Why do the elderly get free medical care

[pasadenaboy]

but not children?

It doesn't make sense to me. Isn't it much more just and cost effective to treat disease in children rather than elderly?

I don't understand why we are talking about a prescription drug benefit for the elderly when many children lack basic health care. I think our priorities are wrong.

For my 100th post, thought I would say something that was always bothering me, but I never hear anything about.

[aquart]

1. You're so right. Let Grandma die.

[pasadenaboy]

2. what do you mean?

Nt

[KittyWampus]

16. Grandma Has To Pay School Taxes

Even though she doesn't have any kids in school.
So her getting Medicare evens things out.

sarcasm... kind of...

[BurtWorm]

9. Right. That's exactly what he's saying. Let Grandma die.

:eyes:

But I think this is an extremely valid question. Maybe Lieberman is onto something--and probably just this one thing, considering it's Lieberman that we're talking about--that children ought to have a Medicare program of their own. Medikids is a little cutesy for my taste, but the principle seems right. Every child in the US ought to have free--or subsidized at the very least--health care.

[democracyindanger]

3. In general, how many of the elderly have others

taking care of their needs? Children have parents.

[ProudGerman]

4. I've thought about it too

The conclusion I've come to is that usually the kids have someone to take care of them. Also, in this country, you used to get really good health care coverage when you worked. The elderly usually have to rely on a pension and social security, a pittance really. I don't think I ever recall companies offering health care coverage to retired employees.

Plus, the elderly's medical care costs can really, really skyrocket. I also see it as a sort of a thank you to the older folks for contributing so much to the country. But that's just a personal feeling, and why I want it to stick around.

[sandnsea]

11. Alot of retired employees get health benefits

I know quite a few in their 70's who have it. And it's a bit of an annoyance to me that they seem to use it every time the wind changes. Their premiums are not covering their health costs and it is driving up the costs overall. Care for the elderly is a huge portion of the cost of health care in general. Even Medicaid, I wish I could remember the percentages, but it's a huge amount.

[SharonAnn]

34. Some current retirees in their 70's may have health care, but

that's not going to be the case for those even just 10 years younger. Companies have drastically cut back retiree health care in the last 10 years (especially that last 3-4) and they reserve the right to cut back on health care for those who have already retired.

Get ready for it! There will be NOTHING for retirees health care.

[sandnsea]

39. I agree

Just trying to add to the knowledge pool here. For one thing, I don't want young people to not know 'how it used to be'. And I also think all the things that go on with health care need to be addressed. I don't begrudge anybody health care, but sometimes I get a little annoyed when I know the 10th test somebody has had is driving up costs for everybody else. In one particular case, the man has had the same headache for 15 years. They know the cause, there's no cure and it's not going to go away already!

[roughsatori]

13. In the USA Seniors do not receive free treatment or medication

the original poster was incorrect. Medicare pays a portion, so if you can't afford to pay in the first place you still can't get help. Also there is no prescription drug plan for Seniors. But most Americans are so youth obsessed they have no idea how ruthless our system is on the elderly.

[sandnsea]

22. Where do you live?

My dad is on Medicare and he only has Part A and he gets free treatment when he's sick. It doesn't cover everything and it doesn't cover prescription drugs, but he isn't going to die if he gets sick either. That's what Medicare was set up to provide.

[Pastiche423]

38. I am on Medicare A

and it pays for jack. No medications, no wheelchair, no personal hygiene, no personal care attendents, no medical treatments. Nada, zippo, zilch!

And I live an hour from you.

[sandnsea]

41. My dad lives in Arkansas

Yes I know Part A doesn't pay for everything, but it will keep someone from dieing. That was its purpose in the first place. Just trying to put things in context a little bit. And he doesn't get bills for his office visits, maybe it's because he's been a patient there for 20 years or so. I don't know. And I am not happy with medical care in Oregon, I don't know what all they've done in this state that's different than others. I hope you are not in a position to lose needed care.

[roughsatori]

44. It does not keep people from dying: see my post above

Many seniors die in this country because they are in situations like my parents.

[roughsatori]

43. Well my mother and father have cancer

My father also has a lump in his liver, one in his kidney, and a heart aneurysm; they would have to pay so much in the deductibles that it is cheaper for me to pay for private insurance. You may not be aware of his deductibles. I was not aware of my fathers until he got so sick and refused treatment because he was afraid he would lose his home and leave my mother homeless when he dies. I sneaked and looked in their check-book they had 89cents. They were hiding it from us. I luckily have a nest-egg to help them with.

[sandnsea]

49. Okay I apologize

And I should have known better. The deductible can be a very difficult amount of money to come up with. My father is still able to work and does on occasion, he likes to stay busy. He undoubtedly paid my mother's without even mentioning it and just isn't sick himself very often at all. He also has a savings to fall back on. Sincere apologies, I know you're going through a tough time. My mom was sick for ten years, it's very tough.

[roughsatori]

52. That's OK, thanks

I did not realize how bad off my own parents were. I too thought that Social-Security would pay for everything. Also that fact that my father is a WW2 vet made me believe they were in the clear. I try to spread the word because there are people who really need health-care in this country. It must be horrible to be in my shoes and watch your parents die when you can't afford to buy them health-care. The guilt must be awful.

[Yupster]

53. Well if it doesn't cover everything, then

it's not free then is it?

[Flying_Pig]

27. In addition to the co-pays, and the...

deductables, they also have to pay for their Medicare policy. Granted, it is cheaper than private insurance, but not one gawdamn thing is free about senior health care through the government's Medicare program. Similarly, it is also not free for the disabled, like me, who are unable to work. We have to pay the same rates as the seniors. No one gets a free ride!

The only fair and sane way to deal with the health care crisis in the nation, is to go to single-payer, or socialized medicine, ala a Canadian system. The richest nation on earth, which can spend trillions on bombs and wars, yet can't take care of its own people. If you want to raise hell, raise hell with the corporations and the greedy fuckers, who have, and are, preventing a sane and moral system from being adopted!

[juajen]

47. I agree, and

since I am a mother and a grandmother, I will say this. I have five children, all taxpayers, and two grandchildren, so far, who will soon be taxpayers. Though I don't consider myself elderly yet, without us, you ungrateful *its wouldn't exist. Just kidding, but, gee whiz, whoever said medicare was free?

Additionally, in most states, children whose parents make less than $30,000, are eligible for CHIPS, in effect, free insurance. My single-mother daughter makes over the limit and has trouble affording the over $250 monthly to insure her two children. It should probably be on a graded system, so that very poor families pay nothing, and people like my daugher pay considerably more. This would cover a lot more children.

[Clete]

5. I agree.

Children should also have access to free medical care. Incidentally, it's not free. It's part of the FICA deduction on your paycheck, which all the elderly paid into at one time. There is in addition a deduction from Social Security for participation in Part B of the Medicare plan. Also, Medicare only pays 80%. If you don't buy Medigap insurance (also not free), then you have to pay the 20% out of pocket.

Hopefully Medicare will be extended to children and eventually everyone one of these days.

[roughsatori]

20. Medicare does not provide free treatment for Seniors!!!!

I hope you are saving to pay your own premiums when you get older. And put some aside for medications. We need universal health-care.

[Clete]

28. You misunderstood.

I am already dealing with Medicare. And we spend about five hundred dollars a month for prescriptions. We are getting drugs from Canada for a considerably less than here, but now Congress is apparently going to make this against the law. Yeah, I know free my ass. I was trying to be polite to the poster while clenching my teeth.

I was talking about a movement to extend Medicare to everyone with more complete coverage, which in effect would make it into universal health care.

[roughsatori]

46. Sorry, I just can not let this go by: I am furious that Democrats

Don't know how bad it is for the elderly. I know the Republicans don't care, but if Dems think seniors are already getting prescription drugs and free health-care they are no better--because ultimately it leads to the same thing: poor people not getting medical attention.

I wasn't sure when I read your post, and I was in a hurry to try to let all posters know the USA does not provide free medical care or prescription drugs to all Seniors (Unless of course they have been a Congress person, Senator, or President in their past).

[sandnsea]

6. Parents can work to provide for their kids

Old people can't.

But with the cost of health care these days, something is going to have to give really soon.

[pasadenaboy]

12. I actually think

elderly people have more control over their finances than children do.

I agree many need help, and should have health benefits, but the arguement that kids have parents leaves out the fact that...

1) The parents could not care about the kid

2) The parents could be poor, just like some of the elderly.

I think because the elderly vote, they get medical care and children don't, because they don't vote, and its not right, in my opinion.

[sandnsea]

35. Voting is part of it

Yes, I would agree with that. But a parent that doesn't care about their kid isn't going to take them to the doctor anyway. And parents that are poor can get Medicaid. Nearly 40% of all babies in the US are born on Medicaid. So poor kids are getting help. I'm not against doing something different with our health care system, I just understand how hard it would be for the elderly to work to pay for their own health care. My daughter works in an assisted living center, they really can't do anything about their financial situation.

[SharonAnn]

7. Because, back in the 1960's, the elderly couldn't get medical

insurance but younger people could. And it was affordable.

So, many people over 65 were dying because they couldn't get medical insurance and thus couldn't get medical care, especially care for serious acute or chronic conditions.


And, of course, back in the 1960's we actually cared about such things so Congress (after much fighting) finally enacted Medicare.

[roughsatori]

15. Spread the word they still don't get free treatment

Medicare does not pay 100% coverage and there is NO prescription plan.

[roughsatori]

8. The elderly do not get free medical care

I know because I pay the monthly insurance bill for my 76 year old veteran father and my mother. Medicare pays a percentage and it does not pay for a single medication that they are on.

The Medicare bill will only reimburse wealthy seniors for their medications. My parents are too poor to qualify for that.

You really should read up on this before posting such incorrect information.

All Americans should receive free medical care regardless of age. We are the richest country in the history of the world. You are doing what the Repukes want: people to fight among themselves for a piece of the American Pie.

[DemBones DemBones]

So true! And people only get one part of Medicare free; the other

part must be paid for. Needless to say, the free part is quite limited in what it pays for!

Drugs are not included at all, as you also point out. Younger people are often unaware how very expensive drugs can be, particularly drugs that are commonly needed by elderly people.

[pasadenaboy]

19. I think you are making a false choice.

Just because I am in favor of healthcare for children, and think it is a shameful thing that our society doesn't seem to care about it, doesn't mean that I oppose healthcare for the elderly. I actually believe in universal healthcare.

I'm just saying, in my mind it is unbelievable that we leave so many children without access to medicine.

[roughsatori]

23. No you made a false claim in your original post

That is what I am so angry about. There are so many poor elderly in this country who can not AFFORD health-care and you are spreading falsehoods on a public board that the elderly all get free treatment in this country--that is a lie. That is what I am angry about. Ignorance like that will keep people from heath-care.

[dsc]

10. because

health care is offered through employment and elderly don't work (or didn't back in 64). In theory children should be covered through their parents work and medicaid if the parents are on welfare or SSI. Back in 64 that was probably true as virtually all jobs came with health care benefits. It should be noted that 64 is when Medicaid was created as well.

[Rick Myers]

14. What the Hell are you talking about?

My father had 43 years in at 'the railroad.' Retired, now he has Alzheimer's, and my parents STILL pay $600 a month for ADDITIONAL coverage over his 'retirement' coverage...

This guy worked his ass into an early grave. For what?

As a vet (not service related) I have better care than this man that gave 43 years to a corporation that just tossed him aside in a situation not unlike Enron or Worldcom.

:shrug:

[roughsatori]

17. Thank you: The elderly do not receive free medical care in the USA

I am so furious right now. I pay the premium for my parents and one of them is a Veteran. No wonder the Dems can't get any votes over this issue--no on seems to know about it--even on a Democratic board.

[CHIMO]

18. Divide

&.. Now how does it go?

How about starting out with the proposition that only the healthy should have medical help.

Or that politicians not have any health insurance from their position?

Need some original ideas here.

Just think, if there are fewer children there will be less older people later.

Cost effective means reduce costs? Then give up the human( saying this liberally) race and there would be a lot less costs.

[pasadenaboy]

21. Okay, suppose I change my premise

why do the elderly get subsidized health care and not children.

Is that fair?

Jeez, everyone is so hateful. If I made a mistake, you can correct it without being so mean and disagreeable.

[CHIMO]

26. Because

You don't want to have a system that insures everyone.

If you did then you would elect politicians that would implement this.

Reread your post to see who is mean!

[Isome]

24. Children are entitled to medical care...

If a child's parents are unable to provide it, children can receive medical care paid for by the state. It's called Medicaid.

[pasadenaboy]

25. why then

do all the dem candidates talk about the large number of uninsured children in the country. I'm confused?

[Clete]

Why don't you write them and ask them?

There are many uninsured children of working parents, who are not covered by health insurance from employers, but who aren't eligible for medicaid. So they fall between the cracks.

[roughsatori]

33. Because they have parents who work and have no insurance

If your parents make too much for the Medicaid limit you can't get it. And the limit is very low before they cut you off. They are the working poor: people who work but receive no insurance form work. They make enough to maybe feed and cloth their children but not enough for medical care.

[roughsatori]

29. Thank you and I think that if single adults make over 236 a month

they make too much in my state. Imagine, if your social security check is over 236 a month you are expected to PAY for your health-care. That is what happened with my folks. They make over the amount needed for Medicare, but not enough to get buy. I am lucky that I have the money to pay for their insurance premiums. And the private insurance does not pay much of the cost of medications.

[xray s]

30. Medical insurance should be available to all

I favor universal health insurance coverage under Medicare for all Americans. Young, old and in-between. This should not be an issue that pits young against old. We are all in this together.

But lets clear something up right now. The elderly do not get "free" health care. Medicare pays for a portion of their health care, not all of it. The balance has to be covered by supplimental health insurance or is paid in full out of their own pockets.

The issue with the elderly is to try to make their health expenses affordable given their limited income. The rest of us also have to pay for the insurance. Nothing is free. But it makes sense that a government run system, with standardized claim procedures and without the need to generate profits for stockholders or pay huge top management salaries and marketing expenses, is the most cost effective way to provide health insurance to everyone.

It's all about a society helping its weakest citizens...because it's the civilized thing to do.

The alternative is the law of the jungle...social darwinism...the strong and powerful eating the weak and sick. The stuff that was popular in Berlin circa. 1939.

I do not want to live in that world.

[DemBones DemBones]

31. Most elderly people must take one or more prescription drugs due

to one or more chronic health conditions.

Most children do not take prescription drugs on a regular basis as they have no chronic health conditions.

Besides that: the elderly paid FICA taxes throughout their working years, qualifying them to receive Social Security retirement benefits and Medicare.

Medicare is not, however, free health care -- as is explained in other posts in this thread.

I believe that all children are able to get some basic health care free (or very inexpensively) through local health departments. I know it's possible to get all sorts of immunizations there.

However, one reason I support Dennis Kucinich is that he plans to expand Medicare and have it cover everyone in the U.S., all paid for by the government. He'll cut out the missile shield program (which we all know doesn't work) and other wasteful Pentagon expenditures and give us something useful instead.

[friendofbenn]

32. everyone should have healthcare

its a fundemental human right. end of

[Demobrat]

36. The elderly don't get free health care.

They get health care that they paid for thoughout their whole working lives with FICA taxes. We all know what a bite those take. I for one hope that when I'm old, after having worked and paid FICA taxes for oh, say, 47 years or so, that I will be able to get a little help with medical expenses if I need it.

[pasadenaboy]

37. I apologize to everyone whom I offended

being 33, I don't understand all the facts about medicare and medicaid. I was posting what I knew and asking a question.

If my premises were wrong, I appreciate the correction.

I agree there is no choice between the elderly and the young. All should have access to healthcare, regardless of ability to pay. But I was trying to point out that nobody seems to be doing anything for children, probably because they don't vote. If I said this in a way that was offensive, I'm sorry.

[Clete]

40. Voting has nothing to do with it.

It's the for profit health care industry that derails any plans that are put forth to fix the system to an equitable and humanitarian one. In the meantime I have voted for every candidate who at one time or the other promised universal health care and I will again in the next election. Whether it gets changed into law, who knows? But it wasn't for lack of trying.

[Clete]

42. If you are truly interested in learning about the issue,

here is a website that explains it pretty well. It has a lot of information about universal health care. http://www.pnhp.org/

[xray s]

45. You do not need to apologize!

And you are right on your point that the focus is on the elderly because they vote.

[Desertrose]

50. That was gracious of you pasadenaboy

This is a touchy subject and most folks on this board really know their facts....

I applaud you for being concerned about the kids...but in point of fact it is the elderly anymore who really need protection as well- only in a different way.

I watched my elderly mother struggle to pay for her prescription drugs for years before she died...it was between $500-800 per month. My Dad used to own a drugstore and they never thought they'd end up paying so much money for their medications. It was a matter of the medicine or necessities.

(I was unable to help her financially...I have no healthcare at all and simply cannot afford to get sick.)

This is one of the reason I like Dennis Kucinich's plan...we can spend $87 bil on destroying & rebuilding another country but we don't want to take care of our own people? This makes no sense.

But it is possible for us to do this- with DK's plan it won't cost us more individually - we just stop the waste of billions on Pentagon projects. Do you know they can't account for trillions of dollars??? While the elderly -all of us-are being crippled financially just to pay for pharmaceuticals while all the big corps keep making profits...something is definitely out of balance here!


Peace
DR

[zoidberg]

48. Kids don't vote, the elderly do

There are underlying arguments for both, but that unfortunately is the real reason.

[REP]

51. What Are You Smoking?

Elderly get free medical care? Not in this country, bud. This is the country where the elderly cannot fucking afford the medicine they need to stay out of the fucking hospital - or the grave.

Free? So the money my mother pays when she desperately needs to see a doctor isn't real and she should stop complaining? Should I tell her to go to the doctor whenever she is ill (and not just when she is extremely ill) because it turns out to be free? Grow the fuck up.

People can avoid having children they can't afford to take care of very easily. It is less easy to avoid growing old.

Few children have the chronic illnesses that the elderly do. As many have pointed out, Medicaid covers children, and in my state, there is very low-cost insurance for children - but not for low-income adults; adults who could work and support themselves (and their children) if they were healthy.