"X ` Man" wrote in message
m...

....David Frum, Republican conservative who thinks his party has gone
too
far to the right:


"You've worked hard all your life. You've paid Medicare taxes for
almost
30 years. But under the Republican plan, Medicare won't be there for
you. Instead of Medicare as it exists now, under the Republican plan
you'll get a voucher that will pay as little as half your Medicare
costs
when you turn 65—and as little as a quarter in your 80s. And all so
that
millionaires and billionaires can have a huge tax cut."

True, too.

--------------------------------------------------

Not exactly. Those are the fighting words by those opposed to
Medicare reform, but don't really tell the whole story. Ryan has
modified his original plan several times in attempts to make it more
palatable to all. Bottom line is that unless modified, Medicare
will become insolvent and there won't be any program for anyone.
Key points to be made:

1. As introduced last year, those who are 55 years of age or older
are grandfathered into the existing program. Nothing changes.

2. If implemented, the government would no longer pay doctors to
treat Medicare beneficiaries. Instead, beneficiaries would buy their
own private insurance plans, and the
government would give people money to pay to buy health plans from an
approved list. Medicare would become the broker and regulator of
approved plans.

3. Ryan has modified his plan to include a "public option" that
allows you to opt out of the new program altogether and have the
government pay for service directly.

4. It's a progressive plan. Democrats should love it. If you’re
poorer or sicker, you get more money from Medicare to cover your
premiums.

There has not been a realistic plan put forward that is any better at
saving Medicare by either party. There's all kinds of drum beating
going on about halving defense spending, etc. to pay for a national
health plan but none that are realistic in terms of happening anytime
soon. So, rather than shoot holes in the barrel without looking
inside, I think some credit should be given to Ryan for putting forth
something that could work and prevent the system from completely
collapsing. Nothing in this world is free, and that includes health
care.

I view Ryan's plan as addressing one of the most costly components of
health care today .... doctors and hospitals that order unnecessary
tests and procedures simply because the government is paying for it.