APNewsBreak: Upper income seniors' Medicare hike

[Lasher]

15. Some background

Substantially Higher Part B Premiums in 2007 As Medicare Means Testing Starts

For the first time in Medicare's history, millions of seniors will be required to pay substantially more for their Medicare Part B premiums than other seniors next year. In 2007 the government will begin "income relating," or means testing. Higher income seniors will have to pay more for their doctors' services and outpatient coverage. The change, which comes as part of the 2003 Medicare drug legislation, could affect as many as 2.3 million seniors according to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

<snip>

Means testing of the Part B premium was one of the most controversial elements of the 2003 Medicare drug law. Neither version of the law originally passed by the House or the Senate even contained the provision. The Washington Post reported in 2003 that the House version of the legislation would have required Medicare beneficiaries to pay more for medicine under the new Part D drug plans. The provision to charge higher income beneficiaries more for the Part B premium rather than for prescription drug coverage was inserted at the last minute by the small handful of Congressional leaders who negotiated the final version of the law behind tightly closed doors.

Means testing radically changes the nature of Medicare. The program was designed as universal social insurance with everyone paying a uniform premium and receiving a standard package of benefits. Supporters of means testing argue that it's needed to cut Medicare costs and make the program more sustainable. Government estimates, however, indicate that higher premiums for some will not save Medicare.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2978842

Some of you think Medicare means testing is a good idea, unless you yourselves are affected. Once thresholds are established, however, the next step is to lower them. And that's just what is happening now. If you're still not caught up in this means testing, maybe it will be your turn in the next go-around, sure to follow.