Cutting Medicare to Pay for Healthcare Reform

[SortofLiberal]

Have any of you checked into how much money we currently pay private health insurance companies in government subsidies?

I have checked into it, but can't believe the numbers that I am reading so if anyone else would please check into this and let me know what you find. I would appreciate it. If I am reading this correctly, we could pay for healthcare reform just by cutting off the government checks to the private health insurance companies. I am not talking about what we pay them to process Medicare claims, but what we pay them in subsidies. If I am reading this right, it makes the farm subsidies look like pocket change.

I don't think the seniors have to worry about a cut in benefits because if we just cut off the gravy train that AIG, BCBS, etc. have been on for years for doing nothing, we will be able to take care of them better and of those lacking insurance too.

[GetAClue]

I believe we should cut off ALL subsidies. Let the companies compete in the market place without having the government pick the winners and loosers.

[MichMike]

Have any of you checked into how much money we currently pay private health insurance companies in government subsidies?

I have checked into it, but can't believe the numbers that I am reading so if anyone else would please check into this and let me know what you find. I would appreciate it. If I am reading this correctly, we could pay for healthcare reform just by cutting off the government checks to the private health insurance companies. I am not talking about what we pay them to process Medicare claims, but what we pay them in subsidies. If I am reading this right, it makes the farm subsidies look like pocket change.

I don't think the seniors have to worry about a cut in benefits because if we just cut off the gravy train that AIG, BCBS, etc. have been on for years for doing nothing, we will be able to take care of them better and of those lacking insurance too.


My god...somebody else realizes that the private insurance companies are raping Medicare and the taxpayer. Ending this madness along with reduce costs big time.

[MintJulep]

My god...somebody else realizes that the private insurance companies are raping Medicare and the taxpayer. Ending this madness along with reduce costs big time.Raping Medicare? Surely you are joking. Medicare only stays afloat because those paying for private insurance pick up the large tab of what Medicare doesn't pay.

[MichMike]

Raping Medicare? Surely you are joking. Medicare only stays afloat because those paying for private insurance pick up the large tab of what Medicare doesn't pay.


This is beyond a joke. Medicare only exists because the private market is motivated to shun those that can't pay significant amounts of money or are vulnerable (hint: old). A true free market failure.

I've explained the damage private insurance companies have inflicted on the tax payers many times. If you have been too lazy to read these dead on posts, google Medicare Advantage Overpayments (and Bushipoo's defense of them). Private insurance companies have been stealing for a long time...that is about to be changed..

[doctordog]

This is beyond a joke. Medicare only exists because the private market is motivated to shun those that can't pay significant amounts of money or are vulnerable (hint: old). A true free market failure.

I've explained the damage private insurance companies have inflicted on the tax payers many times. If you have been too lazy to read these dead on posts, google Medicare Advantage Overpayments (and Bushipoo's defense of them). Private insurance companies have been stealing for a long time...that is about to be changed..

I agree, we are going to be lab rats predetermined to die.

[MichMike]

I agree, we are going to be lab rats predetermined to die.



I agree, we are going to be lab rats predetermined to die

- Medicare opponents 1965

[doctordog]

I agree, we are going to be lab rats predetermined to die

- Medicare opponents 1965

Talking about Bush on the other thread and now 1965, Earth to MM, this is 2009!:lmao2:

[MintJulep]

This is beyond a joke. Medicare only exists because the private market is motivated to shun those that can't pay significant amounts of money or are vulnerable (hint: old). A true free market failure.

I've explained the damage private insurance companies have inflicted on the tax payers many times. If you have been too lazy to read these dead on posts, google Medicare Advantage Overpayments (and Bushipoo's defense of them). Private insurance companies have been stealing for a long time...that is about to be changed.. I don't need to read your posts. I know precisely what Medicare pays and how severely they undercut payments to providers. Doctors/hospitals could not stay in business were "Medicare" their only payer.

Stop getting all of your "facts" from Huff-n-puff. It's glaringly inaccurate.

[MichMike]

I don't need to read your posts. I know precisely what Medicare pays and how severely they undercut payments to providers. Doctors/hospitals could not stay in business were "Medicare" their only payer.

Stop getting all of your "facts" from Huff-n-puff. It's glaringly inaccurate.


This is cute coming for the student. Tell me what Medicare Advantage Overpayments mean again? :lmao2:


I can't believe how ignorant the far right is on the issues...it's too bad because we need more smart people to seriously discuss answers...not Fox News talking points (putting the defeat of Obama ahead of the lives of people). I'm afraid I'm dealing with a right wing ideolog here.

Please understand that it is the left/moderates that want to increase the amount doctors are paid under traditional Medicare (republicans don't like this). In addition, it's the left/moderates that want to decrease the massive giveaways to the private insurance companies...passing out free band-aids and charging nothing for policies that the elderly on traditional Medicare pay for with higher premiums - sickening...now you have some education.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/15/politics/washingtonpost/main5385812.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

[MichMike]

Come on little minty


Mint, Mint? Come on now...