Gop Unveils Plan To Remake Medicare And Medicaid

[+EdwardGlen]

fyi; Dear Washington DC employees stop spending $900 Billion Dollars + a year occupying two foreign countries!

 

Eliminate ALL CORPORATE WELFARE, tax ALL American companies headquartered in the United States, no more tricks with off shore tax shelters, and straighten out Wall St.

 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/04/05/135148359/gop-unveils-plan-to-remake-medicare-and-medicaid?ft=1&f=1001&sc=tw&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

The GOP's health care cat is now fully out of the bag. And it's a big one.

 

All told the Republicans say their stingier federal budget would save $6.2 trillion over the one President Obama wants. The GOP road-map, as expected, proposes big changes for Medicare and Medicaid.

 

Rep. Paul Ryan, chairman of the House Budget Committee, and his Republican colleagues were busy stumping for their plan to rein in federal spending government today.

 

It would switch people under 55 to a system of private Medicare insurance that would be subsidized by the federal government. Individuals would pick a government-approved plan rather than a program run by the government. "We want to harness the power of patient choice — of competition — on behalf of future seniors in Medicare," Ryan said in a news briefing.

 

 

He said the Republican's plan would work a lot like the part of Medicare that already covers prescriptions medicines. The government would defray some of those costs, or provide what's sometimes called premium support. "We propose we support people more if they're low income, more as they get sick," Ryan said. "And wealthy seniors," he said, "don't get as much support." The change would save Medicare a lot of dough, the Republicans say.

 

The GOP would also change Medicaid pretty dramatically. Their plan would give states a fixed pot of money in the form of block grants to pay for Medicaid, health coverage for the poor. The approach would also have the effect of reducing Medicaid spending.

 

Oh, and the GOP would, if you've forgotten, also do away with the Democrats' sweeping health overhaul law.

 

Defenders of the current system were quick to criticize the Republican proposal. "This will do terrible damage to Medicare and Medicaid and all the people who have paid into those programs," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), ranking member of the House Budget Committee.

 

In a statement, Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan blasted the Republican plan as "a thinly veiled attempt to dismantle Medicare for tens of millions of Americans." Sure, reducing the deficit is important, she said, "but we should do that by holding government accountable and eliminating programs that aren't working, not by putting all of the burden on middle class families and seniors." She said the plan would never pass in Senate.

 

Just about every health interest group has chimed in, too. None whose constituents are in the business of providing care seem pleased.

 

Take, for instance, the Federation of American Hospitals, which represents for-profit institutions. The group is particularly concerned about Medicaid cuts. "We understand that reforms are to be expected," Chip Kahn, CEO of the group said in a statement. "Yet, as we all join in reform, we must not undermine the critical role that our nation expects of its community hospitals, clinicians and other health care providers."

[+420Atheist]

Any Republicans here happy about losing their Medicare and Medicaid? The way this saves money is the amount of money they give you to spend on your Medicare/Medicaid insurance from a private company would not keep up with the inflation of insurance cost. This is the way it saves money. It would save more money but they are also slipping in lowering the tax on the wealthy from 35% to 25%. Still feel like they are looking for a shared sacrifice?

[TimmyHill]

the republicans want all the money and they want to systematically eliminate those that don't agree with them and everyone who receives any type of government assistance like medicare, unemployment, social security, medicaid, food stamps, and the like. the democrats aren't much better. the republicans seem to delight in roughly tearing thru the walls of our financial orifices. the democrats at least make it seem like they are providing us with lubrication to soften the blow. i will be gone soon. i hope people rise up with every fiber of their being and begin overthrowing governments from coast to coast. the days of michigan and the rest of america as i once knew them? those days are long gone.

[+Silverblue]

I don't feel like there's much life left in me so I hope when I go there's a better place for my tired old soul to rest. If enough people rise up, they have to make sure the tyrants can NEVER take control EVER AGAIN. I hope it's done without violence.

 

sb

[+Silverblue]

There'll be PLENTY of angry republicans, too. The ones in power are gonna see a day coming soon that they'll never forget. they brought it on themselves by their cruelty. It's almost funny to watch them self destruct, it might be funny if it weren't so goddamm tragic. I've seen it happen many times, all I gotta do is step back and watch. IF there is a God, the tears are gonna flood this earth many times over. If I were God I would be crying. I'm crying anyway so big deal who cares, surely no politician would give a rat's donkey about me.

 

Sb

[Mememe]

"individuals would pick a government-approved plan"

What are the stipulations to becoming government approved health care provider?

This does not sound good.

[+Silverblue]

 

Sb

[RnJoe]

God dam it all. It would seem, based on the past that we can NOT count on God to help with this! And as far as violence goes....do NOT worry. Americans are too apathetic to 'rise up'. The days of the Black Panther Party are long gone, and a argument could be made that that is a sad thing. As long...ah never mind.........

[nthlghts]

I hate to be the dissent, but we have had private companies handling medicare and medicaid for years. It is called medicare advantage and you can select a private company to take over. I know several who have done this and receive better insurance. Also our entire part d prescription plan is handled this way.

[+EdwardGlen]

I hate to be the dissent, but we have had private companies handling medicare and medicaid for years. It is called medicare advantage and you can select a private company to take over. I know several who have done this and receive better insurance. Also our entire part d prescription plan is handled this way.

 

Not everyone can or will qualify and or be able to afford those extra plan charges.

 

http://www.medicare.com/advantage-plans/medicare-advantage-plans.html

 

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Advantage Medicare) are health care options (like a HMO or PPO) for the Medicare program. These are programs that are approved by Medicare and run by private companies. They are sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C. With these options, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through one plan. They provide all your Part A and Part B-covered services. Generally, these plans offer extra benefits, and many include Medicare Part D (drug coverage). If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your Medicare services are covered through this one plan, and are not paid for under Original Medicare.

 

Medicare Advantage Plan options may include:

 

Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - An HMO plan must cover all Medicare Part A and Part B health care. Some HMOs also cover additional benefits, like additional days in the hospital. In most HMOs, you can only go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals on the plan's list, except in the case of an emergency. Your costs may be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan.

 

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) - With this type of Medicare Advantage Plan, you use doctors, hospitals, and providers that belong to your designated PPO network. You may use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network, but there will be an additional cost.

 

Private Fee-for-Service Plans - In this type of plan, you can go to any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital that accepts the plan's payment. The insurance plan decides how much it will pay and what you pay for the services. You may pay more or less for Medicare-covered benefits. You may also have more benefits than the Original Medicare Plan.

 

Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans - A plan that combines a high deductible health plan with a bank account. Medicare deposits money into the account (usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health careservices during the year. For more information about MSAs, visit http://go.usa.gov/irD to view the booklet, “Your Guide to Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.” You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to see if a copy camailed to you. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

 

Medicare Special Needs Plans - This plan generally limits membership to people with specific diseases or conditions. They tailor their benefits, choose their providers, and create their list of covered drugs to best meet the specific needs of the groups they serve. Most Medicare Special Needs Plans are designed to serve people who have specific diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or HIV/AIDS. They always include Part D prescription drug coverage.

 

How do I qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

You can generally qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan if you meet these conditions:

 

You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. Contact the plans you're interested in to find out about their service area.

 

You have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

 

You do not have End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

(with diabetes at epidemic levels and rising this will keep millions off these plans)

 

Choose your plan carefully; for the most part you will only be able to change plans once a year. In certain situations, you may be able to switch plans at other times.

How do I join a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

Once you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be able to join by completing a paper application, calling the plan, enrolling online directly with the carrier, or you can Click Here to view options through Joppel.

 

When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have to provide your Medicare number from your Medicare card and the date your Medicare Part A and/or Part B coverage started.

What will a Medicare Advantage Plan cost?

 

The costs of a Medicare Advantage Plan depend on a number of factors. Here are some questions to consider when purchasing a Medicare Advantage Plan:

 

Does the plan charge a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium?

Does the plan pay any of the Part B premiums?

Does the plan have a yearly deductible?

Does it charge any deductibles for any of the services?

How much will you pay for each service or visit (copayments)?

What type of health services do you need? How often?

Will you be using network providers or out-of-network providers?

Are there any additional benefits in the plan? Do you need them? What do these benefits cost?

Since private companies run the Medicare Advantage Plans, costs will vary. It's important to call any plan before joining to find out the rules, your costs, and to make sure the plan meets your needs. In some plans, if you see a provider who doesn't participate with the plan, your services may not be covered at all, or your costs will likely be higher.

[nthlghts]

Not everyone needs to pay more that is an option, their base plans are the same you pay for original medicare. This is a fact I have been involved with 3 people this year who signed up. Private companies operate cheaper than the wasteful gov and have low fraud in their programs. Humana PPO medicare advantage does not cost one dime and you get small vision and dental services added. The government wants to stay in control of these programs so they can continue to steal the money. Social security would be 1T in the green had they not spent the money. And on another note if they would kick off all those on welfare and SSI that are illegal we would have the money, but you cant fight a drug war when you close the border, so we continue our stupidity. The government has failed too manage any program, anything they touch costs more and is riddled with fraud and lies, so I for one am willing to give someone else a try. The federal government has completely failed to do their job in so many ways it is sick, they spent 8x their revenue for the month of March. How long do you think that can last.

 

 

Not everyone can or will qualify and or be able to afford those extra plan charges.

 

http://www.medicare.com/advantage-plans/medicare-advantage-plans.html

 

What is a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Advantage Medicare) are health care options (like a HMO or PPO) for the Medicare program. These are programs that are approved by Medicare and run by private companies. They are sometimes referred to as Medicare Part C. With these options, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through one plan. They provide all your Part A and Part B-covered services. Generally, these plans offer extra benefits, and many include Medicare Part D (drug coverage). If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your Medicare services are covered through this one plan, and are not paid for under Original Medicare.

 

Medicare Advantage Plan options may include:

 

Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) - An HMO plan must cover all Medicare Part A and Part B health care. Some HMOs also cover additional benefits, like additional days in the hospital. In most HMOs, you can only go to doctors, specialists, or hospitals on the plan's list, except in the case of an emergency. Your costs may be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan.

 

Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) - With this type of Medicare Advantage Plan, you use doctors, hospitals, and providers that belong to your designated PPO network. You may use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside of the network, but there will be an additional cost.

 

Private Fee-for-Service Plans - In this type of plan, you can go to any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital that accepts the plan's payment. The insurance plan decides how much it will pay and what you pay for the services. You may pay more or less for Medicare-covered benefits. You may also have more benefits than the Original Medicare Plan.

 

Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans - A plan that combines a high deductible health plan with a bank account. Medicare deposits money into the account (usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health careservices during the year. For more information about MSAs, visit http://go.usa.gov/irD to view the booklet, “Your Guide to Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.” You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to see if a copy camailed to you. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

 

Medicare Special Needs Plans - This plan generally limits membership to people with specific diseases or conditions. They tailor their benefits, choose their providers, and create their list of covered drugs to best meet the specific needs of the groups they serve. Most Medicare Special Needs Plans are designed to serve people who have specific diseases or conditions, such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, or HIV/AIDS. They always include Part D prescription drug coverage.

 

How do I qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

You can generally qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan if you meet these conditions:

 

You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. Contact the plans you're interested in to find out about their service area.

 

You have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

 

You do not have End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

(with diabetes at epidemic levels and rising this will keep millions off these plans)

 

Choose your plan carefully; for the most part you will only be able to change plans once a year. In certain situations, you may be able to switch plans at other times.

How do I join a Medicare Advantage Plan?

 

Once you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be able to join by completing a paper application, calling the plan, enrolling online directly with the carrier, or you can Click Here to view options through Joppel.

 

When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have to provide your Medicare number from your Medicare card and the date your Medicare Part A and/or Part B coverage started.

What will a Medicare Advantage Plan cost?

 

The costs of a Medicare Advantage Plan depend on a number of factors. Here are some questions to consider when purchasing a Medicare Advantage Plan:

 

Does the plan charge a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium?

Does the plan pay any of the Part B premiums?

Does the plan have a yearly deductible?

Does it charge any deductibles for any of the services?

How much will you pay for each service or visit (copayments)?

What type of health services do you need? How often?

Will you be using network providers or out-of-network providers?

Are there any additional benefits in the plan? Do you need them? What do these benefits cost?

Since private companies run the Medicare Advantage Plans, costs will vary. It's important to call any plan before joining to find out the rules, your costs, and to make sure the plan meets your needs. In some plans, if you see a provider who doesn't participate with the plan, your services may not be covered at all, or your costs will likely be higher.

[lawyercaregiver]

Oh can the hysteria please.

 

The Ryan plan simply privatizes medicare and medicaid for the 55 and under crowd instead of bankrupting it like the demopublicans want to do. Can you name me one government program that works like it is supposed to work and accomplishes more good than harm? Just one?

 

You say don't get sick.

 

I say don't get sick unless you have health insurance. Don't worry, even under the Reepubics plan it will be government subsidized for all the slackers, misfits and malcontents out there. In other words I and a few others will be paying for you no matter what the system.

[CherryCrush]

slackers, misfits and malcontents?

 

Ya mean, Children, Disabled and Elderly.

 

 

Your lack of compassion has no place where well well WELL over 60% of patients depend on those programs WHICH THEY PAID FOR THEMSELVES or else they are unfortunate children who would not receive any healthcare without them.

 

LawyerUNcareINGgiver, i do hope you never find yourself 100% disabled and depending on these programs. I do hope your family never needs to use these programs either.

 

Whatever happened to the sense of "we, americans, are all in this together" and what happens to any of us, happens to all of us. E Pluribus Unum. Ya know, being a good "christian" nation and caring for one another.

 

How you can find yourself in a room with the exact people you seem to hate so much, and have the audacity to spout your mouth off is truly appalling.

 

That was as nice as i could say it.

 

Thousands of government programs work fantasticly. You are just too blind to see them in your every day life.

[CherryCrush]

And Northernlights,

 

Medicare advantage cherry picks the healthiest of the Elderly so they do not have to pay out the costs of the very sick. They skim money from the government(We the People) by strategically picking seniors they can make money off of, thus raising the total curve of costs to the system because the government pays the full "average benefit" amount to the private companies even if the actual healthcare costs is much lower, thus costing more money overall to fill some private insurance companies pockets.

 

Medicare D is a huge scam and is costing government at least double what it should cost to fill those prescriptions. If collective bargaining by the government was allowed(Republicans filibustered it) witht he drug companies, the savings would be monumental for "We the People".

[Hempcheff]

 

 

slackers, misfits and malcontents?

 

Ya mean, Children, Disabled and Elderly.

 

 

Your lack of compassion has no place where well well WELL over 60% of patients depend on those programs WHICH THEY PAID FOR THEMSELVES or else they are unfortunate children who would not receive any healthcare without them.

 

LawyerUNcareINGgiver, i do hope you never find yourself 100% disabled and depending on these programs. I do hope your family never needs to use these programs either.

 

Whatever happened to the sense of "we, americans, are all in this together" and what happens to any of us, happens to all of us. E Pluribus Unum. Ya know, being a good "christian" nation and caring for one another.

 

How you can find yourself in a room with the exact people you seem to hate so much, and have the audacity to spout your mouth off is truly appalling.

 

That was as nice as i could say it.

 

Thousands of government programs work fantasticly. You are just too blind to see them in your every day life.

[Guest Happy Guy]

slackers, misfits and malcontents?

 

Ya mean, Children, Disabled and Elderly.

 

 

Your lack of compassion has no place where well well WELL over 60% of patients depend on those programs WHICH THEY PAID FOR THEMSELVES or else they are unfortunate children who would not receive any healthcare without them.

 

LawyerUNcareINGgiver, i do hope you never find yourself 100% disabled and depending on these programs. I do hope your family never needs to use these programs either.

 

Whatever happened to the sense of "we, americans, are all in this together" and what happens to any of us, happens to all of us. E Pluribus Unum. Ya know, being a good "christian" nation and caring for one another.

 

How you can find yourself in a room with the exact people you seem to hate so much, and have the audacity to spout your mouth off is truly appalling.

That was as nice as i could say it.

 

Thousands of government programs work fantasticly. You are just too blind to see them in your every day life.

[shiningheartwoman]

I have many opinions on this post... All side with the fact that they are screwing us more and more and this is all part of the New World Order! Are YOU ready for it? Its on its way.. kinda ironic how after the last elections things started all over the country to fall thru rapidly.. we all knew for voting in a black democrat we'd get retaliation from the repubs..anyhoo.. this mkes me sick..they need to just have as canada has... full healthcare for all.. they pay high taxes over there but as much as we are being charged here in hiddens fees, copays, astronomical medicine costs etc.. itd balance itself off if we did.. And lets stop giving free healthcare and free everything without taxes to immigrants!!! Then maybe the rest of us could have a chance.. Hell imma about ready to tan myself dark, move to mexico for a season become a citizen move back to america as an immigrant and get more help then then i was as an american citizen.. hell ill even cross the rio grande naked... cmon now.. all immigrants from any country get the same and its pathetic... lets change that as well...

 

as for the person stateing this "slackers, misfits and malcontents" Are you calling my father a vet from NAM who spent 30+yrs in General Motors to be forced out to retire or lose all he had worked for a slacker misfit or malcontent because he was forced into looking toward the state for help when my mother was dieing of cancer and copd and was on medicaid?.. are you calling my two young children by the same names beause in this day and age noteveryone has the luxury to afford educaton or find a GOOD job thats not outsourcing their work or bringing workers in out of country (have you ever been to mackinac island?? take a look around -there are more forigeners there then Native American indians whose sacred land that used to be! I was there for mothers day.. jamaicans have already come from homeland, austrians all over and others with accents i cant even without asking them recognize! this is just a SIMPLE example) So since my family has had to reach out for even a little bit of help from the system we are degenerates, slackers, malcontents... id love to pop you in the face.. like i wanted to when my DHS caseworker told me over the phone when i was wondering why they cut my case and that of our childrens when there was a lay off.. (according to them we made more money on lay off then we did while working) anyhoo... she told me over the phone without ever meeting me.. and i quote "Well according to the numbers on the computer there are worse off families then yours that need the help and money more then you!" Scuse me!!!?????? you have no idea how i wanted to rearrange her functioning body parts!... or at least watch her bleed from missing teeth.. who do people like that think they are? JUDGING ME AND MY FAMILY! without knowing what we go thru, the odds we fight for and against every day just to survive let alone survive for the children.. get real!

 

But on the flip side i do agree with the fact that there are too many on the system that hve sucked it dry and made it where when good self respecting people need help due to the failing and falling economy we are not only denied, or given help thats really not worth it. For an example with one person in the home working and one recieveing unemployment as a family of 4 a month is only 275bucks food.. medicaid spenddown for the person working is 80bucks the one not working is 253bucks a month to go see a dr or get their medicine!!! now explain that!!! These are good hard working family oriented people just struggling to get by.. how about another family i know who just had a baby both parents work fast food but still arent making ends meet.. their spenddown for her case is 735 a month for medicaid!!! A young adult family doing their best to survive with their newborn child and that.. and dont get me started on the amount they are allowed for food.. PUKE PUKE makes me gag! yet i can go down to grand rapids my old running turf and find any numbers of garbage getting everything paid for.. my father gets sooo sick of seeing immigrants who cant speak a lick of english getting their cars, homes, food, clothing, schooling, daycare, JOBS etc for free from us tax paying citizens and when he tried to get help for his 18yr daughter who just had a baby needs a little bit of help they DENY HER because since she had no where else to stay she moved back on with dad. A nd since shes residing with him for the time being according to DHS he makes to much money in his measly pension (that has nothing to do with her) for the state to ok HER assistance.. are you kidding me!!!?? so lets get started on whose malcontents, slackers etc... but dont generalize US ALL INTO A SINGLE GROUP!!!

 

You are generalizing the entire whole into a group of idiots whove screwed it all up for those who do need help.. your doing the very thngs this whole MMMA movement is against.. We arent all slackers degenerates malcontents because we need help.. and when we have to jump thru hoops to get even a little bit of help and get treated like crap in doing so while others not even a part of this country gets scot free and tax free everything its nothing short of pure BS or to put it a little cleaner like my dad always says thats "BULL HOCKEY!!"

 

THIS COUNTRY IS A JOKE! THE WAY ITS BEING RAN IS A JOKE!!! YOU CLOSED MINDED PEOPLE WHO ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE THIS WAY IS A JOKE! AND I CANT WAIT UNTIL EITHER AMERICANS GROW SOME BALLS AND UPRISE AGAINST THESE INJUSTICES ON ALL FRONTS LIKE THEY HAD IN THE PAST OR UNTIL EARTH AND HER CREATOR HAS HAD ENOUGH AND ABOLISHES THE WORST PARASITE EVER CREATED!!! HUMAN RACE! dont agree with my opinions oh well... this is another freedom i stand for.. freedom of speech

 

Peace and Love always Shining...

[Guest Happy Guy]

GOP public health care plan; die quickly...

Just put the taxes back the way they were in the 90's before Bush changed it.

The oldest trick in the book:

Lower taxes until the country is deeply in debt. Then re apply the taxes to the people you would rather have taxed. You will not hear that spoken out loud by politicians because it's way too simple and will be seen as 'Class Wars'. There's no such thing, right?

[lawyercaregiver]

slackers, misfits and malcontents?

 

Ya mean, Children, Disabled and Elderly.

 

 

Your lack of compassion has no place where well well WELL over 60% of patients depend on those programs WHICH THEY PAID FOR THEMSELVES or else they are unfortunate children who would not receive any healthcare without them.

 

LawyerUNcareINGgiver, i do hope you never find yourself 100% disabled and depending on these programs. I do hope your family never needs to use these programs either.

 

Whatever happened to the sense of "we, americans, are all in this together" and what happens to any of us, happens to all of us. E Pluribus Unum. Ya know, being a good "christian" nation and caring for one another.

 

How you can find yourself in a room with the exact people you seem to hate so much, and have the audacity to spout your mouth off is truly appalling.

 

That was as nice as i could say it.

 

Thousands of government programs work fantasticly. You are just too blind to see them in your every day life.

 

Oh goody, a passionate debate.... but you still haven't given me one!

 

It is incredible when I have an Atlas Shrugged moment and suddenly I am just like the Repubics who want babies to die and old people to eat Alpo.

 

I do not hate anyone (well actually I do have a few names I could list so I should say I most certainly do not hate any particular class of people). But riddle me this shall we? Do we measure compassion by how many people are on all these wonderful 'fantasicly' run government programs- or by how many people no longer need them? THE BEST SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM IS A JOB!!

 

The elderly are covered by Medicare and Kids are covered by a myriad of overlapping programs- at least for now. But NOBODY is going to be covered in a few years unless we do something very, very soon.

 

If you have a better idea than the Ryan plan lets hear it!

 

So many of you think the endless gravy train will never end or we can get out of this mess by just taxing the rich more and more but I assure you it WILL end at some point and every bit you raise taxes on the EEEEVIL rich means those EEEVIL rich are no longer interested in creating any more jobs. Have you noticed how all these rich guys seem to employ so many people? I don't know about you but I have never got a job from a poor guy!

 

Gee, I wonder if all that could have something to do with the unemployment rate right about now? :rolleyes:

 

Just like the housing market collapsed and now my house that had $80K equity is way, way underwater, the entire system is going to collapse. Country after country in history has bankrupted themselves by by buying votes or favor with extravagant programs. At some point there are neither votes nor favor left. Somebody has to pay the bill- and Atlas is shrugging right about now.....

 

Finally, why is it OK for Obamacare to cut $500,000,000,000 from Medicare and not a word is said- but the REepubics propose a MEANS TESTED (look it up- it means if you make more money you pay more and if you make less money you pay less) bill to save the program that DOES NOT AFFECT ANYONE 55 OR OLDER and THEY are the ones "stealing" from Medicare?

[CherryCrush]

Because the 500 billion is coming from Medicare advantage recipients. It is called saving money by not paying Private insurers 30% on the top of cost to fill their pockets on someone elses sickness.

 

Solution: Single payer healthcare. It drops cost of healthcare by 30% overnight by simply getting rid of Insurance companies.

 

Take 5% of that money and put it towards education grants for Physicians and Nurses. Total 25% savings and a whole generation of people that couldnt afford to go to school to become a nurse and Physician now will be able to.

 

I would love to discuss this with you, but i find speaking with heartless clueless people to be a waste of my time.

 

Go ahead and go masturbate to Atlas Shrugged and dream of how many little people you can walk over.

[Guest Happy Guy]

Oh goody, a passionate debate.... but you still haven't given me one!

 

It is incredible when I have an Atlas Shrugged moment and suddenly I am just like the Repubics who want babies to die and old people to eat Alpo.

 

I do not hate anyone (well actually I do have a few names I could list so I should say I most certainly do not hate any particular class of people). But riddle me this shall we? Do we measure compassion by how many people are on all these wonderful 'fantasicly' run government programs- or by how many people no longer need them? THE BEST SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM IS A JOB!!

 

The elderly are covered by Medicare and Kids are covered by a myriad of overlapping programs- at least for now. But NOBODY is going to be covered in a few years unless we do something very, very soon.

 

If you have a better idea than the Ryan plan lets hear it!

 

So many of you think the endless gravy train will never end or we can get out of this mess by just taxing the rich more and more but I assure you it WILL end at some point and every bit you raise taxes on the EEEEVIL rich means those EEEVIL rich are no longer interested in creating any more jobs. Have you noticed how all these rich guys seem to employ so many people? I don't know about you but I have never got a job from a poor guy!

 

Gee, I wonder if all that could have something to do with the unemployment rate right about now? :rolleyes:

 

Just like the housing market collapsed and now my house that had $80K equity is way, way underwater, the entire system is going to collapse. Country after country in history has bankrupted themselves by by buying votes or favor with extravagant programs. At some point there are neither votes nor favor left. Somebody has to pay the bill- and Atlas is shrugging right about now.....

 

Finally, why is it OK for Obamacare to cut $500,000,000,000 from Medicare and not a word is said- but the REepubics propose a MEANS TESTED (look it up- it means if you make more money you pay more and if you make less money you pay less) bill to save the program that DOES NOT AFFECT ANYONE 55 OR OLDER and THEY are the ones "stealing" from Medicare?

Complicate it. Make it personal. Make it hard to understand. All tricks.

Here's a trick; Make it simple. Just put the tax rate back the way it was before Bush lowered it. Just put it back. Then we can start paying back the debt that rung up since it was changed. Simple.

[greenbuddha]

Every politician out there that holds a state or federal office is receiving GOVERNMENT PAID HEALTH CARE BENEFITS, Democrat OR Republican.

 

AND if they serve X # of terms they get a GOVERNMENT PAID RETIREMENT ACCOUNT.

 

When the 'politicians' receive the SAME health care that 'I' am offered (pay for it myself without taxpayers funding it) then I will backoff from supporting a 'national health care system'.

 

And if the 'billions' that are sent to Pakistan (and other countries like it) that lie to the American people about the 'terrorists' that are living openly within their borders is sent back to the American people, we could AFFORD a national health care system, not to mention new roads, schools and God knows what else.

 

And 'heck' I'm even a middle of the roader when it comes to politics. Just tired of the BS that comes out of Washington, Wall Street AND Lansing.

 

M2CW

[2d]

Complicate it. Make it personal. Make it hard to understand. All tricks.

Here's a trick; Make it simple. Just put the tax rate back the way it was before Bush lowered it. Just put it back. Then we can start paying back the debt that rung up since it was changed. Simple.

 

Way too simple. Don't you know all the rich people will leave "Amerika" if they have to pay taxes.

[lawyercaregiver]

Way too simple. Don't you know all the rich people will leave "Amerika" if they have to pay taxes.

 

Or maybe they will just go on strike?

 

And I never masturbate to Atlas Shrugged, as brilliant as I consider Ayn Rand have you ever seen her picture? She is the CURE for masturbation!

 

I prefer reading the U.S. Constitution, the federalist papers, De-tocqueville, Burke or John Adams for masturbatory material...

 

Anyway, I am guessing Saul Alinsky and our good buddy Karl are more your style.....

[NMICaregiver]

Oh can the hysteria please.

 

The Ryan plan simply privatizes medicare and medicaid for the 55 and under crowd instead of bankrupting it like the demopublicans want to do. Can you name me one government program that works like it is supposed to work and accomplishes more good than harm? Just one?

 

You say don't get sick.

 

I say don't get sick unless you have health insurance. Don't worry, even under the Reepubics plan it will be government subsidized for all the slackers, misfits and malcontents out there. In other words I and a few others will be paying for you no matter what the system.

 

I concur! Well Said!