Just my though on Obama's remark on Social Security

[bigdarryl]

When watching him talk about Social Security in some trouble I'm thinking DAMN!!!Mr. President you just made Scary Perry's point on the PONZI SCHEME!!

[INdemo]

1. he did not say Social Security..he said Medicare reform

and his press secretary just included medicaid reform

[bigdarryl]

2. OK my mistake then

[SadPanda]

11. Your mistake? Really?

I think you intended that "mistake." Medicare does not sound like Social Security. You took the time to post an entire thread on it.

[Mz Pip]

3. No he didn't..

There are things that can be fixed.

I have a friend whose father was dying of cancer. He had 4 months to live, but the doctor removed a bunch of non-cancerous skin tags and billed Medicare for it. This is just one rather silly example but I suspect this kind of thing is pretty widespread.

[gateley]

4. Also the cost of prescription drugs. We could save a lot of money

there.

[Mz Pip]

5. I agree there.

Why is stuff that has been around for ages so damn expensive? My migraine medicine is covered by my insurance but I do get a statement about how much it would cost if I didn't have insurance. $10 a pill for a drug that is already in generic form seems a bit steep.

[glowing]

6. There are items within the programs that could be reformed.

As people's files become electonically filed, there will be less need for multiple specialists to run the same test. The specialist can look up someone's MRI or a heart specialist can pull up a patients blood tests performed by the general practitioner. The Govt can insist on all hospitals or Drs charging similar rates for similar types of treatment. A private hospital would have to perform at the same sort of price tags.

A really good idea would be for Medicare to set up a competitive market insurance to sell insurance to those under 65 or companies with a pool of workers. If the post office can compete competently (and I don't mean the shady shot republicans did to them with the required pre- payment for the worker pension for current workers and future hires), then why can't the Govt compete with other insurance companies and use the revenue to help offset the costs of older Americans who only drain on the system? This isn't a Pubic Option, it isn't Medicare for all, it is an idea for the Govt to compete alongside private corporations and could set up a mandate upon itself where they would not discriminate. Also, they would be able to adequately pool individuals and small businesses in a manner that helps individuals and small businesses have a fair, competitive shake when it comes to the costs. Essentially someone working at GE with bennies would be have similar insurance payments as someone working at a family scrap yard business. And competing with the Govt for those under the age of 65, would help to bring private insurance companies' costs down. These companies would also put pressure on the Drs and hospital groups to bill fairly.... U know $16.00 for Tylenol is nuts. And since everyone is mandated to have insurance, it's good to have our Govt competing for the money citizens will have to spend. There is no good reason that we the people as a Govt shouldn't be able to compete alongside private corporations.

[Mz Pip]

7. I'm a big proponent

of electronic files that can be accessed easily. I can see this not just as a cost saving measure to avoid duplicate testing but as a way to save lives. Files that list allergies and reactions to meds would certainly avoid potential serious risks.

[Whisp]

18. I think that is such a great step forward and will certainly save lives and money, as you say.

This is the kind of reform Obama is working toward, but people still insist he wants to take Granny Smithers crutches away and sell them to give the profit to his corporate masters. oiy.

[OwnedByFerrets]

9. All those things you stated are wonderful

I would be joyous if they were implimented. Medicare reform will be in ONE form however, increasing the eligibility age, whichs fucks me and millions of others that are sure to need it before we die.

[glowing]

13. Exactly the opposite of what people of this country actually want.

People want a Medicare for all type of system.. .Republicans love, love, love the free market. So, why not try to push them into thinking about having Medicare sell plans like the private market does to individual people and companies like a private company does. Why not allow the Govt to make money on the "free-market" ideal. Too afraid to compete with a Govt model that doesn't allow for a "profit" to just pay out insane CEO types of money... the profits could go into securing health care for retirees. Eventually, most people would be within the medicare model, and the private. blood-sucking private insurance companies would be obsolete.

[OwnedByFerrets]

15. The puppet masters (wall st) wont let this happen.

[kjackson227]

8. "IF" Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid have to be...

reformed, then I'd rather President Obama be the one to do it, instead of a Republican Tea Party president.

[loyalsister]

12. I never thought of it that way

It's a very very good point!

[thelordofhell]

10. It's in trouble because the U.S. can't pay back the money borrowed from the surpluses over the years

Greedy pigs.

[scheming daemons]

14. Wow... didnt take long to start posting lies about the speech

[dionysus]

16. you surprised?

[Pirate Smile]

17. Oh, bullshit.

He has said Social Security isn't a long term problem. He has said that it is very easy to shore up which is all that is needed. He has said, multiple times, that all you need to do is raise the cap from $106,00 and it is fine. There are multiple ways to raise the cap. You could donut hole it or something like that. He has said REPEATEDLY that Social Security isn't the problem and it is VERY easy to make it sustainable for the long term.

I get so SICK of Democrats equating what the President wants to do - like raising the money cutoff # at which people stop paying SS payroll tax - to the Republicans who want to privatize it & turn it over to Wall Street.

Reforms in Medicare to get out the fraud and crap IS NOT the same as Republicans wanting to voucherize it.

Details matter, people. Don't help Republicans by distortion and deception.