How the Health Care Bill Impacts Retirees

Reader Comments
Back to article

I just don't understand it: social security, medicare, disability, pensions, 401k savings, life insurance, health insurance, VA benefits, unemployment checks, long term care insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, insurance to protect insurance. Why do we need any of this? Why not let everyone fend for himself/herself? Hey! If you don't got the brains you don't got the gains! Along with a free ride at others' expense. If I make it, I keep it! Why should I pay for others to enjoy life as I do? That's what I say. Too bad if you don't "fit" into the "normal" range of people. Bottom Line: Get a JOB then your life is taken care of for you. (And you get to go to heaven, if you repent for your sins, God will forgive you) If you can't work, tough luck.
P.S. I have a part time job selling bridges. Please call, sale ends today!

Keevion of AZ 4:09AM April 07, 2010

Under the Democrats new creative accounting methods for Medicare we can cut hundreds of billions from any government program make it last longer and provide more benefits. Why didn't we think of this before?
Not only that we can start another program with the savings! And with the excellent financial record of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Post Office as examples I mean what could go wrong?

George of IL 10:32PM April 06, 2010

Barry,
The only way to make improvements is to repeal and start from scratch!

Don of WI 9:53PM April 06, 2010

what about the people who only get $550.00 a month social security
will they still have to pay for medicare out of their social security
that dos'nt leave much to live on does it

randall of OR 7:05PM April 06, 2010

I worked with Medicare for over 16 years before retiring.
Before Medicare beneficiaries even consider omitting Part B because of the monthly premium, please be aware that should you ever require inpatient surgery, Medicare Part A will cover a large part of your inpatient hospital bill, but will not pay your surgeon one cent! Without Medicare Part B, just that one surgeon's fee could cost you $50,000.00 to $200,000.00. Read your "Medicare and You" manual. It is important to understand exactly what Medicare Part B will pay for you.
Incidentally, I was denied medical insurance coverage by Blue Cross and other insurance companies at the age of 36 because of my medical history. It was very scary. I am thankful that no other person will ever be placed in that position again after President Obama's plan is fully implemented.

May of AR 6:40PM April 06, 2010

I HAVE QUESTIONS. NEED THE HELP OF SMART FOLKS OUT THERE. PLEASE HELP ME.
DOES THE HEALTHCARE BILL..EXTEND THE AVAILABILY OF COBRA FOR EARLY RETIREES (OVER 55) THAT PAY THEIR OWN COBRA COSTS THROUGH A TPA? THERE WAS TALK OF EXTENDING AVAILABILITY OF COBRA TILL AGE 65 (MEDICARE) IF I PAY THE COBRA COSTS (+2%). IS IT IN THE BILL OR CAN IT BE WRITTEN IN TO THE ADOPTION RULES. UNTIL THE EXCHANGES ARE SETUP WE ARE STILL AT THE MERCY OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY INDIVIDUAL PLANS.
IS THERE A 80/20% MATCH FOR THOSE CURRENLY ON THE TRADE ADJUSTMENT ACT FOR THOSE WITH PRE-EXSISTING CONDITIONS AND DEPENDENTS WHOM ARE NOT DESTITUDE ENOUGH FOR MEDICAID. IF COMPANIES CAN GET THE HELP WHY CAN INDIVIDUALS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP
LAR IN OHIO

LAR KUBINK of OH 3:40PM April 06, 2010

can' afford it says "I note that the article above makes no mention of CER: Comparative Effective Research, which is also an important part of Obamacare. Among other things, it will eventually deny seniors expensive but effective life extending medical care because it is not in some bureaucrat's judgment cost/effective." He is thinking of cost benefit analysis not CER.
Comparative effectiveness research is used to find out whether the $65,000 spinal surgery option results in less back pain and more range of motion than the $1,000 chiropractic treatment. It is great tool for eliminating waste in health care spending. Specialist surgeons and medical equipment manufacturers hate it because it threatens their profit margins.

meltee of MD 2:16PM April 06, 2010

I am baffled by the comments of Don of TX. So every dollar the feds spend on medicare coverage for seniors is a dollar not available to those seniors?? It sounds like he is repeating a line he heard someplace without really thinking about what it means. Which seems to be nothing sensible.

meltee of MD 1:56PM April 06, 2010