I think the Medicare increase is one of the biggest issues right now

[MaineDem]

I just spoke with my mother, an 84-year old. SHe lives in a Seniors Apartment building. The rise in Medicare is quite the topic of conversation there. The people there fall into one of two camps. One group is furious. The other group doesn't care because they're covered under Medicaid or SSI or some other governm,ent benefit. They think "as long as I'm getting this I'm not going to question it". That's driving my mother nuts. THese people tend not to vote but they acceot every benefit they can.

The first group is staunchly anti-Bush and they will surely vote.

I think it's a great move for Kerry/Edwards to make this increase a major issue. Once the FL storm is over they should be down there spreading the word everywhere.

The new ad is superb dealing with this.

[Southsideirish]

1. They need for the "Grey Panthers" to come back!! The seniors

should find a Howard Dean to represent them from sea to shining sea and resurrect their defunct activist organization. They have been quiet for too long.

[topanga]

2. Seniors deserve it...

Medicare is a basic human right, as well as free medicine. WHat is the repukes problem? How can they be so unfeeling?

[The Zanti Regent]

3. You forgot to add the $35 for the Prescription benefits

Add that and the medicare premium goes over $100 dollars.

I think OUCH will NOT be the four letter word coming out of the mouths of seniors when they get THAT bill!

[topanga]

6. $100 is not free.

Not even with repuke math.

Free shoudl be 100% no cost, no charge, no deductible, no nothing, free.

Drug companies should be forced to provide free medicines to anyone who needs them, anything short of that is putting moeny before someones health!

How do the repukes think they can keep an undocumented worker healthy?

[Malva Zebrina]

4. there are lots of people who accept every benefit they can

and still do not vote. The first that comes to mind are the Jehovah Witnesses.

I don't think you meant to sterotype seniors who are on Medicaid. You don't know what is in their minds. It is possible they think they will be reomoved from the roles if they bite the hand that feeds them so cling to anonymity for what they perceive is safety.

My mother was on Medicaid--and lived in a housing project. She could not seek or work on a job for a few extra bucks. She snuck out and did get a job in the local college behind the steam table and she loved it--the kids called her mom, and she delighted in all of it.

Someone in her apartment complex ratted on her--end of job.

So,she was tied to having the way she lived her life dictated to her simply because she received government assistance. That has to cause more than a little frustration and resentment.

[MaineDem]

9. I'm sorry, of course I didn't mean to stereotype

It seems I was insensitive and I apologize. I was relaying my mother's frustrations with SOME of the people in her building.

You're absolutely right. But what my mother's frustration comes from is the fact that many of these people have no interest in voting. I'm sure she nor I begrudge them all the assistance to which they are entitled.

[MaineDem]

5. Medicare goes up; Social Security goes down?

My mother said that if the payments to Medicare are increased their Social Security benefit is decreased to cover the cost. Does this make sense?

[topanga]

8. No sense at all!

The rich have way more than their fair share, why should someone who can't work not get what they need or want jsut to maximize the profits of some greedy fat cat industrialists?

It is shameful!

[happynewyear]

11. depends on how much the increase is ....

and it also depends on how much you are collecting from Social Security. If they dish out another whopping 1.3% increase like they did last year, many will be getting a smaller check. Some will about break even and others MIGHT see a few more bucks.

All in all, its screwed for those on Social Security because you don't get a whole hell of a lot from it anyway!

Scenario: Person gets $400 a month; Medicare goes up 17%. Increase for the year 1.3%. This person ends up with another $5.00 a month at the most, thus they will see less yes. As for the $35.00 a year (and gee that might pay for one month of that bogus "drug" plan), who in this category can afford it that is on Social Security (SSA) and is not collecting SSI?

:puke:

[topanga]

12. So why not go with the simple answer then?

Raise everyones SSI by 25 or 30%?

That way the seniors and other less fortunate people can get what they need with their dignity intact.

Alls it will take is for the Re-pukes to grow a heart, and maybe get knocked on their heads so their compassion bone becomes unstuck.

After that it is just a matter or reprinting the tax forms!

[happynewyear]

13. SSI and SSA are two different things

SSA - you get what you've paid into.

SSI - is a supplement for those THAT QUALIFY (i.e. must be broke)

Sick, sick, sick!

The example I provide is of someone that doesn't qualify as "being broke" and doesn't want to have to draw extra money to live off of the great system.

I agree with you. SSA/SSI increases need to be a whole lot more than 1 or 2% a year! The way things are now with all of the inflation, the annual increase should be more than the 17% that Medicare will be charging in Jan. 2005 (without their crappy drug plan that is!).

Try living on it! Just try! Good God it isn't easy and I feel like an idiot when I donate to causes only being able to contribute a few bucks at the most.

Oh well, at least I do what I can which is more than many do!

:dem: :kick:

[happynewyear]

7. Some disabled people are on Medicare as well

Please DO NOT forget this group of people - the disabled! Some disabled people that have worked only to later become disabled end up without a choice on Medicare and you could be as young as 30 years old! It is an absolute disgrace the way the disabled in our society are IGNORED. People always think Medicare = Senior Citizen when Medicare might = being totally disabled and screwed for life when you very least expect it.

Who wants to live a long time with this type of scenario unfolding? I hate to even think about it. :puke: :puke: :puke:

You don't get a whole hell of a lot for the $68 a month; most likely even less with the premium increase.

Supplemental policies pay for what Medicare doesn't fully pay for - end of story sadly enough.

:puke: again ....

:grr:

:dem:

[jwirr]

10. Medicare/Medicaid

As one of the last group who has the Medicare premiums paid by Medicaid I would suggest that your mother ask them how long it will take bushie to cut their programs if he gets elected. We may not know it but we are all in the same boat today. Unless you are super rich like bushie - you can have benefits taken away. These include all people programs from libraries to health care and social security. Everyone uses tax supported services: roads, schools, education loans and grants, transportation services, postal services, hospitals, nursing homes, police, firefighters, emergency services such as FEMA, defense programs and all the other things that we take for granted. Somewhere you fit into this group. Bushies do not believe that government should provide most of these services. They believe that they should be given by for-profit businesses. Can you see a for-profit keeping the costs down? If you do not support Kerry - you also will be the loser.