In the next five years, approximately 18 million people will move from the "market" to Medicare

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm defining the "market" as what people have to endure prior to being covered by medicare. For some, it is being uninsured. For others it is some degree of insurance coverage. For almost all, it is a heavy burden. And for the insurance companies, it is profit.

This chart shows annual births.



Eighteen million is a shitload of sick, old people. I am soon to be one of them. And that's just the beginning. This is a major socioeconomic shift. As the boomers caused issues for the nation in their prime years, so will they be a source of concern for the rest of the country in their twilight years.

Will Medicare keep up with them?

Will the younger generations be able to shoulder the burden?

And what of the second bubble that will start 15 years or so after the last of the boomers retire?

There really is only one answer.

The government needs to get involved now. Not private, for profit businesses who have as their prime fiduciary responsibility a return of profit to their shareholders; to do anything else is a prosecutable crime.

Only We The People can be trusted to care for We The People.

[jtrockville]

1. "Market"? I call it a RACKET.

I'd hoped the government would have gotten involved now. The sooner the better.

[CountAllVotes]

2. worry not

seems to me that many people my age are dying right now or very sick already.

They aren't on Medicare. My younger brother has already died - was only in his early 40s. My boomer cousin died: 53 years of age.

[sandnsea]

3. Welcome to the health care debate

That's a big chunk of what this is about. Cutting about 15% overpayment to Medicare Advantage for instance. Reducing readmissions. Coordinating care. Adding a long term care option. Getting a handle on insurance so that they have to put their money into coverage instead of profits.

It's a wonderful fantasy to think you can just wave a magic wand and the entire country will rally for single payer.

Governance requires dealing with reality when that doesn't happen.

[jaysunb]

4. I'm heading there this month.

And not a moment too soon...800.00 for the Cobra has eaten me alive for the past 20 months. :evilfrown:

[applegrove]

5. The job market will improve for those of us who are behind that big group

of baby boomers.

[slipslidingaway]

6. knr nt