BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Bobert
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 05:09 PM

Shoot, Greg! Actually no one, including the folks who wrote the bill fully understand it but one thing is fir sure, it's so danged complicated that it will implode. This *doughnut hole* that doesn't cover yer perscriptions, then does, then doesn't and then finally does is going to be a nightmare to administer... I'll tell ya' what, if you took a room full of health care professionals and told them that they were to write the worst Medicare bill that they could then they couldn't produce a worse plan than what is about to be signed...

And I'll just throw one more thing out. And Catter's who will be old enuff in '06 to have Medicare, ya' better start studying this bill now 'casue there a lots of choices you'll have to make where this bill is going to be yet another tax rather than a benefit... Read all the fine print...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Greg F.
Date: 07 Dec 03 - 11:59 AM

New Medicare Bill Bars Extra Insurance for Drugs
By ROBERT PEAR

Published: December 7, 2003

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 — Medicare beneficiaries will not be allowed to buy insurance to cover their share of prescription drug costs under the new Medicare bill to be signed on Monday by President Bush, the legislation says.

Millions of Medicare beneficiaries have bought private insurance to fill gaps in Medicare. But a little-noticed provision of the legislation prohibits the sale of any Medigap policy that would help pay drug costs after Jan. 1, 2006, when the new Medicare drug benefit becomes available.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/07/politics/07MEDI.html

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Hrothgar
Date: 24 Nov 03 - 03:35 AM

In order to get that resignation, you have to have a president who decides that the most patriotic thing he can do for his country is to resign.

Can you see Dubya going through (or being allowed to go through) thought processes like that?

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: harvey andrews
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 03:39 PM

Don't worry folks...follow the example of Georgia...force a resignation!

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Peace
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 02:22 PM

If everyone wants to get the attention of insurance companies, CANCEL YOUR INSURANCE. They will wake up way fast!

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 02:19 PM

Don't wan't to be selfish about it, but the worse things get with your health care system in the USA, the less danger there is of us every going down that road here in the UK, so Bush and Co are doing us a favour. (On this issue, the furthest right of our Conservative Party would count as raving lefties over there.)

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: GUEST,Frankham
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 12:22 PM

We've AARPed out as well. Forget 'em.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Mickey191
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 11:29 PM

Interesting Comments on AARP. I've my car insurance with Hartford Insur. thru their auspices. I can honestly say that I get an excellant rate-And I do occasionally check with other companys to compare rates.

A few years ago I was made aware of a kind of walker for disabled people, it is a bit fancy with wheels & a seat. It was mentioned in a column in the local paper that this excellant item sells for around $360. & is affordable to alot of seniors who can't afford the "Rascal" type. The columnist mentioned that AARP would not run ads for this "Rollator" (I believe this is the corrct name-if need be I can check my files) because the Rascal Co. paid a heavy fee for advertising. The Rollator is American made, in small family owned factory. I spoke with the owner & he confirmed AARP's refusal. I ordered one of these items for a nearby Veterans Hosp. in honor of my husband. It is a fine aide for the handicapped. I wrote a letter to Morris Deets, Then head of AARP asking him to please rethink his position on advertizing it. Got no answer. That told me where AARP's heart & concern are.

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 10:41 PM

yup..I am not suprised (and at age 64.5, am not a member of AARP, either! They chased me for 10 years and finally gave up)

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 07:01 PM

Yessir.

William D. Novelli, chief executive of AARP is a & multi-millionaire& a BIG Republican contributor. Just 'Google' his name.

About a quarter of AARP's $635.8 million in operating revenue last year came from activities related to health insurance marketed under the AARP banner by the UnitedHealth Group, the nation's largest health insurance company.

Can you say GREED?? and members think this outfit has THEIR best interests at heart? Puh-leeze.

God Help America.

Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 05:57 PM

I get the 'feeling' that those running AARP from day-to-day are not all 50+ themselves, and/or have certain 'enlightened self-interests' that may not match perfectly with the general ones of most seniors...ANY significantly large endeavor/cause seems to attract managers with their own agendas...

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Don Firth
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 02:54 PM

On NPR this morning, Daniel Schorr commented that at one time, AARP was an advocate for older people, but within recent years, it has become just another insurance broker.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Mickey191
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 01:32 PM

I'm awaiting my next AARP bulletin in which they must explain why they are supporting this plan. Do the Republicans own every damn thing?   I've just been reading that the President's Buddy owns the Voting machines. How very convenient. There is no hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Greg F.
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 09:49 AM

If you don't like the opportunity to put part of your medicare in the private sector, opt out. It's not mandatory.

However, vastly increased premiums if one opts to stay in "Traditional Medicare" ARE mandatory, and that IS a Big FeckingDeal, Strick old son.

Another BFD is the hundreds of thousands (possibly millions)of people in private drug plans who will lose that coverage.

Another BFD is that257,000 New Yorkers enrolled in the state's EPIC prescription drug program would have to pay more for drugs than they do now. In all, some 650,000 New Yorkers would wind up paying more for prescription drugs under the congressional plan. The same is doubtless true in other states.

Another BFD is that the legislation would, in effect, prohibit importation of drugs from Canada, thereby eliminating powerful leverage to keep costs down.

Another BFD is that Medicare would no longer be able negothate with drug companies and use its purchasing power to drive hard bargains with drug manufacturers. This measure alon would pump billions into the hands of drug companies.

This is a real turkey of a bill just in time for Thanksgiving, and the Generation of Morons in the U.S. think its just great; of course, they have no idea what the bill really does, and apparently care less.

God Help America.

Best, Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: GUEST,Strick
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 09:01 AM

If you don't like the opportunity to put part of your medicare in the private sector, opt out. It's not mandatory. BFD.

There's not really a gnat's difference between this bill and the "me, too" bill the Democrats proposed. Bitter because the Dems would rather this were stalemated so they could use it as an election issue?

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 08:28 AM

You might be right, Peter... I mean, when CEO's are dragging down $10M a year, that GS-15 at $125,000 is lookin' more and more like a bargain...

But, hey, everyone knows that the governemnt can't be trusted and corporate America can! Right?

And when you throw the kickbacks (Donations, ha...) to the politicans from ther insurance companies, it may end up 30 cents worth of health care and 70 cents worth of corruption...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Midchuck
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 07:59 AM

Problem is:.... If ya ' got, say, a $1.00 fir health care and you drag in middle men (insurance companies) to pay for the care then now you end up with 70 cents worth of health care and 30 cents for the middle man...

Bobert, I envy you your optimism. Or did you type too fast and get the proportions reversed from what you intended?

Peter.

Subject: BS: Enron to run Medicare?..........
From: Bobert
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 11:15 PM

Well folks, judging by what little is known about the Repub. Medicare Plan that was written, as per usual, behind cloesed doors and without any Dem. input, it looks like a lot of privatization. Normal...

Problem is:.... If ya ' got, say, a $1.00 fir health care and you drag in middle men (insurance companies) to pay for the care then now you end up with 70 cents worth of health care and 30 cents for the middle man...

Hmmmmmm? Why does this make mean that ordinary working folks are gonna get more rather than less? Well, they won't... But don't worry about the Ken Lay's of the world going hungry... Now our tax dollars are going to be darned sure that Ken will have a turkey fir his table on Thanksgiving... That's what great about America. We're always ready to help when a man's down in the mouth... Hear, hear, I say...

As fir Baby Boomers gettin' what their parents have now.... Forget it, won't happen...

But, hey, Ken's gotta a turkey for Thanksgiving...

Awww, nevermind....

Beam me up...

Bobert