Are Republican policies behind rising Medicare premiums which leave Americans without basic health care?

Answer 1

It is very easy to say that the current Medicare situation is a "Republican" or "Democrat" problem. The fact is that this is just way TOO easy!

Reality is
1. as people age, most will encounter more health problems.
2. most older people who need health care don't have jobs. Those who can work and want to aren't typically hired in jobs that provide health insurance benefits. The reason is sometimes "age discrimination" or more probably the fact that older people on employers' health insurance plans will, indeed, raise the premiums that the employer must pay to maintain health care plans. Health insurance premium costs are one of the most significant cost centers in businesses of all sizes--and good solutions to controlling these costs are elusive.
3. year after year the costs of medical care-- including dental care and costs of prescription mediciations--has far exceeded the rate of inflation. This means that older people--those who need medical care the most, but have the least ability to pay--are the ones who are the victims of the health care system--expensive, yes--but vital to life.
4. in our society, few want to face the fact that if they are fortunate, they will be "old" some day. Few want to think about the prospects of disability and physical demise. "Suffering" feeling isolated, or being dependent on others is not something most of us want to think about, yet this is the reality for many older people.
5. in our society we treat older people with derision and isolation. Many characterize retirees as "greedy geezers" when most are middle or lower income. Many seniors have courageously served their country in the military and are supporting grandchildren, younger family members and are volunteers in their churches, synagogues and communities. Many older people are caring for spouses and relatives either at home and/or in nursing homes and hospitals while their children and grandchildren are at their jobs. Older people know a lot about life and about caring. Yet, being older is not honored as it is in many other cultures.
6. in our society health practices are not a priority for the younger people who will be old someday. There is a lot of "lip service" by the media on the "health topic de jour" --obesity comes to mind--but expenditures for health promoting behaviors through public health have declined and significant consequences for bad health practices--like smoking--aren't implemented. Citizens' hearts and minds must be won if good health practices are to happen. And, most people I know would say that it is none of your business if I smoke, drink alcohol excessively, practice un-safe sex or eat junk foods...it is my body and my life.
7. Anyone who is reading this knows what it is like to be a young child and to be in school. Most of us know what it is like to go through adolescence, to be young and have a job, get married, have kids. But until one is hit with a major disability or a health problem, one does not get to experience what it is like to be vulnerable. Until one is hit with a chronic health problem--one that does not "go away" or "can be cured," one does not understand how life changes. Until you face interview after interview without getting a job--and you see all the young "whipper-snappers" being hired, it's hard to understand the anxiety and despair that many older job-seekers face. When you --or someone close to you--is faced with age-related problems of the chronic kind, your level of insight quickly expands.

Yes, there is a problem with the rising Medicare premiums. There is a problem in financing Medicare period. There are also problems with Congress' failure to make cost-effective community health services that support older people and their family caregivers in their homes a priority. There is the need to re-authorize the Older Americans Act. And, yes, there is a big problem when millions of Americans--of all ages--are without basic health care.

But this is not a "Republican" or "Democrat" problem. This is an all-American problem! It's your problem and mine. Look in the mirror and ask yourself what you doing about it? What plans have you made for your own aging? Have you discussed end-of life decision-making with your parents? Do you care whether people of marginal incomes in your community who have health needs get these needs met or not?

Please, take care of yourselves! And remember, if you aren't getting older, you just ain't living!

Answer 2

No.
Show me in the Constitution , where it says , Free Health Care For All .
My step dad died a year ago of a massive stroke and was in a coma for months.
Every effort was made to prolong his life , even tho the prognosis was hopeless. Doctors and specialists crawled out of the woodwork like roaches to feed at the Medicare trough .
After Medicare , my mother ,age 78, was stuck with a $90,000.00 bill .
A bill which could have been avoided , if he'd been allowed to pass peacefully at the beginning .
I'm 58 and I have signed papers to the effect that, I'm not to be revived , force fed , ventilated or prolonged in any way.
Just keep me comfortable and let nature take it's course .

Answer 3

Yes! Their policies are behind the rising cost of everything, and the difficulty to obtain Services as well...

Answer 4

I don't believe so. Medicare is for the elderly & disabled. . .the problems in the disparity of the broader American commuity with having "no basic health care" have nothing to do with Medicare. . .however, rising premiums certainly do not help the elderly & disabled, do they?

Answer 5

Medicare is for people who retire, age 62 or older, Some companies have health care plans they will match funds for, others, you have to pay for it yourself. Medicare you pay for through your social sercurity, and use it when you need it, when your over 62.

Answer 6

Yes a JOB would fix any health care problem you may have. Which should cover you in retirement as well. If not then further your education to make it possible.

I am self employed and offer health care to my employees and it's not that expensive if you want good employees.

Good attempting at twisting the issue but it failed

Answer 7

Who do you think is paying for the health care of the illegals in this country? Could it be, say Medicare? Could this be why those that actually pay, have to pay more? hmmm....

Answer 8

Seriously? People should take responsibility for themselves and save their money instead of buying designer shoes and plasma TVs, then they'd be able to pay their own bills instead of relying on the government for "entitlements."

Answer 9

The real question what is the motivation for the sudden drop in gas prices? Nothing else has changed except we are just weeks away from the election!

Answer 10

TennCare, the healthcare program in Tennessee, introduced by the democrats, bankrupted the state...

thanks again Hillary for such a great plan

yes nationalized healthcare, that will solve all problems.... '/sarcasm