Posted on 07/09/2013 11:15:43 AM PDT by Bob Ireland
For some years I have listened to Rush Limbaugh, and heard him picture Medicare recipients as some sort of ungrateful leaches sucking off of the public dole. He characterizes them as resisting having to pay a dime for their medical coverage.
Being a fan of Rush, I have tolerated this misguidance on his part and sent him e-mails [I am 24-7 member] trying to save him from being caught in a 'lie'. He has never responded to these e-mails - for whatever reason.
Then yesterday - Monday - he mentioned a story about the Congress considering a bill to make Medicare recipients pay 'a few pennies' for their medical coverage - and the bill going down to defeat. I simply cannot remain silent in the face of this total fabrication.
I have been on Medicare for 15 years. My Medicare Part B presently costs me a little pocket change short of $100 a month - a little less that $1,200 a year. That money is deducted out of my Social Security check before I ever receive it. That benefit offers to pay 80% of my allowable medical bills, and I am responsible for the other 20%.
In my case - since I look at government programs with a jaundiced eye - I have signed my Medicare obligations over to a private HMO [called an Advantage Plan]. However, Obama's health care plan has drained the Medicare treasury by hundreds of billions of dollars; therefore the future of the program is in question. In some states I understand the Advantage Plans have already been canceled. Many doctors and hospitals are trying to figure how to get free of Medicare since the Medicare payments are either delayed, diminished or missing altogether. I still cannot be sure my HMO will be part of Medicare next year.
BUT, back to the main theme of this article: How many FReepers pay $1,200 a year for their medical insurance? Probably some do; likely most do not. I am not complaining about paying for my health care - I voluntarily and happily pay the premium.
Furthermore, if it becomes a matter of saving the dollar from total collapse I would accept the cancellation of Medicare altogether. Just stop charging me $100 a month and send the program into the Bermuda Triangle. I have led a fruitful life. HOWEVER, under Obama's healthcare program, that cannot happen. My Medicare could be cancelled and I could be set with the old Indian squaw by the side of the road to waste away - but I would still have to pay my health care premium in order to provide health care for younger folk.
Would someone who can get through to Rush Limbaugh get these points across to him - if he is really interested - so that people can understand the truth about Medicare - not a bunch of myths and misrepresentations.
Quit him years ago over his bombastic ignorance about farming.
Since I’m retired military my “free” healthcare for life is going to cost me $1,200 - as it stands right now - when they kick me off TriCare into TriCare for Life (medicaid) at 62.
When that happens I’m on the hook for part B also.
You need to listen a little closer. I’ve listened to him for 21 years and I haven’t heard that at all.
I’m mad as hurl and I am NOT going to take it anymore! :-)
Don’t take Rush personally. He bashes baby boomers too (even though he is one) because he thinks we’re all leftist loon ex-hippies.
Thank you for that wonderfully pithy remark; I foresee a great future for you.
“My Medicare could be cancelled and I could be set with the old Indian squaw by the side of the road to waste away - but I would still have to pay my health care premium in order to provide health care for younger folk.”
So you’re complaining about money that younger folks are paying off their payroll goes to your medical care and not direct to your pocket?
Cry me a river.
Exempt us from Social Security. I pay way more a month just for the sake of working and paying for your benefits.
Same thing as everyone else...nuttin, that's what.
Enjoy your medicare, until the whole mess collapses into the basement.
I am not taking any of this personally... Rush is not going to change anything in my life. I am trying to save him from being called a liar or a buffoon!
If boomers were as conservative as their parents, Obama never would have been elected.
Your ignorance is indescribable.
Medicaid is different and is healthcare welfare. Some deserve assistance; many don't and those many consider it a free ride like welfare.
Also, the fact that Medicaid was and is mismanaged. Mismanaged means not accounting for inflation (a dollar 50 years ago is not the same dollar as today), increased medical costs (not accounting for inflation), fewer people paying into the fund (fewer workers, more retirees), politicians stealing from the fund, fraud, we are living longer which means that we will require more $ than we put into the fund.
All of the above will result in the fund running short sometime in the future.
I have never heard Rush say what you claim about Medicare. I’ve been listening since college and been a 24/7 subscriber since it became available.
Alright, so you pay $1,200 a year for a health care program that would cost you probably 5 to 10 times as much if it were not subsidized by the government. You are still getting a boatload of free money from the government. Cry me a river.
Yeah... that might hep... that might hep.
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