Thanks for posting this thread, Reaganesque. I posted the following link on Facebook, and encourage all of you to post this link to the social networking site you may have access to.
Timeline of Major Provisions in the Democrats’ Health Care Package
This is just a SAMPLE of what is coming down the pike for seniors.
The 500-billion dollar cut to Medicare is just the beginning, and remember folks, everyone will end up on Medicare eventually!
For the seniors who voted democrat in 2008, here's the payoff: (Very few FReepers, I hope.)
In 2011
•No longer allowed to use FSA, HSA, HRA, Archer MSA distributions for over‐the-counter medicines
•Medicare cuts to home health begin
•Medicare reimbursement cuts when seniors use diagnostic imaging like MRIs, CT scans, etc....
•Medicare cuts begin to ambulance services, ASCs, diagnostic labs, and durablemedical equipment
•Seniors prohibited from purchasing power wheelchairs unless they first rent for 13 months.
The really magnanimous part..."Seniors who hit Part D “donut hole "in 2010 receive $250 check (3/15/11)" WOW! A whole $250!
And for those of you with aging parents...also in 2011,
•New Medicare cuts to long‐term care hospitals begin (7/1/11)
•Additional Medicare cuts to hospitals and cuts to nursing homes and inpatient rehab facilities begin (FY12)
I'm wondering if seniors are prohibited from purchasing a power wheelchair even if they pay ALL the cost? Note: I was forced into Medicare by my insurance company when I hit 65.