Strong Opposition to Medicare Changes

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I am not sure why some people believe that Medicare is FREE to all recipients. It is NOT! Most people pay for the Medicare and unless they are using an advantage plan they also must purchase a supplemental insurance as well. That is if they don't want to be bankrupted by an illness. My husband I both worked for over 45 yrs each, paid into SS and do pay for Medicare. It is NOT free to many people and that is the right thing. We have never personally asked for nor received something for nothing.

Lance W Whippet of OK 11:03PM May 20, 2011

Medicare should have a requirement similar to Social security requiring several years of employment with deductions for medicare and the payout of medicare should be commensurate to the premiums paid in. Example: 35 years premium deductions for full medicare. work experience of say 10 years. 10 yrs divided by 35 equals 28.5%. Therefore to obtain full medicare, the recipient would be required to buy into the plan with a monthly premium (deducted from his social security check) the balance of 71.5% . In this way full cost would be covered and fair to those who have paid their dues.

Willis Genoa of TX 10:57PM April 25, 2011

You would think this was a Trick Question… with all the ‘supposed problems’ Medicare has, & knowing we’re supposed to pay into it all our lives to be able to receive it after age 65… why would our Government allow NON-U.S. Citizens to be able to receive Medicare? From what I've read, all a Non-Citizen has to do is apply for Citizenship & live here for 5 consecutive yrs to be able to draw off the system for the rest of their lives… This Makes NO Sense to me, when the Government is always barking about the problems in the system & wanting to cut our benefits back. Here’s something they can cut back – Stop allowing Non-U.S. Citizens access this program… and for that matter Social Security too!
Can I get Medicare if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Section I.b. Medicare Eligibility
Question 6 of 6 (use "Last" or "Next" buttons to see more)
Last Update: December 20, 2010
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If you are not a U.S. citizen you might be able to get Medicare. It depends on the circumstances.
• You will qualify for Medicare even if you are not a US citizen if you qualify to receive or receive Social Security, Railroad retirement or disability benefits. In this case, you will qualify for Part A without needing to pay a premium. You will need to pay a premium for Part B.
• If you do not qualify for Social Security, railroad retirement benefits or disability benefits, you can qualify to buy Part A (and Part B) if you are a current US resident and either
o A US citizen o
o A permanent US resident having lived in the US for 5 continuous years before you apply for Medicare

K.R. of OH 6:15PM April 22, 2011