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I don't have the confidence that JDeMonnin has in the stated reasons for cutting Medicare. Those talking points just don't jibe with the reality that more seniors will need home health care, which is often more cost effective than expensive nursing home or hospital care, and can be less distressing to the patient.

There was an opportunity to reform Medicare, but it was blown in this excessive overhaul effort. Killing the reviled Medicare Advantage, which I pay extra for and appreciate the extra coverage, is not going to save the system. And if there is that much abuse and fraud, why not fix it now and not use it as an excuse to rob the seniors to pay for future promises that may not help the overall system much.

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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I also have concerns about Medicare cuts to pay for these massive changes that I'm not sure will improve the overall health care of people in our country, regardless of age.

Oregon has one of the lowest doctor/hospital Medicare reimbursement rates in the U.S. Why should my doctor continue to treat me when he is already reimbursed less than his costs? I've known 2 people who moved for family reasons and had a hard time finding doctors in their new location who took new Medicare patients. One with serious health conditions had to commute 100 miles to see her doctor in her former community.

AARP may be in support of these new bills, but I cancelled my AARP membership because I didn't see them lobbying for reform that would keep Medicare in effect for the next generations, only cuts to pay for new programs that won't even cover many uninsured people until 2013 or 2014. What was their payoff, I have to wonder.

To the caller who wondered why some people don't want to give poor people health care, I don't think that is the question. Rather I think we live in a very flimsy cardboard house of health care and without thoughtful provisions to provide more than a quick fix voted on under pressure, we are all going to be wondering why we still don't cover everybody and probably why some doctors decide to retire early rather than be caught in expectations that there will be care for everyone, without adequate reimbursements

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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