Obama Budget Squeezes Medicare—and Wealthier Seniors

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Medicare Advantage plans are paid 14% more than Original fee-for-service Medicare because Medicare Advantage plans offer more benefits than Original Medicare. That's why these plans are so popular with seniors. If Original Medicare was such a great program, one wouldn't expect to see SO MANY seniors dropping Original Medicare and enrolling in a private Medicare Advantage plan.
Shame on many members of the media for implying that Medicare Advantage plans simply milk the program for profit. That is not the case. Medicare Advantaghe plans provide tremendous value to lower-income seniors who cannot afford to pay several hundred dollars a month for an expensive Medicare supplement policy.

Uncfweddy of IL 6:50PM February 26, 2009

Isn't it bad enough that some seniors have had their life savings reduced dramatically this past year? Money they planned to live on! Now on top of that, they will have to pay more for health insurance, at a time in their lives that they shouldn't have to worry about it. Seniors need to fight more for their health benefits! Many are avoiding paying for drugs they need, glasses they need, and dental work they need. All seniors need to lobby for better benefits, both for living expenses, as well as health care. Shame on the U.S. government for not taking better care of its elders!

Ellen D. of NJ 5:39PM February 26, 2009

We have corporations and we have seniors who vote and their adult children who also vote. Any takers that the corporations are going to take it on the chin about all this for a while?

Muser of NM 5:18PM February 26, 2009