What needs reform isn't Medicare.

[jpgray]

"Bend the curve" on Medicare, but do little to address the rate of increase in the cost of care, and you've done nothing to address future health care deficits, even if you eliminate the program entirely or if it had never existed. If we are committed to care for seniors, as they become ineligible for Medicare in greater numbers or receive fewer benefits, they are doomed to pay for private insurance. They cannot afford this. If we remain committed to caring for them as we have, then we will be paying more in public subsidy to private insurers than we would have done had we cared for them through Medicare. As Medicare is cheaper than private insurance, we could do more to address deficit health care spending by expanding rather than contracting the program.



In the end, it seems the political will exists for health care deficits in the form of public subsidies for private insurance. The political will does not exist for expanding a cheaper means for providing care. Absent Medicare, we'd still have a health care deficit crisis. Absent soaring health care costs, Medicare ceases to be the same kind of immediate crisis.

So why Medicare reform? How is our health situation improved by either limiting eligibility or benefits, unless the plan is to provide less or worse care to seniors?

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. This country is run by corporations and the rich, and their lackeys are The GOP nt