This is what's wrong with insurance and medicare

[sisters4]

What people have to remember is that there are a lot of Medicare providers who are out there providing great care at a great risk. You can do everything right but because of all the people and providers out there who are ripping off the system we all have to suffer. Medicaid is a whole other story. It is very complex and if you have never had to negotiate this you can't imagine the exposure. We need to be careful what we support because we may become a society with no providers of any health care. Andy A knows what I am saying.

 

[ugabuga]

I have to say that Medicare was great for my mother in the several years prior to her death. Medicare was much easier to deal with--and much fairer, I thought--than the private for-profit health insurance company the rest of the family was dealing with.

 

[30ashopper]

I have to say that Medicare was great for my mother in the several years prior to her death. Medicare was much easier to deal with--and much fairer, I thought--than the private for-profit health insurance company the rest of the family was dealing with.

It seems a mixed bag. I have a close familiy member who has lung cancer. Medicare has been little to no help, while his private insurer has been there every step of the way.

 

[ugabuga]

Republicans in both the Senate and the House have introduced bills that would eliminate the new Independent Payment Advisory Board, which is supposed to come up with ways to rein in excessive Medicare spending ? and stiffen Congress?s spine.

Starting in 2014, whenever Medicare?s projected spending exceeds a target growth rate, the board of 15 members (drawn from a range of backgrounds, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate) will have to recommend reductions in payments to doctors and health care providers to bring spending back to target levels. These recommendations would become law unless Congress ? not known for its political courage in such circumstances ? passed an alternative proposal that would achieve comparable savings.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/opinion/22sun1.html?hp