So Obama's deficit commission now wants to eliminate Medicare.

[Elwood P Dowd]

What is next?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40244470

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's deficit commission on Wednesday debated a dramatic plan to gradually turn Medicare from a system in which the government pays most beneficiaries' medical bills into a program in which seniors would purchase health insurance with government-issued vouchers.

Current Medicare beneficiaries wouldn't be affected, nor would future enrollees age 55 or over.

The plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Democratic economist Alice Rivlin of the panel would seem to face steep odds with most other panel Democrats.

Ryan came under assault by Democrats and President Obama during this year's campaign over a similar plan, which would gradually turn the traditional "fee for service" Medicare program into a less generous voucher system that would lose purchasing power as time goes on.

That would mean seniors would have to pay higher premiums or receive less extensive health coverage.

<snip>

[leftstreet]

1. Strange to think we were recently debating a public option

How quickly things change

K&R

[AlabamaLibrul]

10. We were debating a public option? I mean, *we* were, but the politicians were? n/t

[leftstreet]

14. "The bill I sign must include a Public Option"

Yep. I think a politician said that


:-(

[mmonk]

12. Exactly. False hope.

[Slit Skirt]

13. is there a reason we have a deficit committee

where 14 out of the 18 are conservatives that represent big corporations?

[704wipes]

2. So the deficit commission enters 'death panel' territory

Pete Peterson is a more evil fuck than Dick Cheney, 10 times over.

[UTUSN]

3. So have they reported?!1 or is it preliminary n/t

[dflprincess]

4. Another transfer of government money into the pockets of the insurance companies

Money that we paid in specifically to make sure we would have healthcare in our old age.

[glitch]

34. And a complete abandonment of the governments ability to negotiate prices.

More gouging ahead.

[QC]

5. I feel so hopeful! n/t

[RKP5637]

6. This countries main problem are people. People are in

the way in this country. Just think of all of the profits if they got rid of people except themselves.

They are certifiable screwballs. They want no common good in this country.

[madrchsod]

7. did the president think this would not blow up in his face?

his name is all over this shit and he`s given the right wing enough talking points to get him unelected in 2012.

who ever advised him that this way a winning idea...oh wait,that guy is in chicago trying to con people to believe he actually lived there for the last year...

[RKP5637]

8. I really hope he loses his run for mayor in Chicago. n/t

[mzmolly]

24. The op title is misleading. It might be correct to say "Paul Ryan wants to eliminate medicare."

Read the entire article for more info.

[bluestate10]

9. Can't you see?

The Commission is not Obama's commission. The Commission is republican's Waterloo. Obama will not have to write and approve the legislation that will be required to enact the recommendations. Time to play clever defense. Gather facts that show the changes that democrats want will or have saved money, leave it to republicans to propose and get approved cuts in federal spending on programs like SS and Medicare. Or, have republicans be forced to raise taxes and/or deductibles if they do not have the guts to cut. The millions of 65+ that voted republican during the midterms will be having unpleasant dreams soon. I seem hard hearted, but I say good for the oldsters that see their votes come back to haunt them.

[NeoConsSuck]

15. Who appointed the commission members?

[Bluenorthwest]

17. Appointments were made by the WH, and by leadership of

each Party in both houses of the Congress.

[jtown1123]

28. But, Obama did appoint Simpson and Bowles.

Simpson is the nut who said Social Security is a giant milk cow with 310,000,000 tits. Also, Bowles is on the board of Morgan Stanley so we know where his loyalties are. Why would Obama appoint those two as co-chairs??!! It's very frustrating indeed.

[Kablooie]

11. I think I'll just have to give up and accept that there are nothing but Republicans in the US govt.

It seems that everyone is falling over themselves to allow Republicans to grab everything that we have and give it to the rich elite.

There is no one, including Obama, who seems to be doing anything to counter this.

[CTyankee]

27. I am seriously considering telling my grandchildren, male and female alike,

to go live in another country with great public services for a while in the hopes of marrying a citizen and hopefully being able to become citizens themselves eventually...I have known some Americans who did just that...they were doing postgrad work abroad and found spouses who were natives.

[Kablooie]

35. I'm married to a Japanese, but unfortunately she became an American citizen.

[CTyankee]

41. A few years back I wouldn't have said it. That was then. This is now.

I see our social safety net, inadequate as it was, further torn apart and I'm truly scared for my granchildren going forward...

[pa28]

16. Or you could rebuild the foundation with a Medicare for all public option.

Unfortunately profits are stake and instead of seeing the healthcare cost bubble as a problem they see it as 19% of GDP and therefore untouchable. Health care rationing is a death sentence for Medicare that will eventually lead to total privatization and nobody knows it better than Rivlin and Ryan.

The very serious people strike again.

[slipslidingaway]

18. CBO - Preliminary Analysis of Rivlin-Ryan Health Care Proposal

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/119xx/doc11966/11-17-Rivlin-Ryan_Preliminary_Analysis.pdf

"Congressman Ryan and his staff recently provided specifications for a proposal that would
substantially change federal payments under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Although an
extensive analysis of that proposal is not feasible in the time available, CBO has conducted a
preliminary analysis of its major provisions—the results of which are summarized here.

Key Features of the Proposal
MEDICARE

People who turn 65 in 2021 or later years would not enroll in the current Medicare program
but instead would receive a voucher with which to purchase private health insurance..."

[trackfan]

19. I vomit this out. n/t

[TheKentuckian]

20. Here come the real shots. As I've always said, the long knives are for Medicare

The Wealthcare and Profit Protection Act picture ought to be coming into focus a little clearer right about now.

[slipslidingaway]

21. Bingo! n/t

[slipslidingaway]

22. kick nt

[mzmolly]

23. Not really. READ THE ARTICLE PEOPLE....

"The plan by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Democratic economist Alice Rivlin of the panel would seem to face steep odds with most other panel Democrats."

...

"Democrats say the approach indiscriminately slashes Medicare."

[Bluebear]

36. The fact it is even debated by the Obama commission is disgraceful.

[mzmolly]

37. We should highlight the "values" of the republic party whenever possible.

I can think of few better ways to do that.

[county worker]

25. Why do we need to add a middleman?

Right now, Medicare money goes to the hospital for part A and either the the patient or doctor for part B.

Vouchers would only insert insurance companies with their rules and denials of coverage in between the government and the provider. Also the insurance companies are for profit and has high administration costs so the money does not go as much to coverage as Medicare now does.

This idea makes no logical sense.

The only reason for this is that it fits the right wing idea of no government and more money for corporations. That is just the opposite that we stand for.

[lovuian]

26. No Medicare No Social Security No VA benefits No Medicaid

No Unemployment benefits


but give all tax money
for the Banks Corporations and MILITARY

that is our tax money well spent

oh forget about Education its toast

[Individualist]

29. DLC/NDC/neocons' wet dream is becoming reality.

[ChiciB1]

30. Well, I Guess Grayson Was Correct... I Think I'm Going To DIE QUICKLY! n/t

[a kennedy]

31. I just can't stand it.....

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. It should be the streets,

[TwilightGardener]

33. I think this bird will fly about as well as privatizing SS.

[somone]

38. Executive Summary: If you're not rich, then go die in the gutter

just like in India or wherever

[earth mom]

39. Not surprised. Disgusted and angry, but not surprised.

:grr:

[Radical Activist]

40. Next will be misleading post headlines.