Medicare

[dr. freeze]

This year, medicare has slashed reimbursements to my profession by 12%:scared :scared :scared

Maybe the leftists in Congress will now at least adequately fund it?

If I am forced to see Medicare patients I would like to at least be paid.

The BS Republicans pulled with their payoffs to pharmaceuticals and insurance industry screwed over doctors big time by allowing the regulators to hose us on payouts. If they continue to do so, doctors will quit seeing Medicare patients then the *&^$% will hit the fan.

Health care in this country is about to break.

Socialized medicine is NOT the answer i mean NOT NOT NOT the answer. You folks who want that have NO IDEA what you are asking for. I see what goes on in a V.A. daily and it is a complete joke and horror stories are played out because of the legistical nightmare.

And complete socialized medicine will NEVER take place as those with money will pay for private hospitals and the community/public hospital will be even worse than it is now as you will have completely unmotivated people WAY understaffed trying to take care of you.

 

[djv]

Whats medicare if not a national program. Would it not work if by law anyone on it must have backup insurance to cover the 25/30% it does not cover. And why can't that work for the 43 million with out any insurance. That is helping break the system as much as anything is.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

Stop being such an economic girlie man. If you don't like the rules of your trade, no one's stopping you from getting a job in another one. Typical.

 

[Chadman]

Freeze, seriously, I was going to start a thread on the problems we face with medical care now and moving forward, and ask your opinion, considering your role. Seems like a good time, I honestly would like to hear some opinions on this...what the heck can we do about this issue, which is in my opinion the biggest issue we face as a country (depending on your take on Iraq).

This issue is really hurting a lot of people and it shows no sign of letting up. It is taking a toll on everyone, considering what we pay, and there are certainly many that cannot afford to have insurance, or make up the difference in what Medicare does not take care of now.

This is an issue that deserves a lot of attention, and nobody seems to want to deal with it - for good reason. Both sides freak out quickly, like immigration. I think this is bigger than that.

Please, share some ideas, anybody.

 

[The Sponge]

John Kerry had a pretty good plan in 04 but that is history now. Republicans like with Hillary back in the day, will fight this to the death. This is something for the country and i never saw one platform in my lifetime where they did something for the people. Why is it that the republicans have had control for six years and not once did one of them step up and present a plan? they hate programs like this because it cuts into the huge debts they always leave. If we didn't have programs like this they can run up bigger debts

 

[Chadman]

I'm not looking for ANOTHER partisan argument here, so if you guys can hold that back and just talk about the issue and what COULD be done, that would be great. We all know we all blame the other side for the problems.

You're in charge...what do you do/propose?

 

[djv]

Chad it is a big problem. And of course being 65 next Feb gets my attention more then ever. Having many family members over 65 I see results others here may not. There is no question if we have a national program it will come from this direction. There are problems as there are with every program . The one I see is our Doctors have to be able to run the medicine show when it comes to our care. The insurance industry and government don't have a clue what is best for our health. But the government and insurance companies can find ways to help cover cost at reasonable rates for there product. When I turn 65 I am told I will pay to medicare $98 a month. It is automatically taken from by S/S each month. Next I pick up my own insurance to cover the 30% that Medicare doesn't. Some say you can be left depending on procedure 33/34% for your private insurance. That private insurance will cost me $128 a month. Total for both $226. I'm Also left with co pays of $20 per Doctor visit. The rest will be covered. To me turning 65 is like getting a
raise. That is because now I pay $430 a month with a $1500 per year deductible plus $15 co pay each doctor visit. Come On 65. Now look at companies that say there insurance cost for there workers is hurting there bottom line. Don't you think those companies would like the medicare plan for there workers. Share/Share. There insurance may end up lower for both parties. I say maybe. Why because more then just the feds we really Don't know how fair the insurance companies would play. That is why the Fed's may have to set guide lines. But not ones that stop a Doctor from doing what he believes he has to.
For dam sure to make this work we need to get the 40 million that don't have insurance on board.
And with help with a plan above maybe some of them could afford to get on it. And then we do need to cap rewards for legal wars for screw up's by docs or hospitals. I'm sure they can find a number that works for all involved. But 250000 to 300000 is a insult. Dam legal bills can be that high. Make it at least a million maybe two million tops.
And of course those like today that are settled for less let them. Theres a start Chad. It's at least a idea.

 

[The Sponge]

okay John Kerry's Idea in 04. Find it and implement it. I just forgot what it was but i remember back then i liked it.