AARP & Seniors: Clashing Views on Health Reform

[GWTW]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090901/us_time/08599191976200

"Since then, members' views have apparently shifted. At least 60,000 AARP members quit the organization between July 1 and mid-August specifically because of its pro-reform stance, and the organization's online message boards are littered with anti-reform posts. (AARP is quick to point out that during the same period, it signed up 400,000 new members.) According to a poll conducted Aug 4-11 by the Kaiser Family Foundation, just 23% of Americans over 65 feel they would be better off under reform proposals and even fewer believe the Medicare program would benefit. While plenty of other groups are united against reform, opposition from seniors, who consistently have the highest voter turnout rates of any age group - especially in midterm elections like the one next year - may prove especially perilous for the reform effort."

[Bill Justice]

I sent my membership card back to them. They are an insurance company posing as a senior advocate organization.

They support Obama's Medicare cuts. That makes no sense to most seniors.

[ortiga]

I sent my membership card back to them. They are an insurance company posing as a senior advocate organization.

They support Obama's Medicare cuts. That makes no sense to most seniors.

What are the cuts? Are you referring to the house bill?

Specifically, what are you referring to as cuts?

[desmom]

hmmm, I think I have read this already somewhere on the boards recently or am I having one of those senior moments? :lol:

[Roux]

What are the cuts? Are you referring to the house bill?

Specifically, what are you referring to as cuts?

I don't remember the figure bandied about, but cuts to Medicare Advantage have been mentioned by Obama at some of his town hall meetings.

[ortiga]

I don't remember the figure bandied about, but cuts to Medicare Advantage have been mentioned by Obama at some of his town hall meetings.

I thought he said they were being subsidized by another program already.

[forensicpsy~]

What are the cuts? Are you referring to the house bill?

Specifically, what are you referring to as cuts?


Oh, c'mon ortiga. You know perfectly well that Obama wants to cut trillions to Medicare over ten years. The links have been posted hundreds of times.

Stop baiting people.

imo

[orangetaffy]

I am stuck with the vision of the AARP meeting where the AARP Staffer, not only quit the meeting but took her Mic with her. We have troops meeting hostile forces in Iraq and Afghanstain and the AARP "employees" don't have the courage to meet with its "employers". That would be the membership. Does AARP speak for Seniors?

AARP no longer stands for "American Association of Retired Persons", it is simply AARP. Anyone 50 years or above can join. I dont consider that a "senior". Most seniors I know say AARP does NOT speak for them, and they say they do not share AARP's views on health care reform.

[ortiga]

obama is going to EFFECTIVELY eliminate Medicare by reducing the already low reimbursements to doctors and hospitals (his estimate is a $500b savings). Thus no doctor or hospital would be able to cover their overhead if they accepted Medicare patients.

He cannot legally take Medicare away, so he is cutting off the oxygen to seniors and doctors to force them into his single payer plan that he will control.

Oh, I think that is town hall stuff....Obama will control "his single payer plan"? He is trying to take medicare away, but is stymied by the law? Do you have a link to his wanting to cut reimbursements to doctors and hospitals?

In a few states there are very few doctors that will take on new medicare patients anyway, because the existing reimbursements are far below the prices charged in those remote areas.

Anyway, I haven't seen anything listed beyond the "Medicare Advantage" program to be adjusted, and if you have more details to support your post, I'd like to see them. I don't think that cuts in medicare are explained in the House Bill, are they?

IMO

[orangetaffy]

Primary care docs will see higher reimbursement rates via medicare, while specialist and hospitals will see lower rates. The rates for reimbursement of medical tests will also be cut.

Medicare supplement plans, such as Medicare advantage will be cut because the govt will cut the subsidies for them. Seniors will have to pay for them without govt help.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.txt.pdf

[desmom]

http://aarp.convio.net/site/PageNavigator/Myths_vs_Facts

None of the health care reform proposals being considered would cut medicare benefits or increase out-of-pocket costs for medicare services.

Health care reform will lower Rx costs for people in Medicare Part D coverage gap or "doughnut hole".

Health care reform will protect seniors' access to doctors and reduce the cost of preventive services.

Health care reform will reduce costly preventable hospital readmissions.

[orangetaffy]

"That leaves us with Obama's claim that, under the health care reform proposal, Medicare benefits will not be cut. He's right that the bill does not directly trim Medicare benefits; instead, the government is proposing ways to slow or eliminate some Medicare spending to beef up other aspects of the plan. But experts told us it's conceivable or even likely that those financial changes could lead to reduced benefits, particularly for people in the Advantage program. From that perspective, it's a stretch for Obama say that Medicare patients won't see changes in their plans as a result. We give Obama a Half True."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/14/barack-obama/obama-claims-medicare-benefits-will-not-be-cut-und/

[Roux]

Primary care docs will see higher reimbursement rates via medicare, while specialist and hospitals will see lower rates. The rates for reimbursement of medical tests will also be cut.

Medicare supplement plans, such as Medicare advantage will be cut because the govt will cut the subsidies for them. Seniors will have to pay for them without govt help.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.txt.pdf

A matter of semantics as to the definition of "supplement," but Medicare Advantage is not a supplement plan in the sense that it "supplements" the coverage of Medicare. Rather, it is an alternative plan which can be chosen over traditional Medicare.

Although the various Medicare Advantage plans would have been less costly to me, I opted to go with traditional Medicare and purchase a supplemental policy to pay for the balances that Medicare doesn't cover.

[ortiga]

A matter of semantics as to the definition of "supplement," but Medicare Advantage is not a supplement plan in the sense that it "supplements" the coverage of Medicare. Rather, it is an alternative plan which can be chosen over traditional Medicare.

Although the various Medicare Advantage plans would have been less costly to me, I opted to go with traditional Medicare and purchase a supplemental policy to pay for the balances that Medicare doesn't cover.

This really interests me because I have a year and a half to sign up for medicare and to learn about it. One of my relatives bought a supplemental policy, but it considers anyone who is taking statins as having a pre-existing condition, even though the cholesterol is low. So, that policy won't cover any illnesses related to circulatory problems, ie cholesterol, which is hard to believe.

Apparently the decision to change medicare advantage is shared across the board in the senate and house. That's the problem with some posters, they are so personally opposed to President Obama that everything is called Obama's plan, and worse:

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/hc_20090813_2912.php

"Some cuts to Medicare Advantage seem likely: The Senate Finance Committee, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and House bills all would cut payments to Medicare Advantage."

[ortiga]

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/14/barack-obama/obama-claims-medicare-benefits-will-not-be-cut-und/

"The core benefits of Medicare won't change," said Marc Steinberg, deputy director of health policy for Families USA, an advocate for health care consumers. "Most [Medicare Advantage] plans are solid and resemble traditional Medicare." However, some insurance plans have entered the program "to make a quick buck. They may have to reconsider their budget, which could mean some patients will see changes in the services provided above and beyond traditional Medicare."

[IaNsSyAlNuE]

Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- An Obama administration plan to cut Medicare payments to heart and cancer doctors by $1.4 billion next year is generating a backlash that’s undermining the president’s health-care overhaul.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601070&sid=apv3pcTOWVjk

[beattherap]

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/aug/14/barack-obama/obama-claims-medicare-benefits-will-not-be-cut-und/

"The core benefits of Medicare won't change," said Marc Steinberg, deputy director of health policy for Families USA, an advocate for health care consumers. "Most [Medicare Advantage] plans are solid and resemble traditional Medicare." However, some insurance plans have entered the program "to make a quick buck. They may have to reconsider their budget, which could mean some patients will see changes in the services provided above and beyond traditional Medicare."
you didn't quote politifact's conclusion---

"That leaves us with Obama's claim that, under the health care reform proposal, Medicare benefits will not be cut. He's right that the bill does not directly trim Medicare benefits; instead, the government is proposing ways to slow or eliminate some Medicare spending to beef up other aspects of the plan. But experts told us it's conceivable or even likely that those financial changes could lead to reduced benefits, particularly for people in the Advantage program. From that perspective, it's a stretch for Obama say that Medicare patients won't see changes in their plans as a result. We give Obama a Half True."

this is a little bit like the claim that 'if you like the insurance you have, you can keep it'... what obama leaves out is, with federal mandates, the plan you like might be out of business.

imo.

[desmom]

Sorry but you are wrong. I could care less what fluff AARP puts out as they have their own agenda.

You can ONLY rely on the written word of the proposed bill. Anything else is meaningless. If you don't read the bill you have nothing to offer in way of debate.

I did read it. :D

[Bill Justice]

Oh, c'mon ortiga. You know perfectly well that Obama wants to cut trillions to Medicare over ten years. The links have been posted hundreds of times.

Stop baiting people.

imo

I refuse to answer baiting questions. Medicare Advantage benefits many seniors like myself. Obama should leave us alone.

[Bill Justice]

What was the quid pro quo? We know he made a backdoor deal with Big Pharma.

I have Medicare Advantage through AARP.

They make more money on selling supplemental insurance at 200 bucks month.

With Advantage I pay nothing extra and get the drug benefit at no extra charge. I voted for Obama but never again. He lied to us.

[Bill Justice]

AARP backing down?


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-09-01-seniors-AARP-health-care-debate_N.htm


AARP, which has lost tens of thousands of members over its support for efforts to revamp the health care system, is preparing a post-Labor Day blitz to try to cast itself as a politically impartial advocate on health care issues.
"To be clear: AARP has not endorsed any comprehensive health care reform bill — but we are fighting for a solution that improves health care for our members," the group's CEO, Barry Rand, and president, Jennie Chin Hansen, wrote to members on Tuesday.

[ortiga]

you didn't quote politifact's conclusion---

"That leaves us with Obama's claim that, under the health care reform proposal, Medicare benefits will not be cut. He's right that the bill does not directly trim Medicare benefits; instead, the government is proposing ways to slow or eliminate some Medicare spending to beef up other aspects of the plan. But experts told us it's conceivable or even likely that those financial changes could lead to reduced benefits, particularly for people in the Advantage program. From that perspective, it's a stretch for Obama say that Medicare patients won't see changes in their plans as a result. We give Obama a Half True."

this is a little bit like the claim that 'if you like the insurance you have, you can keep it'... what obama leaves out is, with federal mandates, the plan you like might be out of business.

imo.

I didn't quote that conclusion because someone else already quoted it in post #16 on this same thread.

[desmom]

AARP backing down?


http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-09-01-seniors-AARP-health-care-debate_N.htm


AARP, which has lost tens of thousands of members over its support for efforts to revamp the health care system, is preparing a post-Labor Day blitz to try to cast itself as a politically impartial advocate on health care issues.
"To be clear: AARP has not endorsed any comprehensive health care reform bill — but we are fighting for a solution that improves health care for our members," the group's CEO, Barry Rand, and president, Jennie Chin Hansen, wrote to members on Tuesday.


bolding mine.

IMO, that has been AARP's position since all the health care reform debate started.

There are several links on their website that explain what is in H.R. 3200 and explains the facts and myths of the bill.

jmo

[Roux]

bolding mine.

IMO, that has been AARP's position since all the health care reform debate started.

There are several links on their website that explain what is in H.R. 3200 and explains the facts and myths of the bill.

jmo

That wasn't AARP's position. I was closely following their website about a month ago and there were hundreds of comments posted criticizing Rand's article and their position. People felt they were not bi-partisan, that Fact vs Myth article being a prime example. Why else did more than 60,00 cancel their membership? Why else would that AARP representative be so rude and dismissive at that meeting?

[Roux]

I'm sorry. I never trusted the lyin snake in the grass from day one.

Is Medicare Advantage an AARP plan? I am not familiar with it and don't recall my father mentioning it. He did say something about the VA being very good to him, much better than what he had; whatever 'had' was.

Why bother with gap unless you have health issues? I'm asking out of curiosity not to be flippant.

Medicare Advantage plans are available from many private insurance companies. They would be more like an HMO or PPO plan. You have to stay within their network for participating doctors and hospitals. With the Medicare Advantage plan you don't need to buy a "medigap" policy.

Medigap policies, a/k/a Medicare supplement insurance, are also offered by many private insurance companies. Medicare doesn't cover 100% so one would need a supplemental plan to pick up what you might be responsible for.