Tag Archives: medicare

~ my 2cents ...

Is talk cheap ~ or just the talker


elephant talk
elephant talk (Photo credit: gin_able)

just another rant …another 2017 Republican budget is out in the airwaves …again!

Americans, bombarded with a whole lot of crazy talk lately. While some of us may gasp at most or all of what members of Congress are throwing out at us; no doubt it should open the eyes of all those trying to decide which side of the aisle and or what side of history they want to people to read about. It is clear to me.

They say talk is cheap but until you actually listen and read between the lines or walls of words do you find out what exactly is in any budget designed by Ryan Budget.  While some say rep.Paul Ryan is a dapper smooth talker they forget that Americans have heard his failed budget plans at least 4 times, somebody should let him know that renaming it will not do a thing to sell it. The fact is no matter what you call it … the Paul Ryan pathway to prosperity only seems to accept and cover the wealthy. In fact, Mr. Ryan seems to promise to save Medicare by closing loopholes and of course cuts spending by trillions. The problem is, if you read the real words or talking points it will be off the backs of Seniors, Minorities, low income and the poor.  It still amazes me that the Republican Party of No is so callous to think Americans don’t see Mr.1% in full effect, but then again cheap words can mask the most blatant of realities.

In the congress of 2014, it only took one to filibuster The Middle and Lower classes leaving them to suffer on the way toward that conservative mission to cut slash and burn public service jobs while handing out tax breaks. It’s now 2017 and while voters voted against their best interests …again!

We all need to ask when the light will be bright enough to see this Republican budget is a reworked failure …

If you have heard  Mitch McConnell or Rep.Paul Ryan talk about budgets lately,  you know the mission is still the same …. the talk is still cheap and at the expense of the middle/lower classes.

~ Nativergrl77

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Medicare is NOT “Going Broke” – Center Medicare for Advocacy

1 Comment

Medicare is not in crisis. It is on solid financial footing, and, in fact, is stronger than was predicted before the enactment of the Affordable Care Act.

Medicare Part A is mostly paid for with payroll taxes which go into a trust fund. Prior to the enactment of the ACA, the Part A trust fund was expected to be insolvent in 2017. As a result of the ACA and the recession, the trust fund is not expected to be insolvent until 2028.[1]  However, even if Medicare Part A were to become insolvent by spending more than it is taking in, the program will still be able to pay out 87 percent of its benefits.[2]  While not ideal, this is a far cry from “bankruptcy.”  Further, the date of projected insolvency is not set in stone, and could easily change. The trust fund largely reflects the health of the economy. At various times since 1970, the trustees have projected Trust Fund insolvency in as few as 4 years or as many as 28 years.[3]

Importantly, funding for Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D comes from beneficiary premiums and the government’s “General Fund” –  they are a federal budget item, just like, for example, the Defense Department. Whether to, and how much to, fund these items is a purely political decision.

Let’s not let our elected officials make the wrong decisions about Medicare.

_________________________

 

[1] Board of Trustees, Federal Hospital Insurance and Federal Supplementary Health Insurance Trust Funds. “2016 Annual Report.” 22 June 2016. https://www.cms.gov/Research-Statistics-Data-and-Systems/Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/ReportsTrustFunds/downloads/tr2016.pdf (site visited November 15, 2016). P.5.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Phil Galewitz and Marilyn Werber Sarafini. “Trustees Issue Warnings on Medicare But Make No Changes to Solvency Projections.” Kansas Health Institute. 24 April 2012. http://www.khi.org/news/article/trustees-issue-warnings-medicare-make-no-changes-s (site visited November 16, 2016).

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.


a repost from 12/2013

Expand Social Security, Medicare, the ACA and Medicaid. Don’t cut them.

Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid have lifted many Americans out of poverty and provided health and retirement security for millions of seniors and people with disabilities. When its health coverage takes effect next month, the Affordable Care Act is about to become the fourth pillar of American health and economic security.

But our work isn’t done. Please join Health Care for America Now and USAction and tell Congress: We should be expanding our social safety net, not cutting it.

For years, Republicans have been intent on trimming Social Security and Medicare benefits even as medical costs have skyrocketed and savings and pensions have been whittled away. In 25 states GOP leaders have attacked the Affordable Care Act’s critically important expansion of Medicaid, preventing millions from getting the health care they need. They make the ridiculous argument that we can’t afford health security. We are the richest nation on earth, and we can afford to make sure everyone has something as basic as health care.

Will you write to your representative in Congress to say we can boost benefits for seniors and ensure these life-saving programs last for generations to come? We can do this if Congress has millionaires pay their fair share into Social Security and if drug companies stop ripping off Americans.

Tell Congress: Expand Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Don’t cut them.

Thanks,

Will O’Neill Health Care for America Now

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

GOP Senate Majority To Raise Retirement Age, Cut Medicare


campaignForAmericaLgo

The Republicans have made big promises to their ultra-wealthy financial backers: Should they take the Senate, they promise to cut ‘entitlements’ and pass the savings on with more tax cuts for the 1%.

 

This isn’t fear mongering. This is taking them at their word. Republicans have promised to raise Medicare age and cut Social Security benefits.

 

  • Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who would become chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, proposed legislation to raise the retirement age to 70 and supported President Bush’s plans to privatize the system.

 

  • Representative Bill Cassidy, who hopes to replace Mary Landrieu as senator from Louisiana, has pledged to raise the retirement age to 70 and turn Medicare into a voucher program.

 

  • Senators Ron Johnson and Ted Cruz both refer to Social Security as a “Giant Ponzi Scheme.” Cruz went further, going on the record with the Texas Tribune for privatization. As Texas solicitor general, he even sued the federal government to strike down Medicare’s prescription benefit.

 

  • Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona said he’d prefer “savings in entitlement programs rather than defense spending.”

 

 

 

Campaign for America’s Future has defeated similar bad ideas before. We’ve done it when Democrats are in charge, and we’ve done it when Republicans held all three branches of government.

 

Can you make a donation of $15 today to help us in this fight? We are now pushing to EXPAND, not cut Social Security. And we are gearing up the alliances, and strategies needed to meet the coming attacks. We will not accept any cuts to benefits older Americans have earned.

.

In 2010, Representative Paul Ryan and House Republicans tried to use their new majority in the House to raise the retirement age and cut benefits. We fought back and prevented a “Grand Bargain.” Right-wing GOPers wore their folly around their necks in the 2012 election and it helped re-elect Barack Obama.

In 2015, the assault is likely to be a retirement age of 70 and yet another attempt to replace Medicare with vouchers.

We will not let them savage Americans who are vulnerable because of retirement or disability.

To do this, we need your help. Can you contribute $15 to help us gird for the fight we face? Join us as we work for a country that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and privileged.

~ my 2cents ...

in solidarity … 2014


Wethepeople

just another rant

If you believe in moving into the 21st Century, believe in health care being accessible to all , if you believe it is a right not a privilege or that the overhaul to health care is long overdue; then you are on the right side of history.  keepabortionlegalHowever, members of Congress are portraying the ACA as a law for the poor though most parents with kids in college would say they are not poor or rich and having their children covered until 26 is a relief. The law is not perfect, but Medicare PartD is still here far from perfect, lest we talk about that Donut Hole that has hurt our seniors in ways Congress refuses to deal with, it goes without saying that hearing the donut hole will stay in place until 2020 is sad.George Mason University

I would like members of Congress to tell voters why they are against the idea that 32mil more people will have access to a health care system that will need more doctors, PA, and those great nurses who we usually see when we feel bad. Think about it, what does it take to run a Hospital?

Our myhealthcareisnotdebateablecurrent workforce cannot possibly handle that many new customers and will need to hire more folks from the so-called bottom up for the grounds, parking lots, security, maintenance, janitors, gardeners to receptionists, and more.

ACAThe Affordable Care Act has been batted abused trashed and voted against by the GOP over 40 times. The odd thing leading up to each vote, is that the facts did not seem to get into the way of Congress nor did they care that #ACA is the law of the land. Republicans chose to call it a bill, deny it has helped adults with pre-existing conditions, seniors and parents with kids under 26. It is beyond offensive that these votes not only cost Americans money to hold but a law that has been challenged and SCOTUS upheld actually seems like a travesty of our democracy then Rep.TedCruz decided to take $24 Billion out of the House of Representatives to make some sort of point against the Affordable Care Act. I do not know about you but I wonder where is the $24Billion outrage, the demand for more explanations about who is going to pay it back. Americans should be demanding the GOP give up whatever they have planned to cover that $24BillionGOPShutdown.

I ask voters, if you are concerned at all about the $24Billion 17day RepTedCruz waged on us why stay silent.Npelosiwomenshc  I hope folks wonder who will ultimately pay for it and why the media conveniently keeps bypassing all questions about the shutdown. I want answers from Rep.TedCruz and he should be forced to take responsibility and most Americans should demand that any deals coming from the GOP be reconciled against that $24Billion 17 day #ACA shutdown.

keepfamilieshealthy I cannot begin to list the impact of 32million more people added to the new health care system, but it is obvious that the Affordable Care Act is also a jobs creator.

In Solidarity … we must get off the sidelines and fight back