Where will the money come from to pay for it?
Who will pay for it? Who will not? Look for figures that show actual savings and cuts in other programs, not promises of what might happen. If taxes do go up, what happens to people who cant make a living now? Do people who make more pay more? Can you afford it?
What will it cover?
One idea that people like is universal coverage. This means everybody pays the government and the government pays for health care. It is important to know how and what the government would decide and how and what you would decide. Will the care you need be rationed or will it be available to you?
What about reforms?
Nothing will improve without raising Medicare rates, cutting paperwork, cutting costs, and finding good prescription drug plans. What plans make sense? How will Medicaid and Medicare be protected?
What else will it leave out?
What about dental care, or pre-existing conditions? What about pre-natal care or labor and delivery, prescription drugs or expensive surgery, home care or nursing home care? What are the deductibles and co-payments? Think of all the things you need a doctor for.
Be sure and vote!
Health care is something everybody needs. It is an issue of vital importance to all of us. Be sure to consider a candidates position on health care when choosing who to vote for. If you dont vote, someone else will decide that for you.
1 Colorado Coalition for the Medically Underserved
2 Fewer states pay full cost of workers health care, by M. Mello, Associated Press, Sunday, 8-19-03
3 More small firms drop health coverage, by Jeff Tucker, Pueblo Chieftain, Sun. October 19th, 2003
4 Insurance issues collide to raise rates, by Jeff Tucker, Pueblo Chieftain, Sun., October 19th, 2003
5 Tori Ramsey, Steel City Agencies
The New Medicare Bill: What is it?
The new Medicare Bill will create a new complicated program that will offer benefits for prescription drugs. It will also mean more costs for Medicare for some people. Heres what the program does and does not do:
· In the spring, 2004 Medicare recipients can pay $30 a year for a temporary discount drug card that could save 15% or more on the cost of prescription druges. Low-income participants can also receive $600 per year toward drug purchases.
· In January, 2006 participants pay $35 a month for a Drug Purchase Plan. It pays 75% of the cost of drugs until you pay $2,250. There is no additional coverage until you have paid out $5,100. Then there is 95% coverage. These changes in what one pays are confusing and may make it hard for one to use or to keep track of.
· Coverage is generous if you are low-income ($12,124-individuals or $16,363-couples) all you pay is $2 for generic drugs, $5 for brand name. Above deductibles dont apply.
· The new law does nothing to reduce the overall costs of drugs or health care. In fact, the bill prohibits the government from negotiating for lower drug prices for seniors. The bill also fails to legalize buying drugs from Canada. The pharmaceutical industry is the big winner.
· There are no explanations as to how the new plan will be paid for or what might be cut in order to pay for it. Long term consequences or implications are not identified.
