White House meeting with Cantor on Medicare cuts

[markpkessinger]

This makes me feel like I want to vomit.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/06/20/white-house-meeting-with-cantor-on-medicare-cuts/

[DrDan]

1. perhaps we can offer up some medicare cuts in exchange for tax cuts for the wealthy

everyone wins

[Angry Dragon]

5. NO!!

[DrDan]

10. it was a joke - read it

[Cleita]

7. I really don't know where traditional Medicare can be cut anymore.

They could repeal Medicare Parts C and D, which is where the waste is. But that would cut the private insurance and HMOs and Big PhRMA out of their cushy little government welfare gig. The lobbyists would be screaming like stuck pigs. I believe a new pharmacy bill could be introduced that is run more like the VA where there is price bargaining power and that would cut down a lot of expense that is draining the fund. I believe people who want a supplementary insurance run by the government instead of the market would be happy to pay for such a policy and that could be a reformed Medicare Part C. However, I know common sense solutions like this wouldn't happen and the politicians are happy to attack those who are least able to fight back, our elderly.

[DrDan]

13. agree completely - my post was cynical - it is the type of trade that is

indicative of our bargaining skills.

[Cleita]

14. Oh, sorry I didn't see it.

Maybe the sarcasm emoticon would help those who are a bit thick in the head like myself. :rofl:

[DrDan]

15. that's ok - I read posts way too fast most of the time

it seems so sarcastic to me that I fail to see the need for the emoticon. That is my fault. I shall try to use it better.

[somone]

2. The White House will fight very hard - in 2016

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. Not even then.

x(

[eyesroll]

4. Hm...

"Republicans are pushing hard for a deal that reduces the scope of Medicare. House and Senate Democratic leaders have said they will refuse to accept any cuts to beneficiaries, but are willing to seek savings in areas of waste, fraud and over-payments to drug companies. Republicans remain wary of the White House's desire to include revenue increases in the deal."

I don't see a problem with cuts in waste, fraud, and overpayments. There is nothing in this article except the headline and some speculation by the writer --"It's unclear whether the White House will agree to any cuts for beneficiaries"--that actually suggests the White House is discussing beneficiary cuts.

[Telly Savalas]

18. Yeah, it's more bullshit from the "Fuck the Facts" cadre

Fits in nice with the right-wing strategy of undermining critical debate in this country by distorting and ignoring facts.

[DesertFlower]

6. medicare for all might be a solution.

seniors do go to doctors, but most young people might only have a yearly physical. if they could buy into medicare (on a sliding scale basis) it might solve the problem.

of course, i doubt whether this will ever happen in my lifetime. i'm almost 70.

[Cleita]

8. It is THE solution. I don't think it will be in my lifetime

either and we are about the same age. Pity. I've been wanting health care for all since I was in my middle twenties and was working in a health insurance agency. I realized then what a scam it was. I started researching what other countries did and have been trying to interest both elected representatives and the public at large to do something about it and that's been for forty-five years, yet we are hardly one step ahead than we were back then starting from scratch.

[DesertFlower]

11. i didn't have health care for many years.

when my son was born i went through the hospital's clinic. i think it cost around $100. that was in '61. i'm old enough for medicare but hubby is still working and his plan is better right now, but i feel comfortable knowing that medicare is there for me when i need it.

my friend is almost 66 but her husband is 63. she has to keep working to keep him covered on her policy. she pays almost $700 a month. he has diabetes and is very overweight. she's tired and doesn't make that much. said most of it goes for health care and a health care reimbursement account.

another friend is almost 54. has been unemployed for more than 2 years. his unemployment ended a few months ago. he doesn't have health care either.

when the CEO of united health care is making 22 million a year it shows how much profit is made.

[theaocp]

9. Cantor's a serious dude.

Gotta meet with the serious folk who know what they're talking about. :eyes:

[peace frog]

12. Get ready, here it comes

Capitulation time. Breathe, everybody. :scared:

[bahrbearian]

16. This is a good time Obama can show Canter how far he can bend over backwards.

[Telly Savalas]

19. Where do you get that from the article?

[QC]

17. So hopeful!!!