According to the LATimes.com, “under the Republican approach to Medicare, the next generation of seniors, those now 55 years old and younger, would be given a fixed stipend to buy health insurance.”
That’s going to take a mighty big stipend. Are they nuts? Where are the guarantees?
On Friday:
Mitt Romney‘s running mate, Paul Ryan, was booed at the annual AARP convention after saying that, if elected, their Republican administration would repeal the nation’s healthcare law as the best way to save Medicare.
Just five minutes into his talk at the gathering of the powerful 50-and-older lobby on Friday, the architect of the Republican proposal to change Medicare for the next generation of seniors was repeatedly interrupted as he criticized President Obama’s healthcare law.
Things got worse by the time Ryan said they would repeal “Obamacare.” He thought he could explain what he was talking about but the AARP conventioners would have none of that. The booes persisted and some in the audience shouted that Ryan was a liar. Some finally marched out on Ryan.
Is the Republican party that out of touch? Hasn’t this been a bad enough week without sending the number 2 guy in to tell the leading retirement lobby that they were going to start screwing around with their Medicare? That’s like telling someone they are going to love their root canal without anesthesia. Medicare in an extremely popular program that Americans have paid in to their entire working life.
The Medicare drug program is popular also EXCEPT for the doughnut hole. The doughnut hole is where seniors who take a lot of drugs land and pay out the ying yang until their fulfill their obligation or the new calendar year hits. Under “Obamacare” the cost for the doughnut hole is closing. As of this year, those participating in Medicare D (the RX program) only pay 50% of the drug cost while they are in that cost bracket.
Many drugs cost the hundreds of dollars for seniors. Cutting these costs in half often means the difference in having to cut pills or not or cutting back on food or doing without phone or basic TV. People like Romney and Ryan apparently are too far removed to realize this. Obamacare will continue to close the doughnut hole until that is no longer a part of Medicare D.
Should other ways to save on prescription drugs be looked at? Of course. That should include negotiations with Canada where drugs are much less expensive. (even my Frontline for the dogs is half the cost ordering from Canada.)
Ryan and Romney need to study up on their constituency that involves normal Americans. They are really blowing it. Why would anyone go into a solid base and threaten to take away their security? Out of touch!
I still haven’t figured out why he went to the AARP. That group was part of the “partnerships” to advance Obama’s agenda. Their insurance companies stand to make millions off of his program.
Oh well. Can’t please everyone. In his case…about 47% 😉
Now we have a war on AARP.
Might it be simpler to just list who the war isn’t at?
Now we have a war on senior citizens. Let’s see, you Republicans have declared war on public employees and their unions, women, government workers, people who don’t supposedly pay federal income tax, immigrants, gays who want equal rights, planned parenthood…..what’s left?
Many senior citizens are members of AARP and seniors are a strong Republican voting blog these days. Sounds like blowing up your own house to me.
What’s this partnership crap?
Now why would pharmaceutical companies charge so much for meds for older Americans – these are not specialty drugs needed for only a very small number of people? Oh, that’s right they can make a heck of a profit from the government. Corporate welfare.
Who is left? The vey wealthy, the wanna be’s and the very fearful.
Ths came out Friday. These poor poor companies..we need to help them stimulate our economy. How about they pay their fair share. Note “or get the gov to pay them money”. Where’s NTK?!
Microsoft, Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard were among the companies Levin singled out for criticism over their tax-avoidance practices, but they are not alone. Most multinational companies pay a tax rate well below the 35 percent rate mandated by law. Some avoid paying taxes altogether, or even get the government to pay them money. These loopholes cost the U.S. government billions of dollars in revenue that could be used to help close the budget deficit.
Using complex schemes to shift U.S. revenue overseas, Microsoft was able to avoid paying taxes on $21 billion in revenue between 2009 and 2011, amounting to about half its total U.S. sales, according to the subcommittee report. The company avoided paying $4.5 billion in taxes, or about $4 million per day, during that time, according to the report.
@Lyssa
Corporate taxes are just an added cost that make the final product more expensive and reduce a company’s ability to compete. Corporate taxes represent a hidden tax that the consumer is forced to pay due to higher cost of the product. They also make American products more expensive compared to those produced with foreign labor. This encourages companies to move production overseas, which is the last thing we should want with high unemployment.
If Congress didn’t have such whores running it, they would legislate penalties for going overseas.
Funny how corporations are “people” only when its convenient like Citizens United. However when it comes to the unpleasant part, corporations are now sacrosanct and shouldn’t be taxed.
Thank you so much Kelly but I get it. I also get profit. Mine is down, is yours?
My other point (which I hope is not made as repeatedly) is that Republicans know they have to pull their factions together to win. Will they carry that newly learned knowledge to congress? We need to pull together as a country to win.
I read a blurb on how electronic medical records were supposed to decrease (government) healthcare costs but the opposite has occurred. Docs an hospitals figured out they could use higher (reimbursement) treatment codes.
“But, in reality, the move to electronic health records may be contributing to billions of dollars in higher costs for Medicare, private insurers and patients by making it easier for hospitals and physicians to bill more for their services, whether or not they provide additional care.”
Hidden tax on the middle class. A win!!
More legislation! Legislation for when to go to the bathroom, how many of each type of bathroom trip allowed in one day! More and more and more legislation! That’s the answer!!
Truth in advertising: Seniors offend Ryan at AARP speech.
My primary interest is in seeing Obama defeated. His use of executive order has been positively Chavez-like. Regardless of political affiliation, Americans should be horrified that Obama “found” the authority to issue executive orders for measures ( e.g. EPA regulatory guidance) that he could not get through Congress.
@kelly_3406
Obama supporters will never be offended. Or, at least, never publicize it. Everything that he does or says is given a pass. Anytime that he is criticized..its “hate.” He’s not held to the same standard that past presidents were. He can say and do the most extreme things….it’s ok. He “means well.” He doesn’t actually mean what said.
Spot on Kelly. It’s not what he’s done, but how he did it that bothers me the most. Obamacare meetings with locked doors, and all that. Nancy’s famous phrase about having to pass a bill so that we can find out what’s in it. Astonishing that the American people accepted every action without question as to the process.
http://legalinsurrection.com/2012/09/being-booed-by-aarp-is-a-badge-of-honor/
@Moon-howler
Here you go. Links to the story of the Obama/AARP partnership.
If they want to support it…that’s fine. But here’s the whole story.
Just because I mentioned it before…does not make it a “war on seniors” or AARP. You are inventing that.
AARP advocated for Obamacare. That’s why Ryan was booed. That’s why I’m not joining AARP. Their “benefits” are overpriced and my dues would support the Democrat party.
@SlowpokeRodriguez
There is practically no legislation.
I just don’t give corporate America a pass to reap the benefits of being American but refusal to accept the responsibility.
@Second Alamo
nancy Pelosi is a nitwit. Don’t confuse her with Obama. They are two different people.
@Cargosquid
This seems very much like one person’s opinion to me. Now, is AARP a lobby for older Americans?? You betcha. It is also very inexpensive to join. Something like 8 bucks a year.
Obviously the author wasn’t really an advocate for geezers, thus, his opinion.
Of course there is a war on geezers and it will only get worse the more of us there are. Its a voting block. The existing geezers are a very different generation that the geezer newbies who are baby boomers. Baby boomers rocked your world 40 years ago and they are getting ready to rock it again.
The numbers and the tempraments add up to some interesting years ahead.
All those folks who fought for civil rights and all those vietnam war protesters are coming of age at something like 1 every 8 seconds. Even though all the old hippies became capitalists, they are still loud and demanding.
@Marinm
Hidden tax on the middle class. A win!!
Or fraud on the medical provider’s part.
I believe that article also pointed out that investigation and prosecution would be almost as expensive as recovery of the monies fraudulently collected.( Perhaps a few well-publicized prosecutions would go a long way in preventing the average doc or facility from erroneously using higher treatment codes.)
@Cargosquid
Its a mistake to think all older folks don’t pay federal income tax.
They are exactly the same, different sex, that’s about it. Obama’s eyes don’t spin around at various rates when he talks, there is one more difference.
Apparently you aren’t listening closely. Your statement isn’t really worthy of a response.
Have you looked into the financial stake that AARP has in Obamacare, selling supplemental insurance? AARP would use the elderly as fertilizer if they could make a buck on it.
You really aren’t familiar with the organization, are you?
They aren’t selling supplemental insurance. That is United Health care. They have also been working with insurance companies for years for plans for seniors.
@Moon-howler
I wasn’t saying that. That’s why I had the smiley….just using the number 47% as a joke.
Well, Kinda. Because the polls have Obama at……47%
“Even though all the old hippies became capitalists, they are still loud and demanding.”
At least 40% of Tea Party supporters are at least 55 years old, and the older ones among them probably felt like they were “rocking the world” back in the 60’s too, but now are screaming against “socialism” but still wanting to make sure they get all they feel they are entitled to get. And no one has the political stomach to touch THEIR entitlements. It’s the rest of us younger boomers who foot the bill for them but have no assurance of being able to retire before we require walkers to get around.
@Moon-howler
@Emma
The t-party peeps dont appear to be what I think of as rocking the world nor do they seem like old hippies. Not saying it isn’t true…just saying its a real stretch for me.
Young boomers will be ok. After that, not so sure.
I have a problem with everything being called an entitlement. If I am entitled because I paid in for the past million years, then it only includes social security and medicare. I would say Military and govt pensions would be entitlements also.
The free stuff from people who didn’t pay in …like medicaid and other social programs, then those aren’t entitlements.
I have steam coming out of my ears when mediCARE and mediCAID are lumped together.
AARP stands to gain in insurance profit with Obama care.
Since AARP doesn’t sell insurance, I don’t see how.
What people are calling AARP is United Health Care. There is some sort of name use arrangement. I am sure not for free.
Translation: “Yeah, I know.”
Sure I am familiar with it. Do I belong? No. Doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about it. How many seniors did they piss off by supporting Obamacare? You probably don’t remember. They have a financial interest in supplemental insurance sales. My statement is true and still stands correct: they’d grind up seniors and use them for dog food supplements if they could make a buck doing it.
@Pokie, wouldnt that be self defeating?
That would be like the Boy Scouts of America selling sex change operations.
I think you are too young to join. Cargo isn’t.
You are bashing something that millions of people over 50 join and like.
They are a loud lobby for older Americans. If they ground up all the senior citizens and geezers, who would they lobby for?
…And oh, by the way, if right-wing conservatives booed Obama, you all would have your knickers in a real twist. We all know how it works with you lefties. One-way criticism only, please!
I’ll state again, none of this may matter…..the voting population of the US may have very well looked into the face of the demon and decided he’s not so bad. My new boss, who immigrated legally from Greece and knows what he’s seeing and I know better.
Should I not take cheap shots about listening to him on financial advice?
Obama is booed every day of his life by the right. I dont care that any one booed Ryan. Its just rude.
@SlowpokeRodriguez
“Sure I am familiar with it. Do I belong? No. Doesn’t mean I don’t know anything about it. How many seniors did they piss off by supporting Obamacare? You probably don’t remember. They have a financial interest in supplemental insurance sales. My statement is true and still stands correct: they’d grind up seniors and use them for dog food supplements if they could make a buck doing it.”
Soylent Green is people!!
@Lyssa
“AARP stands to gain in insurance profit with Obama care.”
Yup. ObamaCare was/is a bailout of healthcare interests and has consolidated the market from smaller players to larger ones. By use of force the Government has given insurance companies customers that must by a product or face the wrath of the Government.
They sell Life, Health, Dental, Vision, Auto and Motorcycle insurance. And all kinds of Medicare gap policies and supplemental plans.
You may want to read this
http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/09/22/the-aarps-2-8-billion-reasons-for-supporting-obamacares-cuts-to-medicare/
They aren’t their companies. They lend their name to the recommendation is the best way I know of explaining it. for example, the gap insurance is provided by United Health Care. It is AARP recommended. They are instrumental in setting up the industry standard.
I think it was a biased article. For example, 50-1 were opposed. Would you take the time to call in favor of the status quo? Probably not. Forbes Magazine is obviously a conservative outlet for media. AARP, not so much.
I guess this is how I feel. 1. They don’t sell those things you listed, Lyssa. i can’t tell you jack about the life insurance but I can about dental, rx and medigap. The dental is through Delta Dental and the rx and medicap is through United Health Care. Do they draw royalties? Sure.
What the seniors are supporting is the closing of the dough nut hole. As for Medicare Advantage…I am not sure what that really was other than an HMO type of plan that operated outside of medicare.
There is the NRA for @A and AARP for that which we cannot avoid. They obviously aren’t making their dough off of dues. Neither is the NRA. Meanwhile, I will cheer on AARP for that dough nut hole legislation. That is exactly the kind of lobbying my husband needed since he takes so much medicine.
If the geezer brigage starts feeling like AARP isn’t representing them, they will go somewhere else. its that simple.
No. The Shakers’ policies prohibiting sex were self-defeating. The supply of gullible seniors is not in danger of drying up any time soon.
By the way…I wasn’t paying close attention….did Obama show up at geezer-fest? Or did he just teleconference in?
Dunno. May the geezers pick apart your bones like a jackal. Was that militant enough?
@marinm
Soylent Green is people!!
But it taste soooooooo good……..
Another win for AARP!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoMNDdQ1_h0
Those ‘geezers’ need to understand who is running the show.
Moon – I’m correct. This is one of the major fallicies of Obama’s plan. Big insurance supports it. They stand to gain.
I still don’t know what your original premise is.
Mine is that AARP doesn’t own and operate what people think is AARP. It is United Health Care. In the case of dental, it is Delta Dental. Are royalties involves? yes. On this score, I am correct. I know who the checks to go in this house.
Insurance companies are in business to make money. We can’t squeeze the profit out of them.
I guess the question becomes, do you want a lobby for older Americans or no? If not, don’t join AARP or buy the insurance associated with them. Pay double rather than 50% of drug cost when you are in the doughnut hole with meds. It is very competitive with others in the industry and often gives better coverage.
Medication like celebrex takes a huge bite.
I have a friend who has been on Medicare since May 1. She is already in the doughnut hole because she is diabetic. 50% off drugs out of pocket beats 0% off drugs you are paying for out of pocket all to hell.
I dont know all the formulas or how much you are alotted. I just know that paying half price is better than full price. Mr. Howler just went in it this month. He takes a lot of medication.
Am I supposed to be hating AARP, looking at it from my family’s perspective? I think that would be rather foolish on my part. Please please let me pay twice as much!!
I never figured out what Medicare advantage was. Can’t argue it. It was an alternative plan outside of Medicare is all I know.
You need a PHD in something to figure all this out, btw. It is very complicated. I had to do it for Mr. H. It takes the entire family. Down side.
Whatever this all means.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81572.html
The president addressed them via satellite just before appearing at Pfitzner the other day. Why the 30 delay from the time he arrived to appearing.
Here’s another take on the AARP speech.
http://www.widgetserver.com/syndication/l/?p=1&instId=d92e8894-0639-452f-8e8d-61e1b81ba17c&token=a4b2c5f60db6584e949236059c10f2b3bab6741c00000139f7b29b3f&u=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10000872396390444813104578014243421799324.html%3Fmod%3Drss_opinion_main