"More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they are perfectly happy with it, because of an attempt by the government to simplify their lives. The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors.... who could experience some disruption and inconvenience while see[ing] changes in their premiums and copayments"
Yeah, just what seniors want: a HASSLE that is going to COST THEM MORE MONEY!
A Dollar a Day Keeps Obama in Play
The ONE TIME we DON'T WANT a CHANGE and he gives us one!
"Millions of seniors may face Medicare plan switch; Report looks at bid to simplify drug coverage" by Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press | August 26, 2010
WASHINGTON — More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they are perfectly happy with it, because of an attempt by the government to simplify their lives.
The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who had not intended to switch plans during Medicare’s open enrollment season this fall.
And it risks undercutting President Obama’s promise that people who like their health care plans can keep them.
Hey, he has BROKEN SO MANY he is a BIGGER LIAR than BUSH!
A new analysis by a leading private research firm estimates that more than 3 million beneficiaries will see their current drug plan eliminated as Medicare tries to winnow down duplicative and confusing coverage in order to offer consumers more meaningful choices....
I NEVER LIKED the IDEA of CONSUMING HEALTH CARE, sorry.
Just DOESN'T SOUND or SMELL RIGHT!!
Bonnie Washington, a senior analyst with Avalere Health, which produced the study, said “There is still going to be robust choice for beneficiaries, but those who have to change plans could experience some disruption and inconvenience.’’
While seniors would not lose Medicare coverage, they could see changes in their premiums and copayments....
In other words, they are going up.
Founded by a former Clinton administration budget official, Avalere serves industry and government clients with in-depth research on Medicare and Medicaid.
Leslie Norwalk, former Medicare chief, said the change might make things easier for people signing up for a drug plan the first time, but harder for those already in the program.
“If you’re in a plan that you like and you have to change it, it will be disruptive,’’ said Norwalk, acting administrator under President George W. Bush. “It depends on how [Medicare] handles it to try to make it as seamless as possible.’’
And we all know what a great job government does at making things run smoothly.
Insurance industry representatives declined comment, saying privately the companies do not want to antagonize Medicare.
Why? What would they do, retaliate by cutting off payments?
Reducing the number of drug plans has long been a goal for consumer advocates. This year, nearly 1,600 plans offered a dizzying range of options, many of which were not significantly different.
Somehow MAKING YOU UNHAPPY is their GOAL?
But Medicare is going ahead with the consolidation in a hard-fought election year. Republicans have barraged seniors with allegations Obama and the Democrats raided the program to expand coverage for younger generations under the health care overhaul. Obama’s promise that people can keep health plans they like was made in the context of that broader debate, but the president has repeatedly assured seniors their Medicare benefits are safe.
I don't think anyone believes his promises anymore.
“Some opponents of the [health care] law may say that this is taking away choices, but we have heard from our members for years that the [drug coverage] options can be confusing,’’ said Nora Super, AARP’s top health care lobbyist. The seniors lobby supports the change.
That's looking out for seniors, huh?
AARP’s public policy branch is separate from its business side, which sponsors Medicare and other insurance plans....
Yeah, sure, whatever.
--more--"
"Workers said to pay 14% more for health insurance in 2010" by Drew Armstrong, Bloomberg News | September 3, 2010
WASHINGTON — American workers will pay about $4,000 to get health insurance for their families through work this year, 14 percent more than in 2009, according to a survey yesterday from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Employees’ average share of premium costs for family coverage is $482 more than last year as economic conditions push companies to pay less of the bill, the report said....
And if you read the business pages of the Boston Globe companies are reporting profits all the time.
And take it from me, workers are sick of hearing that s***.
They know!
Reducing health care costs was a promise of the health care overhaul law signed in March by President Obama....
Hey, what is ONE MORE BROKEN PROMI$E, America?
“Businesses have been shifting more of the costs of health insurance to workers through premiums, deductibles and other cost-sharing,’’ said Drew Altman, Kaiser Family Foundation chief executive, in a statement. “From a consumer perspective, the cost of health insurance just keeps going up faster than wages.’’
**************
Even as workers pay more for their health insurance, they’re getting less coverage for their money....
Heck of a DEAL, huh?
“What insurance is in this country is gradually changing. It’s becoming less comprehensive. It looks less and less like the comprehensive coverage their parents got,’’ Altman said on a conference call discussing the study....
Wow. ALL THAT MONEY and the CARE is WORSE than our PARENTS!!
I feel SORRY for the KIDS TODAY.
By the time they get old they will be dying in the streets.
Hey, at least WALL STREET and the health care executives are in GOOD SHAPE!
Related: Opening Up the Health Care Bill
Why You Will Love the New Health Law
The Buts in the Health Care Bill
Unhealthy Obama
Better shape than you, 'murkan.
