WP: Medicare Premiums To Rise 13.5%

[CShine]

The monthly Medicare premium paid by most older Americans will increase by 13.5 percent next year, Bush administration officials said today.

The premium for Medicare Part B, which covers physician services, outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment and some home health care, will go up $7.90, to $66.60 a month, for 2004.

Most Medicare beneficiaries do not pay a premium for Part A services, which includes coverage of inpatient hospital stays, because they have 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment. The Part A deductible, however, will rise by $36, to $876 in 2004.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30850-2003Oct15.html

[Don_G]

1. Why Not?

He's already cut the pay and medical benefits for the soldiers serving in Iraq and now he's after the seniors to pay for his disasterous policies.

Oh well, I suppose his campaign contributions and advertising will make up for the loss of the 65+ year-old voters.

[twilight]

2. too bad they don't mention the SS increase!

Probably another lowly 2% or some crap. Those of us relying on Medicare and SS and slipping further and further into debt, esp. if you get a small SS check! Probably won't even break even ... :grr:

Remember something please. Some disabled persons in America are also on Medicare and paying these premiums. It is not only the "old" folks!

OUT THE DOOR IN 04 BUSH*!!!

[Lugnut]

14. Exactly!

Breaking even is beyond the realm of possibility. And naturally the Medicare supplemental coverage will get hiked also. In one pocket and out of the other. :mad:

[Malva Zebrina]

3. If you do not have the money

then the best thing to do is to not see a doctor and get caught up in all the scams of prescription drugs and all the rest--just manage to live out your life the best you can. Enjoy while you can

[Pastiche423]

11. It took me awhile

to get to that frame of mine, but I'm there now.

Besides, Medicare pays for jack shit.

[diamond14]

4. bush* killing more of our seniors...when will seniors object to shrub?

OUR Seniors and OUR Veterans are dying on the streets right outside the White House....

TWO major hospitals closed in D.C. last year (D.C. General and Columbia Women's Hospital)....bush* responded to this crisis by KILLING more of OUR Veterans (cut $90 Billion for the VA)...

and NOW...bush* KILLS more seniors by upping their costs to pay for his war on Iraq....all the while, bush* steals from pensions, social security and NOW THIS!!!!

will OUR Seniors allow the shrub to waste ANOTHER $80 Billion to grease his election contributions from Haliburton, Carlyle, and other slimy reTHUGlicans???? down the hole of 'happy Iraqi war profiteers'....$80 Billion gone already, and NOW, will Congress give OUR Seniors medical money to ANOTHER $80 Billion Iraqi circus of endless uncontrolled war profiteering....where's the outrage????

[pansypoo53219]

5. has to pay for his tax cut for the rich

SOMEHOW. so what if your grama has to eat cat food.

[JeebusH]

10. actually dog food ....

cat food is too high in protein for human comsummation

[bluestateguy]

6. That's a tax increase

[bluedog]

7. and we're giving Iraq $$$$$$87 Billion to Iraq?????

The Medicare premium increase is likely to erode much of the modest cost-of-living adjustment that Social Security (news - web sites) recipients will receive next year. Economists anticipate that the adjustment, based on inflation, will be around 2 percent. The government will announce the increase Thursday.


AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, said Congress should not approve additional payments to medical providers until it passes a prescription drug benefit. When the cost of the program rises, participants end up footing more of the bill.


The large rise in premiums "emphasizes even more why action on a drug benefit is critical this year," said Kirsten Sloan, AARP national coordinator for health issues.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20031015/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/medicare

[madfloridian]

8. AARP has an activism site.

Millions have been fighting for these programs. They are just not listening.
http://capwiz.com/aarp/issues/?style=D

[twilight]

9. KICK!!!!

Don't let this one die! They are voting on these issues THIS WEEK!!!

:dem: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[leesa]

12. I guess our dear prez and the rest of the Crime Family and our

non-representatives don't have to worry about MediCare...they have super-excellent benefits for life! What a deal we gave them!!!

[pfitz59]

13. Frist family needs more money!

Frist family of Medicare fraud!