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EDITOR:
In reading the letter to the editor in the Aug. 15 edition of the Mountain Democrat regarding Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposal, I am not sure if the writer was just quoting the Democrat party talking points or purposely trying to mislead the public. I take this opportunity to correct several points that the writer made.
1. Being 76 years old, the writer and any other person over 55 years old, Medicare will not change under the Ryan proposal.
2. The Obamacare as it is written takes $716 billion out of Medicare to pay for other parts of Obamacare. That in and of itself will reduce the level of care that is available in Medicare for seniors that already depend on it for care.
3. There have never been exclusions from Medicare for pre-existing conditions.
4. The voucher program is optional and will not affect those who do not choose to take part in it.
By taking $716 billion out of Medicare it will force doctors to choose a lower level of service for the elderly. Finally, Medicare as we know it as well as Social Security is not sustainable at their current structure. Some changes have to be made in the funding and definition of benefit in order for there to be a benefit for the younger generation. Nobody’s plan, whether it be Democrat or Republican, is supposed to affect existing SS or Medicare users. I hope to see less half-truth and more facts in these letters in the future.
WILLIAM KAIGHN
El Dorado
The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy
James E.August 15, 2012 - 2:37 pm
Mr. Kaighn, speaking of a half-truth: "President Obama took $716B out of Medicare" -- Most of that $716B was taken from excessive payments (since the 1970s) to Medicare Advantage (Kaiser, et al.), and redirected to other medicare services and prescription benefits for seniors. And, by the way, which health proposal will Mitt run on? His or Ryans? If Mitts, when does he plan to let us know the details? After he's in the White House?
about thatAugust 17, 2012 - 6:31 am
Under Ryan’s plan older Americans who fall under Medicare may also be affected by drastic changes to Medicaid. “Most people have no clue what Medicaid means, especially to seniors,” said John Rother, president of the National Coalition of Health Care. Mr. Kaighn seems to be among them. Currently, Medicaid covers more than 62 million people. Most of Medicaid funding goes to the old and disabled. The program covers more than two-thirds of all nursing-home residents in the U.S., according to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. From Kaiser Foundation: A CBO analysis of the Ryan plan approved by the US House in 2011 found that federal spending for Medicaid would be 35% lower in 2022 and 49% lower in 2030 than currently projected. CBO added that the federal spending reductions called for in budget scenarios that Ryan asked CBO to review meant that "states would need to increase their spending on these programs, make considerable cutbacks in them, or both." States might have to reduce eligibility, cover fewer services, reduce payments to providers, or increase beneficiary cost-sharing, CBO said.
DB SmithAugust 17, 2012 - 10:04 am
Mr. Kaighn, thank you for your letter regarding the Obama cuts to Medicare. I was in the process of writing one myself but I could not of done any better. Hopefully it will help inform everyone of the truth. Thanks again.
DB SmithAugust 17, 2012 - 10:17 am
Obama did raid the people's Medicare Program for $716 BILLION to help fund his under-funded and over-budgeted forced health care system. This is not talked about enough.
Dink LaneAugust 18, 2012 - 3:55 pm
1. Did anyone receiving Medicare see a difference after AHC passed? NO-Because it took excess $$$ from Insurance Companies. 2. Who has a grandmother in a nursing home? HOW did she pay for that? Medicare + medicaid........ Maybe Mr. Smith can afford to bring his mother or grandmother to his house and give her 24-hour care...but I can't because I have to go to work.... Maybe Mr. Smith will take in other people's mothers... because he cares so much about the $716 Million taken from HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES -- NOT SENIORS.
James E.August 18, 2012 - 4:31 pm
Or Mr. Smith could take his grandmother/grandfather/wife to a retirement home and pay the $75,000/per year cost because Mitt/Ryan decimated Medicaid by turning Medicaid over to the states with inadequate federal funding. So, clear to see that their plan will impact those over 65 if they have to go into a retirement home (which many do). Democrats should broadcast this daily every day until the election.