House Passes Bill to Stop Rise in Medicare Premiums

[Why Syzygy]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125381158357838225.html

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday to eliminate monthly premium increases for millions of Medicare patients next year.

It voted 406 to 18 to send the bill to the Senate, which is expected to act soon.

Lawmakers said older Americans shouldn't have to pay higher Medicare Part B premiums because they aren't expected to get a cost-of-living increase from Social Security.

The vast majority of Medicare recipients already are exempt from Part B premium increases because of a provision that kicks in when there is no increase in Social Security.

Still, several million would face monthly premium increases of $8 to $23 without congressional action. The standard monthly premium is $96.40 this year.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland, in a rare break with fellow Democrats, voted against the measure, saying it would mainly help wealthy Medicare recipients.

"If we take care of everybody, we won't be able to take care of those who need us most," Mr. Hoyer said.

Copyright © 2009 Associated Press

[seafan]

1. Meanwhile, in the Senate, Baucus, Menendez, and Carper vote down filling Medicare Part D donut hole.

Reminds me of what Senator Bernie Sanders said several months ago: 'Big Pharma NEVER loses.'



Baucus, Menendez, and Carper Vote to Defend PhRMA Deal, September 24, 2009

Sen. Bill Nelson proposed an amendment which would fill the Medicare part D dough nut hole. He would pay for the change by making the pharmaceutical industry pay a rebate for the overcharging of dual eligible Medicare/Medicaid seniors. The amendment would fully cover the cost of filling the donut hole and provide an additional $50 billion in government savings. The amendment would violate the secret deal reach between PhRMA, The White House, and Chairman Baucus.

Democratic senators Baucus, Menendez, and Carper voted against the amendment. All Republican senators also voted against the amendment.

Democratic senators Nelson, Rockefeller, Conrad, Lincoln, Bingaman, Schumer, Wyden, Kerry, Stabenow, and Cantwell voted in support of the amendment. The amendment failed 10 to 13.

[Why Syzygy]

3. One of my friends' freeper brother

was using the OP issue against Obama. Yes, even though we know the reason there will be no raise is directly attributable to GW. I sent her the link. I hope it passes the Senate.

They need to fix the donut hole issue as well. Didn't any of them think about the GW messes we expect them to clear up? Seems obvious to me. He was the WORST pRESIDENT EVER; and to think he can skip out of office and the beat goes on is outrageous.

[demosincebirth]

2. Put it on sliding scale. Let the 'rich" retirees pay for their own health care

[Why Syzygy]

4. This is a big deal to people on SS/Medicare.

Without passage of this bill, and no increase (for the first time in history) of payments next year, retired/disabled people were going to have their income go DOWN. There's nothing to be done about the lack of COLA (cost of living adjustment). It is written into the SS law. No one ever thought the income would have a negative, as was the case the last quarter last year. They couldn't imagine a misanthrope such as George Walker Bush.