Check THIS out: In one day, Grayson piles up another 40 (Total = 50) co-sponsors for Medicare buy-in

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

would you kindly come over to the threat in Late Breaking News and recommend that thread?

:bounce:

We at DU can help get more support for this very good, very practical bill that could be the best
thing to happen to our country since medicare was first implemented for seniors.

Please come to this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4303265&mesg_id=4303265

and recommend it y'all, hear?

:hi:

[sandnsea]

1. How are people going to pay for this? n/t

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

2. the same way they pay for it now

When elderly can't afford medicare they can get medicaid.
It is paid the same way as now except more people can participate.

The infrastructure is already there.

My mother paid $100 a month for Medicare B, Medicare A was free to her.
Some people pay more some pay less it depends on their income.

A is for hospitalization, B is for doctors visits etc.

[sandnsea]

6. Grayson's bill is based on cost

There's no taxpayer contribution to the premium.

[msongs]

3. we can quit wasting half a trillion on bombs etc every year for a start nt

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

4. Allan Grayson was talking about how 1 out of 10 soldiers get head injuries in Iraq/Afghanistan

so each time Obama sends troops there, he is dooming 1 out of 10 to dramatic injury
for no reason.

[sandnsea]

7. It's not written in this bill n/t

[Son Of Wendigo]

5. People Who Choose Medicare Will Pay Premiums...

...but they should be considerably less than what private insurance charges.

The original news story on this had a link to Rep Grayson's amendment, which explained how rates would be set. Basically there would be six groups, referred to in the amendment as "cohorts, determined by age (birth through 18, 19 through 25, 26 through 35, 36 through 45, 46 through 55, 56 through 64, and 65 and older.}

The monthly actuarial rate would be computed and applied based upon costs incurred for people within each age cohort and the number of people in each cohort who elect this insurance. Now the rate for 65 and above is used for all Medicare beneficiaries. The Secretary of DHHS will determine these rates.

Medicare's cost to administer is about 2%. The big insurance companies are mostly in the 20% range, and are aiming higher. Not paying all that overhead would save vast amounts of money.

In 2010 the Part A Premium is $461.00 per month, although it is free for retired and disabled beneficiaries who paid medicare taxes while they were working. The Part B Premium $96.40 per month. (Remember, these are the actuarial amounts for age 65 and up. Younger people may have lower amounts, because on average, they're healthier.) Compare this to what the big insurance companies charge - quite often near or over $1000.00 per month, with huge increases coming along for many states. Here in California Anthem Blue Shield intends to increase its rates 39% in May. The health care bill that is in congress now does provide for subsidies for those people who cannot afford to pay for health insurance. I am sure that this would apply to Medicare For All.

By the way, Grayson's amendment is revenue neutral. It does not add to the budget deficit.

[sandnsea]

8. And how will a couple with children

pay these premiums?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

9. maybe we could do it like the 30 other developed nations

Australia and New Zealand have had medicare for all for decades.

We seem like idiots to them.

[sandnsea]

10. But that isn't what this bill does

It let's people buy in at cost, and when you start adding up family members, it's not going to be cheap.

[Son Of Wendigo]

11. But It Will Be Cheaper Than Private Insurance n/t

[sandnsea]

12. Private insurance will have subsidies

This bill is useless without a premium assistance plan.