House GOP Considers Privatizing Medicare

Associated Press ^ | January 27, 2011 | AP

[Walts Ice Pick]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Months after they hammered Democrats for cutting Medicare, House Republicans are debating whether to relaunch their quest to privatize the health program for seniors.

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., is testing support for his idea to replace Medicare with a fixed payment to buy a private medical plan from a menu of coverage options.

[Walts Ice Pick]

This would be a good first step, but the goal must be to end this and all federal welfare programs. The federal government should get out of health care, period.

[nascarnation]

Interesting.

Of course Medicare’s funding shortfall makes Social Security look rock solid.

[goldstategop]

With entitlements growing unsustainable, Medicare is in need of an overhaul.

And repeal Obamacare while they’re at it!

[Scanian]

This will be demagogued to death by the ‘Rats before there is ever a hearing.

Why let them say the GOP is going to “starve Grandma?” Why not say, “Your debt commission said changes have to be made” and make it clear to the public that Bowles and Simpson decided that at Obama’s behest.

[TomGuy]

to replace Medicare with a fixed payment to buy a private medical plan from a menu of coverage options.

How is that any different than the current Medicare Advantage selection?

[GeronL]

How do you privatize an entitlement program?

Where would it get its revenue?

Would there be competition?

Would it be like the Post Office where its supported by the taxpayers or like Fannie and Freddie where the Directors can make millions while running it into the ground?

[veracious]

That’s the ticket. The real reason some congressmen voted for OCare was the (rising) cost of Medicaid and such. Others were just bought by influence money or are essentially socialist/communists...

[EGPWS]

Months after they hammered Democrats for cutting Medicare, House Republicans are debating whether to relaunch their quest to privatize the health program for seniors.

Bad move.

We need the rock solid government financial backing to guarantee solvency.

The private sector would just pillage and tear it apart over time.

;~

[oh8eleven]

How do you privatize an entitlement program?
Medicare isn't an "entitlement" and there's no free ride.
You pay for it all the years you work, then you get to pay for it with monthly premiums when you go on it.
Then you also get to pay deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance fees.

[GeronL]

Oh, so it doesn’t cost taxpayers a thing.

I guess people don’t get more from it than they ever paid into it?

[EGPWS]

You pay for it all the years you work, then you get to pay for it with monthly premiums when you go on it. Then you also get to pay deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance fees.

I thought it was free.... /s

[Jacquerie]

Conservative lawmakers are rapidly taking over the terms of the debate. Rats will not be able to get by for long denying there are huge problems with spending, debt and “entitlements” (I despise that word.).

At this moment, Orrin Hatch is discussing a balanced budget amendment proposal w/20% GDP limit with Mark Levin.

This Medicare reform could be as you say, a good first step. It appears that seniors will be able to shop for plans which will introduce competition. Yes, the ultimate goal must be government out of healthcare.

[GeronL]

Oh, so it doesn’t cost taxpayers a thing.

I guess people don’t get more from it than they ever paid into it?

[Walts Ice Pick]

Right now, Medicare is the lynchpin of the federal welfare state. If we can eliminate it or starve it, the other welfare programs will fall as well.

[oh8eleven]

How is that any different than the current Medicare Advantage selection?
Right now, MC Advantage plans probably run from $50 a month to $350.
After the gubmint moves in to 'hep us, there will only be one monthly fee - $1000.
Oh, and your coverage will only be accepted within 2.75 miles of your home ... on alternate Tuesdays.

[EGPWS]

I guess people don’t get more from it than they ever paid into it?

If people get more than what they pay into it, then what is left for the 50-70% that government skims off the top?

The cash flow with this program sure can be confusing.

[oh8eleven]

I guess people don’t get more from it than they ever paid into it?
I'm sure some do - and I'm just as sure some don't.

[WOBBLY BOB]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/10/post_145.asp

As 60 Minutes reported last week, Medicare fraud is rampant and has now replaced the cocaine (ahem) business as the major criminal activity in South Florida. Both 60 Minutes and the Washington Post report that Medicare fraud now costs American taxpayers roughly $60 billion a year. That may sound like a lot of money, but surely it pales next to the extraordinary profits of private insurance companies, right?

Last year, the profits of the ten largest insurance companies in America were just over $8 billion — combined. No single insurance company made even five percent of what Medicare reportedly loses in fraud.

[GeronL]

Other welfare programs (if they exist at all) need to be operated by the states and funded only by state revenue.

[oh8eleven]

Right now, Medicare is the lynchpin of the federal welfare state.
No, that would be Medicaid.