Paul Krugman blog: Privatizing Medicare. So they're really going to propose it.

[flpoljunkie]

April 4, 2011

Privatizing Medicare
So they’re really going to propose it.

More when we have some details. But two key points:

1. Privatizing and voucherizing Medicare does nothing whatsoever to control costs. We’ve seen that from the sorry history of Medicare Advantage. I’m sure that the Republicans will claim savings — but those savings will come entirely from limiting the vouchers to below the rate of rise in health care costs; in effect, they will come from denying medical care to those who can’t afford to top up their premiums.

Oh, and for all those older Americans who voted GOP last year because those nasty Democrats were going to cut Medicare, I have just one word: suckers!

2. E.J. Dionne is right: This will be Obama’s defining moment. Will he stand up for the principle that society takes care of those in need? Or will he cave in? I wish I had confidence in the answer.

[Lint Head]

1. And Blue Cross Blue Shield will make out like a bandit.

They just bought CIGNA Government Services Medicare, transition to take place May 1st, and they are being investigated by the Department of Justice. They already own the Medicare operations of Cahaba, Palmetto and Trailblazer. These companies run big swaths of Medicare in our country.
http://hme-business.com/articles/2011/03/31/cigna.aspx
http://schealthcarevoices.org/2011/03/30/justice-department-investigates-blue-cross-blue-shield/

[flpoljunkie]

2. Don't forget Vermont's Blue Cross Blue Shield who aims to be their single-payer

They already have 75% of the state's insurance business.

[FormerDittoHead]

3. "This will be Obama’s defining moment. Will he stand up for the principle..." HA! HA! HA! HA! n/t

[msongs]

4. unlike dems at the top, repubs stand for what they believe and push for it nt

[ProSense]

5. Republicans have courage

That's all that matters! Scott Walker...Courageous!

Love, the Media.

[Mimosa]

6. Dionne's column is great.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-end-of-progressive-government/2011/04/01/AFQbjTXC_story.html

[Lorien]

7. Privatizing anything never helps to control costs. When repugs say that it "needs

to be privatized" what they are really saying is "It's too cheap. Let's make it expensive and we'll pocket the profits."