An earlier study shows that health care costs will continue to increase. A more recent study demonstrates that increasing health care costs are a concern for affluent/wealthy Americans. In the latter, it is stated that the concern is the greatest for those between ages 45-64. Specifically, 43% fear that their assests will decrease to pay for the increasing health care costs that may be necessary.
In addition, 42% feel the possible insolvency of Medicare D(isaster) to threaten their assets. Approximately 50% in the previously mentioned age group perceive its collapse as a threat to their assets. In addition, over 50% believe their families won’t benenfit from Medicare D(isaster)/the Medicare program as a whole.
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A poll by AP-Ipsos (in January) demonstrated that 66% of senior citizens surveyed and 66% who have signed up are confused by the the intricacies of Medicare D(isaster).
Ruth Dike originally found the enrollment process for Medicare D(isaster) to be “horrendous”, as did many of her friends. She is quoted as saying that,
None of them could do it themselves.”
She further elaborated she received some assistance from a local senior citizens center.
Other senior citizens feel that Medicare D(isaster) “is a godsend”, despite all of the difficulties that others have had with it, as written here, here and here, to name a few. They are definitely in the minority.
It is also interesting to note that the “success stories” re: Medicare D(isaster) that the republicans repeatedly speak of are being spread, in part, by the the Medicare RX Education Network, which is chaired by former LA Senator John Breaux.
Coincidentally, Breaux is quoted as saying
“Seniors who have enrolled are finding the benefit worth the time and effort it takes to check out the plans and sign up.”
Breaux also ignores people with disabilities, others who are low-income who were auto-enrolled in plans that don’t cover all of their rx’s, and those are uninsured.
Robert M. Hayes, president of the Medicare Rights Center, does not.
16 million Americans with Medicare–men and women age 65 and older and people with severe, long-term disabilities–still have no drug coverage. Just 7 million Americans who were uninsured before the drug program was launched are newly insured. Six million of the poorest and frailest Americans who lost Medicaid coverage on January 1 now have inferior, less-reliable drug coverage. And the anger and dissatisfaction of people who are enrolled in drug plans increases each day as they discover how inadequate and unreliable the benefit is.
Coverage gaps, excessive out-of-pocket costs and routine denials of coverage for needed drugs are commonplace. Even enrollment in a private drug plan frequently leaves older Americans going without the medicines they need.
In this springtime of national discontent, the nation’s prescription drug program resembles the rebuilding of New Orleans and the war in Iraq. They each serve as a human tragedy, an administrative fiasco and a predictable consequence of politicians willing to squander the national treasury so long as it goes into the pockets of their mercenary supporters.
Had the drug benefit been administered directly by Medicare, doctors, rather than profiteering insurers, would decide what drugs are needed, and Medicare would use its substantial purchasing power to bring U.S. drug prices in line with the rest of the world. (Americans, on average, pay double the price of other developed countries for the same medicine.)
Instead, this country has Medicare D(isaster), which is making the rx and the insurance companies richer, more corporate welfare so companies will keep retiree coverage in place. Also, the PR machine is at full speed, ignoring those who are hurt by this progam, and negating the need for an overhaul.
Meanwhile, Michael Leavitt, who was “unaware” of the problems with Medicare D(isaster), is now running around the country to sign people up for Medicare D(isaster) policies. But be warned: Michael Leavitt assisted his parents in choosing a Medicare D(isaster) plan that put their own retiree health insurance coverage in doubt.
And this is the height of irony: Levitt’s father made a fortune in the insurance business!!!
