InfoAnda - Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

US, China pledge 'close cooperation' on world issues | 29 July 2009
Oracle settles SEC charges over secret India payments | | 17 August 2012
Celebrities need authenticity to rule on Twitter | 17 October 2009

Rockets hit capital two days before Afghan vote | International | | 18 August 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage By RICARDO ALONSOZALDIVAR,Associated Press Writer - 2 hours 4 minutes ago Send IM Story Print WASHINGTON – Think Medicare is a great deal? Better ask grandma first. Senate Democrats are talking about allowing aging baby boomers into the program, but it's far from free. Seniors now on Medicare pay an average of $4,400 a year of their own money for supplemental insurance, premiums, prescription copays, and deductibles for inpatient care and doctor visits. That's even after taxpayers pick up most of the cost of covering the elderly. Under one scenario Democrats are considering, people age 55 to 64 would have to pay full freight to join Medicare. Private insurance plans could well be a better deal for them. "It's more complicated than just saying, 'Open Medicare up to people 55-64,'" said health economist Marilyn Moon, co-author of a 1999 proposal to expand the program. "In theory, it's not a bad idea because you're taking an existing program that works very well for an elderly population and extending it to the next group of people. But the structure of Medicare is different from private insurance." On the plus side, Medicare is widely accepted, with 74 percent of doctors saying they are taking all or most new patients. But many people in their late 50s are still supporting 20-year-olds, even teenage children. Would the Democrats let Medicare cover kids as well? Medicare does not offer a family plan, and it's unlikely to under the Democrats' plan. The program, created under President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, covers more than 45 million older and disabled people. It's widely seen as a success because before Medicare about half of seniors were uninsured in life's declining years. But the program's long term financial outlook is in question, with its giant trust fund for inpatient care projected to become insolvent in nine years. The proposed expansion is part of an effort by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to find a compromise that can secure the 60 votes needed to pass President Barack Obama's health overhaul plan. It would be paired with an idea to offer average Americans the option of signing up for health insurance through the same federal agency that coordinates coverage for federal employees and members of Congress. That combination amounts to a consolation prize for liberals, facing the hard reality that the government insurance plan they wanted to create to directly compete with the likes of Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield lacks the necessary support in the Senate. The House bill includes a government option. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has spoken approvingly of the Medicare expansion, without offering an endorsement. Some House liberals who long have backed the idea of Medicare-for-all were enthusiastic. Senate Democrats rejected any notion that it was a last-minute ploy to get to 60 votes. "To regard a Medicare buy-in as something ... we don't really want but it's what we have to settle for would be a total misinterpretation of the feelings among most of us," said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y. "The Democratic Party has long sought it." AARP, which represents not only seniors but people over 50, is withholding judgment. "I can't say we support it or don't support it until we know exactly what's being proposed," said John Rother, top policy strategist for the seniors' lobby. "The positive side is that this is a program that gives you unlimited choice of doctors and hospitals, and can be run efficiently. The negative is that it's likely to attract high-cost people, and therefore the premium payments are likely to be high." The specific Medicare options Reid submitted to the Congressional Budget Office have not been released publicly. The budget referees are expected to report back in the coming week with their assessment of costs and other practical questions. A Democratic official briefed on the discussions among liberals and moderates leading up to the tentative compromise provided a basic outline of the proposal. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because no final decision has been reached. The goal of the Medicare expansion is to provide immediate help to older working-age people, among the groups most at risk of losing health insurance in a bad economy. Under the underlying legislation, Americans will have to wait three years to four years before major federal aid for the uninsured starts to flow. Opening up Medicare could start to reduce the number of uninsured now. The idea appears to be modeled on an earlier proposal by the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., for a transitional program until new insurance markets are set up under the legislation. People 55 to 64 who don't have coverage through an employer or a public program would be able to buy into Medicare. Premiums would have to cover the full cost of the expansion; Medicare financing for seniors' benefits would not be tapped. The budget office modeled a similar plan and estimated that premiums would be high _ about $630 a month _ and enrollment limited to a few hundred thousand people. There's a reasonable chance premiums would be lower _ and enrollment higher _ under the Democrats' plan, since they would bring in people in their 50s, and the budget office analysis did not. Democrats are also looking at ways to make the Medicare option available permanently. "It sounds to me like it's a full employment program for people trying to figure out how to make this work," said economist Moon, now with the American Institutes for Research. "But I don't think this is an idea you can discard." Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Can Chile's fractured left beat a billionaire? AP - 49 minutes ago Blair will give Iraq war evidence in public: inquiry AFP - 1 hour 28 minutes ago Jewish settler woman stabbed in West Bank Reuters - 1 hour 28 minutes ago Billionaire favoured in Chile vote but run-off seen Reuters - 1 hour 33 minutes ago Amazon projects undercut Brazil's new green path Reuters - 1 hour 38 minutes ago News Search Top Stories 'Whack A Banker' game proving a hit in Britain Top British banker admits 'mistakes' on bonuses US House passes historic financial sector overhaul Developing nations slam EU climate fund pledge Iran, Afghanistan, threaten Gulf security: Kuwaiti minister More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Tiger Woods' girlfriend apologizes in TV interview US House passes historic financial sector overhaul Iran, Afghanistan, threaten Gulf security: Kuwaiti minister Developing nations slam EU climate fund pledge Iraq strikes deals with Big Oil on southern fields More Most Viewed » Global stocks mixed amid Dubai debt crisis Tiny magnetic discs could kill cancer cells: study Virgin unveils spaceship to offer space tourism Mankind using Earth's resources at alarming rate Dubai blackout over debt plans to hit Gulf markets More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 13 December 2009
Lawmaker: Iraqi security had tip-off before bombs
Showdown looms over West Bank construction curb
Intelligence on Baghdad blasts mishandled: interior minister |
Iraq hails 2nd oil auction but risky sites shunned
Iran offers to swap low-enriched uranium for fuel
Seven crew missing after ship capsizes off Lebanon
Afghan cabinet unveiled end of the week: official |
Rebel Abkhazia chooses leader, Russia hails vote |
UN builds mud brick homes for homeless Gazans
Iranian clerics rally to support supreme leader
Brazil, Peru condemn Honduran limits on Zelaya |
Blair defends Iraq war, even without WMD
Iran proposes fuel swap on Kish island
Japan takes three titles in Grand Slam judo
Martial law ended in Philippine massacre province
Violence mars huge Copenhagen demonstration
Sri Lanka war refugees face uneasy homecoming
`Family Ties' actor Bonsall charged with assault
State Department says Cuba has detained US citizen
Peshawar on front line of Pakistan's militant war
Hundreds line up as Wash. coffee shop reopens
Police: Americans in Pakistan had Taliban contact
Guzzlers gouge rift between Nevada state agencies
Thailand seizes arms on plane from North Korea
Hawaii abuzz about Obama's expected holiday return
Houston voters could elect first openly gay mayor
Philippines lifts martial law in southern province
Official: Kabul deputy mayor arrested in crackdown
NYC woman gets probation for smuggling monkey meat
Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage
Rights complaint planned in Philly school attacks
Lebanon pressing US to deliver military aid
China, Kazakhstan unveil landmark gas pipeline
Japan, US reach 'open skies' deal
Woods may find it difficult to recapture old dominance |
Miss World opens with African drums, legal drama
French rocker in induced coma in Los Angeles
Murder At A Nursing Home, 98-Year-Old Woman Kills 100-Year-Old Roommate
Jewish settler woman stabbed in West Bank
Top British banker admits 'mistakes' on bonuses
Thailand to charge plane crew over N.Korean arms |
US-TECH Summary
Iran opposition seeks leader's removal
Rebel Abkhazia elects president in 'illegitimate' vote
Catalans vote in referendum on independence |
Google to produce, sell own "Nexus One" phones: report
Venezuela arrests ex-securities commission chief |
Search for Air France black boxes to resume in February
Google hints at making mobile telephone
China demotes editor after Obama interview: sources |
Intelligence on Baghdad blasts mishandled
Tiger's website becomes forum for fans, critics
Iran opposition warns of action against reformers |
Billionaire favored in Chile vote but run-off seen |
Amazon projects undercut Brazil's new green path |
Jewish settler woman stabbed in West Bank |
Google to produce, sell own Nexus One phones: report |
Gunmen storm jail, free 31 prisoners in Philippines
Body found on Mount Hood; 2 climbers still missing
Expanded Medicare won't provide seamless coverage
Aussie, Chinese officials urge pandas to reproduce
Correction: Japan-Slain Briton story
Man accused of killing 12 people captured in China
Obama, Medvedev discuss weapons treaty
Philippine kidnappers' animal sacrifice demand
90 vehicles trapped as Calif faces rain, snow, mud
Six injured in fifth Hong Kong acid attack
Vehicles stuck on S. Calif highway after mudslides
Police capture mass-murder suspect in China
Protesters damage Calif. university leader's home
Almost 1,000 arrested at Copenhagen climate rally
Missing Utah mom's family prays for her return
Episcopal bishop seeks prayer in rift over gays
Guerrillas stage Philippine jailbreak: police
Creator of first 50-star American flag dies at 67
Euphoria ends, reality bites Malaysia's opposition
Young Chinese groan at skyrocketing property costs
China cracks EU roadworks market via Poland
Haneke's White Ribbon sweeps European Film Awards |
Twilight studio to distribute Polanski film |
'Uncharted 2' nabs top prize at VGAs
Doh! The Simpsons still young and yellow at 20
Comedians in Chicago for Second City anniversary
Miss World: Gibraltar's Kaiane Aldorino crowned
Haneke's "White Ribbon" sweeps European Film Awards
Protesters condemn Swiss minaret ban
Hindus Protest Fox Channel Show's Remark That Ganges River Is 'Disease'
Supreme leader says Iran's opposition violates law
Catalans vote in symbolic independence referendum
Philippines hostage crisis ends, victims freed |
US, Russia talks on cyberspace security: report
Sudan leaders reach deal on disputed reforms
North Korea, U.S. agree to resume peace talks: report |
Dubai stocks maintain profits after break
'Whack A Banker' game proving a hit in Britain
Burned ayatollah photo sparks new Iranian protests
India test fires ballistic missile off east coast |
Brown vows new push to defeat Taliban
PLO set to extend Abbas term as Palestinian leader |
Sudan leaders "make progress" in reform row talks
Billionaire favored in Chile vote but run-off seen |
New Afghan city official detained over graft
Israel votes new funds for settlements |
Israeli cabinet to vote on new settlement credits
Petraeus sees shift in Al Qaeda's Iraq tactics |
Blair will give Iraq war evidence in public: inquiry
Ethnic tensions simmer in crisis-struck Guinea |
Cause of Air France crash may remain mystery: sources |
Thaksin back in Cambodia as Thai spy to be freed |
Militants attack Philippine jail, 31 inmates freed
The nation's weather
Thaksin provokes Thailand with new Cambodia visit
India test fires ballistic missile off east coast
Obama celebrates the holidays
S.Lankan rebels killed in cold blood: ex-army chief
Ex-Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra arrives in Cambodia
Senate to vote on $1.1 trillion spending bill
Gunmen free 47 hostages in Philippines
Thailand to charge plane crew over North Korean arms
Philippines hostage crisis ends, victims freed
Hundreds protest over decision on new Indian state
Dubai stocks maintain profits after break
Disney exec: China big enough for 2 theme parks
Bangladesh seeks investment for energy projects
Kate Winslet wins Best European Actress award
Romania's unwanted children given a chance
S.Africa tackles World Cup child trafficking fears
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01