Pine Mt Beagles wrote:Following Republican efforts to pass the Medicare Act of 2003, Bush signed the bill, which included major changes to the Medicare program by providing beneficiaries with some assistance in paying for prescription drugs, while relying on private insurance for the delivery of benefits.[123] The retired persons lobby group AARP worked with the Bush Administration on the program and gave their endorsement. Bush said the law, estimated to cost $400 billion over the first ten years, would give the elderly "better choices and more control over their health care".[--
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--NOW WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF HE,,,,HELPED SOME PEOPLE WITH HEALTH CARE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH HELPING A LOT OF PEOPLE WHILE WE HAVE THE CHANCE,!!!!!!!!!
STILL=STILL INDEPENDENT
For one thing, let's make sure you aren't confused on this issue. Bush wasn't giving anything away. Medicare is not Medicaid. People who receive Medicare have paid into it through the SSA over 40 quarters of employment, and many continue to pay for it beyond their retirement. It's an insurance policy regulated by the federal government, but it's not free to the beneficiary; there is a monthly premium based on how many quarters you worked. In fact, here are the premiums for Medicare as listed for 2009:
Medicare Premiums for 2009:
Part A: (Hospital Insurance) Premium
Some people do not pay a monthly Part A premium because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
The Part A premium is $244.00 per month for people having 30-39 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
The Part A premium is $443.00 per month for people who are not otherwise eligible for premium-free hospital insurance and have less than 30 quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
Part B: (Medical Insurance) Premium
$96.40 per month*
Part B is what Bush signed to enhance, not the major medical portion. Part B pays for therapies, meds, DME such as wheelchairs, etc. He was helping people who were helping themselves by paying into the program.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is Federal/State welfare funded by tax dollars. My tax dollars, your tax dollars and everyone else's tax dollars go into it, even though we may never qualify for or receive any of it's benefits. Bush wasn't feeding into the already bloated and abused Medicaid programs.
