GOP Message Fail on Medicare Buy In Proposal

AP: Dems agree to drop gov't-run insurance option (0.00 / 0)

WASHINGTON - Democratic senators say they have a tentative deal to drop a government-run insurance option from health care legislation. No further details were immediately available.

But liberals and moderates have been discussing an alternative, including a private insurance arrangement to be supervised by the federal agency that oversees the system through which lawmakers purchase coverage. Additionally, talks centered on opening up Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, a significant expansion of the large government health care program that currently serves the over-65 population.

Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa told reporters he didn't like the agreement but would support it to the hilt in an attempt to pass health care legislation.

Question: If Medicare covers folks starting at 55, instead of 65, will it adjust the risk to private insurers enough to pass saving on to us?

Y'know, theoretically?

Whack-a-mole, anyone?

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 19:29:30 PM CST

The operative phrase (0.00 / 0)

in the quote is "tentative". Also, I don't quite trust the AP, which seems to have a certain editorial slant.

We'll have to wait and see what actually passes.

Judging by their actions in the "marketplace", I would think that the private health insurance companies would not pass the savings to us. They would simply be "satisfied" that the "higher risk" group" is taken on by the government.

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by: Jennifer Daler @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 19:40:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Watch the ping-pong n/t (0.00 / 0)

Whack-a-mole, anyone?

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 19:41:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Protect Medicare at all costs! (4.00 / 1)

and

Don't Let Anyone Else Get Medicare!

What's even funnier about this fail is that the first slogan is the one the GOP is being disingenuous about.

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 19:43:43 PM CST

Medicare For All... (4.00 / 2)

...is what Ted Kennedy talked about during his final five or so years, and his message was powerful.  It doesn't take 2000 pages to write, and people could begin signing up in six months.  Whatever happens to health care this year or next, or on any public option alternative, Medicare For All makes sense and should be what we work toward.  

It is easier to explain and makes much more sense than inventing a program from the start.  The single-payer concept of Medicare For All was endorsed in resolution form by the New Hampshire House last year and this, and most of the Democrats in the House supported it while quite a few Republicans did too.  It could get bi-partisan support.  

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by: Rep. Jim Splaine @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 20:29:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

My KOS sig seems appropriate here. (0.00 / 0)

How do you tell a predator from a protector? The predator will eat you sooner rather than later.

Anyway, let me repeat that the current exclusivity of Medicare puts it in violation of the equal protection clause since age is not a determinative criterion when it comes to securing the person from injury and disease.

Of course, the Congress has a long history of passing un-Constitutional laws.  And the Supreme Court has a long history of being reluctant to address them.

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by: hannah @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 06:34:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

They've been cutting Medicare for decades (0.00 / 0)

The Republicans forget that Medicare benefits have been cut for decades under both Republican and Democratic administrations.

It ain't what it used to be.

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by: Putney Swope @ Tue Dec 08, 2009 at 21:14:44 PM CST

True. There has been an effort to privatize it segmentally. (0.00 / 0)

Some people there are who just love them some stratification.

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by: hannah @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 06:35:54 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Actually, the heritage crowd is more attached to their historical failure (0.00 / 0)

in the Civil War than most anything else.  Shared failure is what unites them; as does obstruction.
Think Progress reports:

New Childish Republican Obstruction Tactic: Refusing To Use Their Assigned Cards In Order To Delay Votes
....

The examples are boundless:

   - In July, Minority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) forced the House clerk to read aloud a 55-page motion to recommitt in order for House Republicans to attend a "2009 Boehner Beach Party" fundraiser.

   - Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) attempted to block the veterans' benefits bill because of unrelated concerns with the Recovery Act.

   - Republicans have "filibustered" committee markups by offering dozens of frivolous amendments.

   - Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) went so far as authoring a memo on various parliamentary maneuvers Senate Republicans can use to delay and kill health reform in the Senate.

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by: hannah @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 06:43:57 AM CST

More on GOP and Medicare (0.00 / 0)

h/t to Mcjoan

Media Matters has a log of Republican votes to cut Medicare since 1991.

An example:

Senate

Senate Republicans Cut $270 Billion From Medicare.  More than 50 Republicans voted in favor of a budget that would cut Medicare by $270 billion. The budget passed.

   * 52 Republican Senators voted in favor.  [H.R. 2491, Vote #584, 11/17/1995]

   * 52 Republican Senators voted in favor.  [H.R. 2491, Vote #556, 10/27/1995]

   * 54 Republican Senators voted in favor. [H.C.R. 67, Vote #296, 6/29/95]

52 Republican Senators Voted Against Reducing Medicare Cuts By $181 Billion In Favor Of Tax Cuts For The Wealthy.  In 1995, 52 Republicans voted against a motion reducing cuts to Medicare by $181 billion by reducing tax cuts for upper income taxpayers. The motion was rejected 46-53. [S. 1357, Vote #499, 10/26/95]

50 Republican Senators Voted Against Increasing Medicare Payments To Hospitals By $14.5 Billion.  50 Senators voted against an amendment restoring $14.5 billion in payments under Medicare to hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of poor patients. The amendment failed 47-52. [S 1357, Vote #524, 10/27/95]

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by: Jennifer Daler @ Wed Dec 09, 2009 at 16:25:37 PM CST