House Ways and Means Committee Approves Medicare Expansion

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The House Ways and Means Committee voted on Friday to advance a measure expanding Medicare coverage to include vision, hearing and dental care. Under the plan, vision benefits would begin in 2022 and hearing would be added in 2023 while dental coverage would start in 2028.

The 24-19 vote to send the measure to the House Budget Committee fell almost entirely along party lines, with Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) joining Republicans in voting against it.

Murphy, a leader of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, said Thursday that she would vote no on the elements being considered by the Ways and Means Committee because she felt the process was “too rushed, driven by politics rather than policy.” She complained that panel members didn’t have clarity on what would be in the broader package or official Congressional Budget Office scores for the components they were considering. “I don’t know how much we’re spending, how much we’re raising, how we’re spending some of the money, and how we’re raising any of the money,” she said.

House committees are working to approve their portions of the Democratic budget reconciliation bill by September 15. The House Budget Committee would then combine those elements into a single package that Democratic leaders hope can be brought to a full floor vote within weeks.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-ways-means-committee-approves-225214245.html

[2naSalit]

1. A six + year wait for dental coverage?

I could use that right now while I'm spending a few thousand on dental work right now. I'll probably die the day it goes into effect.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

4. I've been waiting to hear the details on dental as well

And this is quite disappointing. I need considerable dental work done now, but am trying to avoid using our limited retirement saving to pay for it.

I don’t understand how making me wait for over six years is supposed to help. And if the Republicans take over in the meantime, they’ll surely kill it anyway.

And hearing loss is starting to really become an issue as well. Anybody know if those cheaper new hearing aids really help?

[jimfields33]

8. I would think cleanings and maybe cavities will be covered

I would be surprised if they include anything beyond that. They’d have to raise that 144 dollar a month Medicare cost up another 100 dollars at least. One implant is thousands of dollars.

[BadgerKid]

6. I'm told some dentists don't take medicare

Because they can lose money on those patients.

[2naSalit]

9. Most in my area don't.

I have to buy separate insurance for anything at the dentist. I spend $300/year on cleaning and exams that don't ever find anything and I have to go to the next county over for that. And I have to go to another state to get the actual work I need done that the nearby dentist never noticed, like needing a new crown and two fillings. Not that I could have afforded that but still.

I'm not favorably impressed by this, sounds more like lip service.

[bluedevil4]

7. you probably know this

but I take out Anthem blue dental. It's $32 a month. FYI

[Tree Lady]

12. I was thinking same thing

Retired no insurance, getting a crown next week and filling replacement for $2000. Where do they think we have that kind of money?

[Walleye]

2. Too rushed? I probably won't have any teeth left by 2028

[GoodRaisin]

11. Lol

I doubt I’ll even still be alive by 2028. Happy for the next generation of retirees though.

[Klaralven]

3. Which companies listed on the stock exchange make dental implants?

[Sucha NastyWoman]

5. Unless they get a lot cheaper, implants probably won't be covered anyway.

I figure it’s only going to cover dentures/partials unless implants come way down in price.

[GoCubsGo]

10. Good, now how about lowering the age to 55 or 60 while you are at it?