As far as I know, age discrimination in rates is illegal for employer provided insurance

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

so why is it supposedly part of the negotiations with the insurance companies by Max Baucus that they could raise the rates of those aged 50 and above by as much as 5x? Is this supposed to apply just to those on their own in the insurance market? Does it apply to employer provided health? Who in their right minds thinks this is an acceptable "negotiation" in the first place?

If the insurers don't want to insure those fifty and above which it appears they don't - then open up Medicare to those fifty and above.

There are huge numbers of Baby Boomers out there who are over fifty and vote and they will be livid if anything like this gets passed. Remember what happened to AARP? That would seem like a ripple compared to a tsunami.

[Vinca]

1. It seems when you hit the magic age of 50 you're an instant leper.

They should open Medicare up for us as of tomorrow since no one else wants us.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. kick