what do you think about senior medicare and the government's role??

Question

http://political.moveon.org/seniorsfirst/

Answer 1

The 1000-page-plus bill was kept in a locked closet in October-November 2003 for folks in Congress to review. (No kidding here!) Then it was passed in early December 2003. It was passed only after the vote had gone the "wrong way" and the vote that was supposed to be open for only 15-20 minutes was left open for hours until enough arms were twisted for the vote to go "the right way."

While some very-low income seniors may receive some very helpful benefits with the costs of their prescription drugs, the big winners appear to be the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry. For example, drug prices and formularies offered by companies have changed frequently, but a senior is essentially stuck in whatever plan they signed up for--even though it changes. (Of course they can change each year at re-enrollment time...)

Then, the implementation of the whole thing was terrible and continues to be! The folks who wrote the law put this initiative on the "fast track." The whipper-snappers designed the sign up so that everything could be done over the internet and toll-free phone numbers--not a bad plan except the computers didn't work--and still don't. (There are still super- major problems--new ones came to light this week!) Unfortunately the most vulnerable and confused older folks aren't exactly computer saavy ...even if they have one available. The major thing that was over-looked in implementation is that most older people really want--and need--to take time to think about a decision like spending money for prescription drug insurance. Real live people who know about Medicare are helpful in "talking through" Medicare decisions and sorting out problems with seniors and their families, however, even though CMS spent multi-billions on advertising, computer techs and 800-number answerers, they did not make one-on-one assistance to older Americans a priority to be funded.

Many frustrated and worried seniors and their families received --and can still get--help from their local Area Agency on Aging. If you or your older friends or family members are running into difficulty with this benefit, you should consider calling them. Area Agencies on Aging are a national network--there is one serving every community--and they aren't "selling" anything. Anyone may call 1-800-677-1116 toll-free to find the one serving their county. However, these organizations are not getting any significant money from CMS to help pay for all the staff providing one-on-one assistance with all the Medicare Part D problems. And funding for the federal Older Americans Act has not increased with any significance for about 25 years!

If you happen to call your Area Area Agency on aging --and like the help you receive-- please let your members of Congress and your local county commissioners know. These agencies don't have big bucks in their budgets for campaign contributions...

Answer 2

a million. How do you many times vote? For the superb candidate. 2. what's your age? Over 50 3. what's your race? White 4. area? u . s . a .? State? ** 5. what's your faith? Christian 6. Social risk-free practices? c. it is going to be privatized or eradicated. 7. Healthcare? c. centred wellbeing insurance, (like Medicare) 8. risk-free practices? a. we elect greater spending on protection and stay the international’s great potential. 9. Liberty? d. the government intrudes too plenty in our lives 10. Tax device? d. we are taxed too plenty customarily AND too many methods 11. faith? d. the government should not be religious in any way 12. the government could desire to be answerable for offering my………… money retirement benefit (social risk-free practices) ( I pay for that. that's no longer presented.) 13. Patriotism? a. usa is super, our freedoms and capitalism set us aside, I’m pleased with my u . s . a . 14. I evaluate myself……… b. Conservative with some liberal ideals. 15. what's the function of government? (elect purely one) a. to guard our freedoms and risk-free practices sixteen. On a scale of a million-10, how plenty could desire to the government be in contact in our lives? 0

Answer 3

i am on medicaire but i also have supplemental coverage from a HMO...i am on the new prescription plan but i don't use a lot of medicines so i should be alright...too bad the government has to be involved though,,,my answer probably isn't as in depth as you were looking for.. lots of people think we would be better off with canadian style medical coverage, i don't think so...i have canadian relatives by marriage, they don't think much of their medical system..

Answer 4

There are some problems with it. But, when you are there, you will be very glad it is there.