MOAA says “Medicare/TRICARE Threat Is Back”

[jody]

Medicare/TRICARE Threat Is Back

Once again, we face an imminent threat of a 21% cut in Medicare and TRICARE payments to doctors – this time as of June 1 – that would cause large numbers of doctors to stop seeing seniors and military beneficiaries.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

This is serious stuff, and the ever-shortening threat cycle leaves beneficiaries understandably afraid that their access to health care will be disrupted. And that’s not an idle worry, as doctors are getting more and more upset as well. When Congress delays action and Medicare delays payments, it’s the doctors who effectively have to float the government a loan in the interim.

On May 26, MOAA Deputy Government Relations Director CAPT Kathy Beasley (USN-Ret) joined representatives of AARP and several medical associations at a Capitol Hill press conference urging prompt action for a longer-term fix. “When our troops are deployed in harm’s way,” said Beasley, “the last thing they should have to worry about is whether a sick spouse or child will be able to find a doctor to treat them.”

As this report is being prepared, House leaders are hoping to get a vote, perhaps as soon as today (May 28) on a fix that would put off any payment cut until January 1, 2012. But even if that happens, the Senate is unlikely to take it up until after the recess, with only a few days’ latitude left.

[Captain Hilts]

1. These are not "rights."

Your attempt to equate this with firearms is lame.

[jody]

2. What's your problem? I quoted MOAA and that's all. You should read more carefully before you ramble

off subject with lame, unsupported assertions.

On the other hand you might have misunderstood my "signature" statement but no one who has been a DU participant since 2005 with over 44662 posts would make such a naive error.

[Captain Hilts]

3. I generally ignore poster's names in order to respond to posts on face value.

Medicaid, etc. are not 'rights'.

That said, I hope that Congress's access to healthcare is suspended until this is secured.

The language in your signature is that used by anti-gun control advocates.

[jody]

6. Interesting "Medicaid, etc. are not 'rights'" so HCR is a charade about a non-right. n/t

[dgibby]

4. So you're saying that TriCare isn't a right for those of us who earned it? n/t

[dgibby]

5. This is what the Dr. I saw this week said when he saw I had TRICARE.

He said if this goes through, lots of Drs will limit/drop TRICARE pts.

On the other hand, military and vets were assured that TRICARE wasn't going to be affected by HCR.

I don't know who to believe anymore, but MOAA has a long history of being on top of anything affecting it's members. Time to renew my membership. Also time to visit some other Vets websites, I guess.