AP Exclusive: Medicaid for the middle class?

[Thrill]

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's health care law would let several million middle-class people get nearly free insurance meant for the poor, a twist government number crunchers say they discovered only after the complex bill was signed.

The change would affect early retirees: A married couple could have an annual income of about $64,000 and still get Medicaid, said officials who make long-range cost estimates for the Health and Human Services department.

After initially downplaying any concern, the Obama administration said late Tuesday it would look for a fix.

Up to 3 million more people could qualify for Medicaid in 2014 as a result of the anomaly. That's because, in a major change from today, most of their Social Security benefits would no longer be counted as income for determining eligibility. It might be compared to allowing middle-class people to qualify for food stamps.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110621/ap_on_bi_ge/us_health_overhaul_glitch

[DJ13]

1. This is an abomination!

It should cover everyone.

[leveymg]

2. In every civilized country in the world, that would not be considered something needing a "fix."

Fix the system so that everyone is covered by single payer or a public option.

The perspective in this country on these issues is so far to the Right it makes me ill.

[Mimosa]

4. Mainstream media coverage on health care issues skews right and corporate

Have you noticed how much of cable news adverts are big pharma sponsored?

[karynnj]

3. This actually helps people only 62 and older taking their SS benefits early

There was concern that many 55 to 65 year olds would "retire early" because they lost their jobs - and the healthcare that came with it. Health care for people this age would be exorbitant because of the companies could charge more by age. This would affect only those 62 and older - because that is the youngest (barring a disability) that you get social security benefits.

If you consider that you would only take your benefits starting at 62 if you needed to (or knew you would not live long enough to regret the permanent lower payment.) I assume that the $64,000 equals the income limit and the SS benefits for relatively high earners discounted because they both took them at 62.

[MacNfries]

5. Medicaid for everyone ... Think of what's happening, people!

I honestly don't think a lot of people (those with good paying jobs) have taken the time to realize what has happened to the economy over the past 10 or so years ... stock market crashes, homes depreciated, savings depleted, medical inflation, jobs lost ... the list goes on and on. Most unemployed people over age of 55 are now considered unemployable by many businesses, so they're unemployed for the long haul. And to think, many of these people had happy, middle-class lives before Bush's last big "trickle down" push.

And this comes at a time when the Government has FINALLY realized its time to reorganize/change basic SS & Health care entitlements ... so toss those into the list, and with baby boomers starting to retire, they're heading into retirement uninsured, with no wealth/savings, and kids that are scattered out over 50 states ... and the discussion is how to change/get rid of Medicaid entitlements?

Possibly it IS time the Mayan calendar & Rapture come true ... it'll beat sitting 28,000 older people per week out on the streets.

[craigmatic]

6. Why fix this. This is a good thing isn't it? It means more people covered.

If they leave the law as is I'd apply for medicaid.

[DrToast]

9. Because it's unpaid for

People who can afford to pay for health insurance should pay. Medicaid is for poor people that can't afford to pay.

[craigmatic]

11. Personally I don't think that's really such a big problem because they can always

expand the program first to let the people get a taste of it then the people can force the politicians to pay for it. It'll show what a government run health care system can do and it'll bring a whole new generation of advocates for the cause.

[Vinca]

7. Was this an intentional "glitch?" It makes so much sense.

[bornskeptic]

8. Makes sense because it allows some rich people to game the system?

To reach the $64,000 mark each spouse would have to have been making at least the SS tax cap for 35 years-which is over $100,000 annually in 2011 dollars. They might have several million in assets, and it would be easy to arrange things so that their income other than SS would be under $20,000, while cashing in a couple hundred thousand in assets to live on. They would be eligible for Medicaid, while a poor couple making $25,000 a year would have to purchase insurance. It's true the poor couple would get their insurance for an extremely low price, but they would still be paying more than the affluent couple.

[Mass]

10. Apparently, these people have never tried to find a doctor that takes Medicaid.

Around where I live, the vast majority of doctors and clinics do not take it,