AARP.org
Connect with the AARP Community, it's free. Log In Sign Up

shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

(Category: Health Care)

shaarpwriter | June 13, 2008 | 12:57 PM
shaarpwriter

23 Comments

The following statements from Senators Baucus and Grassley regarding their competing Medicare bills are
unedited and do not reflect AARP's position.

If Congress doesn't act, the physicians who treat Medicare patients will face a 10.6 percent pay cut, effective July 1. Such a dramatic cut would very likely hurt older Americans' access to their doctors. A big number of doctors might stop dealing with Medicare altogether.

The Republican bill prevents the cut and gives a small payment increase to keep doctors serving Medicare patients. The physician payments are the same as in the Democratic leaders' bill. Neither bill is more generous than the other to doctors.

The Republican bill has several other Medicare improvements. It increases payments to doctors who report quality data to the government to help link payments with quality. It promotes value-based purchasing, e-prescribing to reduce medication errors, and electronic health records. It includes responsible proposals to preserve Medicare access in rural areas, including much-needed payment improvements for rural hospitals and home health care. It returns the ownership of oxygen equipment to the supplier, not the beneficiary, so the beneficiary doesn't have to get the equipment serviced. It cracks down on abusive sales tactics by Medicare Advantage plans and makes plan quality information available to beneficiaries for comparison shopping. It improves cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, renal care, diabetes prevention, and outpatient therapy. It extends programs to help low-income seniors and families.

Unlike the Democratic leaders' bill, the Republican bill does not:
* cut payments for power wheelchairs;
* reduce payments for oxygen;
* make large, unwarranted cuts to Medicare Advantage, altering policy decisions designed to maximize patient choice;
* eliminate the fund that Congress specifically created to help avert future physician cuts; or
* expand eligibility for low-income Medicare programs, which although well-intentioned, would increase long-term entitlement spending and expand coverage under an already fiscally challenged program.

Maybe most important, the President will sign the Republican bill. The President would veto the Democratic leaders' bill. Meanwhile, the Democratic leaders walked away from bipartisan negotiations and put a timely outcome of this effort in jeopardy. The Republican bill does everything Medicare beneficiaries need to protect their access to
doctors and prevent a physician revolt. There's nothing in it that Democratic leaders would find objectionable if they put aside their political lens and looked at it as Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers.

Comments

Rick Schweiger says:

Clearly not an objective perspective, but thanks for opining on the current state of politics.

06/13/08 2:10 PM

Ann Marie says:

From a disabled taxpayer:
If the Republicans and the Bush administration were so concerned about Medicare they would not have created the Advantage program that gives the insurance industry a great ADVANTAGE over the traditional Medicare, by paying the Medicare Advantage insurance companies upto 18% more! Who are you kidding? Do they think we are that dumb we do not know the truth? As it is, seniors, the disabled, the elderly cannot find clinics or doctors who will take Medicare and that is how the Bush administration planned it..to completely destroy a working, viable program so they can put the greedy insurance companies, who charge us through the nose, in charge. But, your time will come. When taxpayers find they have to support their elderly parents and they have to pay, through the nose, for their care. Then we will all see how truly beneficent you ARE NOT. What goes round will come round.

06/16/08 2:26 PM

Pamela Taylor says:

As a 61 year old single woman, I consider this bill to be a test that will help me determine how I will vote in November. I have repeatedly tried to contact my Senators and my congressional representative to let them know how important this kind of issue is to me. The Republican Party continues to contact me to request money, as I have consistently voted Republican my entire life. I haven't give any money to the GOP this year, and I am undetermined as to how I am going to vote this Fall. I am highly disappointed to know the President was going to veto the Democratic version of this legislation, if it had passed, and I am especially disappointed to find that one of Texas' Senators, whose office assured me he stood with AARP on this legislation, when it came down to the roll call, voted "no". Please keep trying to get this kind of legislation passed. Thank you!

06/16/08 2:52 PM

tom mcguire says:

So, AARP is in the Republican's pocket - why print rightwing trash like this when these crooks have shifted wealth to the top 1% of the rich while the middle class disappears and the lower class slides into poverty. You won't be getting my dues again printing this kind of propaganda!

06/16/08 3:01 PM

jewel courville says:

I think that any politian, senator etc. who truly has the elderly and children in mind, has no choice but to support this. We need to take care of our elderly not punish them for growing old, and fill up the politicians pocket books.

06/16/08 3:10 PM

CATHLEEN BATAILLE says:

The bill proposed by the Republicans sounds reasonable until one gets to the "800 lb. gorilla' - refusal to do something about the millions of dollars syphoned from Medicare by the Advantage Plan companies.

06/16/08 3:10 PM

Joel Friedman says:

Once again the minority is blocking the majority. Now with a whole series of Nays and silent filibusters, one after another, it seems clear the Republicans are willfully working to ensure that no helpful legislation gets passed unless they in the minority can blackmail the majority to pass the Republican version. In this crucial election year, the politics are obvious: make sure we can try to portray the Democratic congress as a do-nothing congress by blocking everything we possibly can. Voters, take note and take names.

06/16/08 3:22 PM

janet dahlstrom says:

I have recently been in the Hospital. I live on a low income without any insurance other than medicare. Please allow the doctors and hospitals receive all they are allowed to get. Whenever I go to a hospital or doctor already they will only pay a small charge of the total bill. I am now charged with the rest which I try to pay small payments monthly. Please help us keep all we can and don't lower medicare already gets and please raise the amounts if you can.
Thank-you.

06/16/08 3:59 PM

Health Care Guy says:

The reader, Tom McGuire, obviously didn't see that AARP posted the Democrats view immediately under the GOP. Why would having both schools of thought on one page somehow be counter-productive?

06/16/08 4:34 PM

catherine Duncan says:

I will be following all votes on bills pertaining to medicare or
seniors. It is hard enough to find a general doctor with medicare
as is. This bill needs to be passed. McCain needs to take time
to vote (Y) on this bill.

06/16/08 4:58 PM

David N. Silger says:

Interesting that Mr. Obama did not vote! I thought voting was a important privilage? As a Democrate I am a little more than disapointed.

06/16/08 5:11 PM

bob says:

What is with Obama? A simple yes or no please. Change? votesmart.org Change your vote!

06/17/08 3:53 AM

DT says:

The latest country to initiate universal coverage, Taiwan looked the world over for the best system for medical coverage and in 1995 settled on the best they could find - Medicare. Their model is based on Medicare 1995.

Now it looks as though the best system will become a waste land for the scrape heap if our current president has his way with Congress and Big Insurance.

It is a sad day when many in the senate have a hand out for big insurance instead of a helping hand for older Americans.

06/17/08 4:50 PM

Murr says:

If nothing is done with this bill on Medicare before June 30th. Anyone who is undergoing Physical Therapy will be limited to ancap for the entire year. No exceptions as has been the case.

06/19/08 2:23 PM

Sandra Milton says:

I see both parties are at it again. They do not have a clue about the problems facing Americans, i.e, veterans, the working family, retirees. I am a retiree watching my fixed income dwindle and cost of surviving increase. I would like to know why Congress is not holding the FDA, Insurance Companies, and Drug Companies accountable for their abuses to the American public. I understand what "big business" is about, but at whose cost. I will definitely be watching the voting of my delegates. The "good old boy/you've got to pay your dues" system in Washington DC has got to go. We, the American voters, need to hold our elected officals accountable as well. We need to send a message that they are accountable to us for their well being, not to special interest groups.

06/19/08 5:26 PM

Anonymous says:

http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/hannah-montana-solos-for-clarinet/ > hannah montana solos for clarinet
[URL=http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/hannah-montana-solos-for-clarinet/]hannah montana solos for clarinet[/URL]
http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/jenna-jameson-clips/ > jenna jameson clips
[URL=http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/jenna-jameson-clips/]jenna jameson clips[/URL]
http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/gay-men-69-n-young-twinks/ > gay men 69 n young twinks
[URL=http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/gay-men-69-n-young-twinks/]gay men 69 n young twinks[/URL]
http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/hannah-goslar-at-the-age-of-13/ > hannah goslar at the age of 13
[URL=http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/hannah-goslar-at-the-age-of-13/]hannah goslar at the age of 13[/URL]
http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-friends-in-sycamore-alabama/ > adult friends in sycamore alabama
[URL=http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-friends-in-sycamore-alabama/]adult friends in sycamore alabama[/URL]
http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/adult-circumcision-devices/ > adult circumcision devices
[URL=http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/adult-circumcision-devices/]adult circumcision devices[/URL]
http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-fun-portland-oregon-mercury/ > adult fun portland oregon mercury
[URL=http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-fun-portland-oregon-mercury/]adult fun portland oregon mercury[/URL]
http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-furry-photomanipulation/ > adult furry photomanipulation
[URL=http://nicexojivu4.hothostcity.com/adult-furry-photomanipulation/]adult furry photomanipulation[/URL]
http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/hot-lesbos-69/ > hot lesbos 69
[URL=http://folunogelo1.gigazu.com/hot-lesbos-69/]hot lesbos 69[/URL]
http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/daryl-hannah-playboy/ > daryl hannah playboy
[URL=http://lonafyriny7.977mb.com/daryl-hannah-playboy/]daryl hannah playboy[/URL]

09/30/08 9:40 PM

Anonymous says:

http://moguloq25.00bp.com/pretty-brunette-doll-fucks-doggystyle--facialized/ > pretty brunette doll fucks doggystyle facialized
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/russian-mistress-anal-fisting-bend-over-boy-femdom/ > russian mistress anal fisting bend over boy femdom
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/dirty-cheerleaders-spanking--paddling-femdom/ > dirty cheerleaders spanking paddling femdom
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/m-slave-gets-floggered--strapon-fuck-by-dominas/ > m slave gets floggered strapon fuck by dominas
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/shemale-with-big-boobs-gets-assfucked-doggystyle/ > shemale with big boobs gets assfucked doggystyle
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/dominant-mature-babe-in-latex-fingering/ > dominant mature babe in latex fingering
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/masked-slave-in-nylon-tortured-by-mistress-femdom/ > masked slave in nylon tortured by mistress femdom
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/big-titted-mom-get-doggystyle-fucked-in-kicthen/ > big titted mom get doggystyle fucked in kicthen
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/gay-sucks--gets-assfucked-doggystyle-comic/ > gay sucks gets assfucked doggystyle comic
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/busty-pale-blond-milf-fucked-doggystyle-in-bedroom/ > busty pale blond milf fucked doggystyle in bedroom
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/busty-tanned-babe-fucked-doggystyle-on-sofa/ > busty tanned babe fucked doggystyle on sofa
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/blonde-in-miniskirt-blowjob--fucking-doggystyle/ > blonde in miniskirt blowjob fucking doggystyle
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/dirty-llikes-elctro-toys/ > dirty llikes elctro toys
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/tanned-amateur-coed-fucked-doggystyle-spring-break/ > tanned amateur coed fucked doggystyle spring break
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/adorable-dirty-blonde-in-garterbelts-posing/ > adorable dirty blonde in garterbelts posing
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/tanned-drunk-amateur-babe-gets-doggystyle-pump/ > tanned drunk amateur babe gets doggystyle pump
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/pornstar-addison-rose-sucks--fucked-doggystyle/ > pornstar addison rose sucks fucked doggystyle
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/femdom-mistress--slave-whipped-on-ass-hardcore/ > femdom mistress slave whipped on ass hardcore
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/m-slave-licks-messy-feet-of-dominas-in-kitchen/ > m slave licks messy feet of dominas in kitchen
http://moguloq25.00bp.com/lesbian-messing-their-dirty-feet-with-cherr-movies/ > lesbian messing their dirty feet with cherr movies

10/01/08 10:25 AM

Leave a comment

Disclaimer: By submitting a comment, you acknowledge that it will be publicly available on this blog for others to view. You are fully responsible for the content that you post, and AARP assumes no responsibility for the messages or content of others. Comments are to be used for non-commercial purposes only. Please behave respectfully to other members of this blog community. Comments are moderated, and will be deleted if determined to be inflammatory, abusive, off-topic, obscene, sexually explicit, use excessive foul language, or are of a personal nature. Please do not post personal contact information and do not impersonate other members of this blog community. We reserve the right to change these rules at any time.