Medicare premiums to rise 17 percent

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (AP)

Medicare premiums for doctor visits will rise 17% next year, the largest increase in the program's 40-year history, the Bush administration said Friday.

Monthly payments for Part B of the government health care program — doctor visits and most other non-hospital expenses — will jump to $78.20 from $66.60. ..

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Gee, why didn't Bush include this in his speech? n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

2. Determined to kill us

huge deficits and lots to pay back while the rich got payback which they really need to live the good life--increase Medicare payments--that ought to eliminate a lot of those old folks who keep getting sick--why should we give "pay outs" to these old and infirm dregs on our society.

[MaineDem]

3. My 84-year old mother relies on Medicare

She's a pretty sharp woman and has a good grasp of most things but this new Medicare drug thing and now this increase has her tearing her hair out.

The GOP touts its Medicare coverage as one of the plusses of the Administration. Why don't they talk about the increase and how impossible it is for Seniors to figure out the drug coverage? This is enough to make anyone sick.

[happynewyear]

13. tell her to get her scripts filled at Costco!

far cheaper than even the costly supplemental plan I have! :grr: :grr: :grr:

[Kukesa]

19. And their execs conribute to the Dem party! n/t

[Liberal Veteran]

4. We probably just won the election then.

That's gonna piss off the older Americans.

[NMDemDist2]

5. WTF?? If i show up at my Doc's office, he charges me $35

to see him. (I found this out while i was un-insured for a year)

[Malva Zebrina]

10. I could not even get an appointment to see the doctor

I was told that I had to make an appointment on the day I wanted it. I kid you not. I called, and there were no appointments for that day. I called again, and there were no appointments for that day. I called again and there were no appointments for that day. Finally, I wrote a letter to the doctor and fired her.

Sick of it.

[crossroads]

6. Please Tell Me Kerry Is Jumping On This!

This should have been a part of Duybas speech last night!!!
:eyes:

[bemildred]

7. Thank goodness there is no inflation. nt

[Career Prole]

8. Hey, seniors! Anyone need a ride to the polls? n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

11. The Christian extremists visit nursing homes and try to convert

the seniors there who are really beyond comprehension--I know this because I worked in more than one facility. They try to sign up these unfortunates to their religion. They have been known to target one or more of them, using a file card system on each resident. There is no doubt in my mind that they would take along an absentee voter form with them and "help" the poor person to fill it out and help them to sign it with an "x" as their signature.

[Career Prole]

18. That I find reprehensible, and so repuglican.

Always the first thought in their mean pinheads is "What's in it for me?"
They wouldn't dream of doing a shut-in visit just because the person is alone and sad.
I'm glad you told me though. I think I'll see if that's been going on at our place next time we're delivering meals.

[coreystone]

23. How mentally competent are some of our seniors....

who are in nursing homes??? With the effect of aging, the normal neurological deterioration is not necessarily correlated well with an individual's ability to make a sound judgment regarding many aspects of their lives.

My father had a stroke in 1995 (significant brain damage); there were subsequent events to include: heart attacks, an injury to his head last year which resulted in a "subdural hematoma" (more brain damage), and, more recently a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. He is in a nursing home. He is legally qualified to vote. He has rarely voted in his life. He WILL BE 84 years old in October.

When visiting my father, it was quite apparent to me, and verified through nursing staff, that a significant population of their clients suffer from Alzheimer's and other degenerative neurological disorders.

This is a civil rights issue. It is a very, very gray area.

When does society legally decide when an individual is not mentally capable of executing their civil rights. People in that area of their lives fall into a condition similar to that of my father's mental state. Many are so many vulnerable in being manipulated.

I know my father won't vote. But, there are others which may be coerced by the antics of ......

As I say, it is a "gray" area!

[Career Prole]

24. My prayers for your Dad. Keep them fundies away.

My Mom suffered from Alzheimer's to go along with her failing heart but was solidly Catholic. She'd get all fired up when someone tried to "save her".
She passed when she insisted the respirator be removed no matter what happened (also covered in her living will).
It's a family joke that she must have decided the respirator had to go when she overheard the doctor say that it was "saving" her. :D

[The Zanti Regent]

9. You forgot to add the $35 for the Prescription benefits

Imagine the STICKER SHOCK when people see the medicare premiums over $100...

[indepat]

12. But inflation is under control

[LauraK]

14. The bush doctrine will eliminate Medicare alltogether.

Oh the Revolution there will be.

[librechik]

15. Right on schedule, hours after Bush claimed to have "lowered health

costs"

Their Modus operandi seldom varies. Are they robots?

[coreystone]

16. An increase of 39.2 % increase during a three year period!….

"The increase reflects rapidly rising health costs and last year's Medicare overhaul, said Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."

I believe that Dr. Frist, during the Republican Convention did a bit of advertising for the good citizenry of the United States to buy into the Medicare “overhaul” this past week. He even held up a Medicare card! I don’t doubt that increased “malpractice” insurance, in part drives up the fees that doctors charge, et cetera. I have for years felt that the AMA, and, the State regulatory agencies, responsible for licensing these doctors, need to be more responsible for “cleaning house”; to rid the medical profession of those who may not be up to the job. Of course the remedy is not so simplistic, but, it would be step in the correct direction.

If Senator Frist is concerned about the “trial lawyers” causing difficulty for physicians because of increased “malpractice insurance” rates, well…..the courts decide these cases on the basis of the standards set forth by the AMA, and, other groups which determine those standards. Maybe, what the doctors need to do is clean up their act before passing the culpability on to the trial lawyers. Maybe the Medicare overhaul STILL isn’t what it is being “spun” as…..

[Pirate Smile]

17. FRIDAY NEWS DUMP. People were wondering what would get

dumped today since it was such a busy news day.

[saigon68]

21. Hiding Bad news right in the open

How's the Scott Peterson trial going </sarcasm>

[coreystone]

25. Bryant got off...n/t

[Shallah Kali]

20. They want to get rid of our seniors who aren't wealthy campaign donors

They can't make a $ off their hard work any more, they can't tax them as much any more, so why not get rid of them and use the money for more military spending? :puke:

[jackieforthedems]

22. I Can Only Think Of One Word Right Now

BASTARDS!!!