Why republicans like the idea of "Medicare Vouchers"

[SoCalDem]

Insurance companies are shitting bricks right about now when they look forward.. Boomers have ALWAYS "used" their services in large numbers as we worked...and now as we start to retire, we are saying "adios" and embracing Medicare.. Many of us will buy their "supplementals", but not all of us, and many more will take the el-cheapo plans they offer.

Republicans love the idea of keeping their biggest donors solvent..

Generations after us are smaller and more likely to work for less wages, and many are unable to afford ANY of their "offerings"

They have scrambled the golden eggs and are preparing to eat the goose:)

[BzaDem]

1. Actually, there is a much bigger reason they like Medicare Vouchers -- over time, it ends Medicare.

And I don't just mean ends Medicare as a public program -- it ends help to seniors for healthcare entirely.

Why? Because the vouchers (in their plan) are only set to grow at normal inflation -- NOT medical inflation. That means that the value of the voucher (relative to the cost of treatment) will decrease exponentially year after year, until it is basically worthless.

Think about it this way. What would happen if you put 100 dollars under your mattress now, and then took it out in 30 years? What would you be able to buy? Probably not even a fast food meal. What about in 60 years? Probably not even 2 gallons of milk.

That is what will happen to Medicare. In 30 years, 60 years, etc, the money Seniors get won't even be able to pay for a doctor's appointment.

[CTyankee]

4. Of course. This is the end game. Finish off SS and Medicare by defunding it

and then turning around and saying "See, we told you it doesn't work!" The Conservatives in the UK tried the same thing a few years back but there was a real backlash.

[SoCalDem]

8. and they are anticipating a senate takeover in '12 and an even bigger majority

by '15 (after the '14 elections), so they know it's safe to float this trial balloon now, so people are used to the idea by the time they have the power.

They also know that once something is taken away, it's nearly impossible to get it back.

[CTyankee]

2. Wasn't it Rand Paul who suggested a $2,000 deductible per year for Medicare?

For the first time, I am beginning to think that this go-round the RW will actually WIN! I had hoped that Independents would rise up in revolt, but I think that even they have been drinking the Kool Aid. They'll win it with all their blather on social issues. I'm depressed just thinking about it...

[SoCalDem]

3. Yep.. and he's a DOCTOR.. (of course one of his operations costs more than that)

even though he created the board who certified him:rofl:


It will be just like the school voucher crap.. a coupon for bargain basement care, that most people will probably not have the energy to track down.. more dead elders, less SS money to pay out.. repubs love it

[CTyankee]

5. I'm going to tell my former co-worker, a self styled "conservative,"

about the Rand Paul idea and suggest to her that surely her elderly (and very poor) mother could afford a $2,000 deductible, and if she couldn't, then the rest of the family would just have to pitch in. "It's not fair that I should pay for your mother's Medicare!" I'd like to see the look on her face if I had the nerve to say that to her...

[SheilaT]

7. Do it. Say it.

She needs to hear back at her what she, and those of her ilk, are essentially saying to the rest of us.

[shraby]

6. Another reason, usually "vouchers" are a promise to take the

cost off the tax bill at tax time, the Senior has to pay the costs upfront out of their social security. Most Seniors don't make enough for the voucher to have any effect on their taxes which is often very little anyway.
We bought a new furnace but had no use for the energy tax credit for this reason. You can't reduce what you don't owe because you don't make enough to pay much in taxes at all.

[CTyankee]

9. Absolutely true. Our accountant said we don't need any more tax credits because we

don't earn that much money any more. Great. As a matter of fact, we may pay our outstanding oil heating bill out of our refund (which is usually used to pay for repairs/maintenance). It's ove $10,000 this year (the refund not the heating bill!)...