidy is probably a thing of the past as well I think. Last I heard, its being fought out with the bargainning units. That may take forever! Those small subsidies helped to pay the outrageous premiums if you save them up. That is what I was doing but now thats gone too - another ~$800.00 a year. No more extra money for anything extra now for so many.

No one gets rich on Social Security. Medicare benefits are dwindling and the premiums are going up and up. I dread thinking about the possibility of living another 20 years. I am sure that should please the greedy masses looking out only for themselves and no on else. It has become a very sad a depressing reality for me and others too I am sure. What can we do? I feel so powerless! :(

Thanks a lot Ahnuld! :mad: :grr: :mad: :grr: