PJ: For most of us on the outside, the idea of forcing the elderly to buy health insurance under a voucher program instead of the current Medicare system (that resembles the gov. sponsored health care that we enjoy) seems ludicrous. For me, with a mother suffering early signs of dementia, I can't imagine. Of course, in my case, my mother has children to help her...but what if she didn't? What will happen to elderly citizens who don't have someone to help guide them through the insurance decision making process? Will they become victims of charlatans who see them as easy marks for some scheme or other? Will they be able to make the most cost effective choice given their limited income? Will they be covered when the need for medical treatment arises? Will their insurance cover preventative measures that keep their blood pressure in check or detect early signs of cancer that can be successfully treated when many insurance providers in the US no longer cover such things for high risk patients?
The Independent
Republicans suffer Medicare setbacks
Reuters
Republicans have largely stuck with their plan to privatise the US Medicare health programme for the elderly – despite a rebuke in the Democratic-led Senate and a reversal in a New York special election.
Paul Ryan, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives budget committee and chief architect of the plan, said sweeping changes were needed in Medicare to protect it from financial ruin.
"We can no longer let politicians in Washington deny the danger to Medicare – the danger is all too real – and the health of our nation's seniors is far too important," Mr Ryan said.
On Tuesday, the Democrats won a vacant House seat in upstate New York, a traditional Republican stronghold, by turning the special election into a referendum on the plan to privatise Medicare.
The Republican proposal suffered another setback on Wednesday when the Democratic-controlled Senate blocked the measure on a vote of 57-40.
Five Republicans joined the Democrats in opposing it, but other Republicans ratcheted up efforts to build support for the plan, certain to be an issue in next year's congressional and presidential elections.
The proposal would end traditional fee-for-service Medicare and create a voucher-like system for future pensioners to buy medical cover from private insurers.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/republicans-suffer-medicare-setbacks-2289610.html
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