I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

This program, which Obama approved last week, the day after he promised that he would "never turn Medicare into a voucher" will affect 2 million people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.  That will include many of the stage IV women on this board. 

http://www.nationaljournal.com/healthcare/obama-more-flexible-on-medicare-than-rhetoric-suggests-20120908?page=1

"Never" didn't last very long.

ETA  Unlike the Republican proposal which would only affect those under 55, and would be strictly voluntary, this plan will be mandatory for those who are deemed "eligible" for it.

I don't know about anyone else, but as long as I get my Medicare, I don't care about people who are now under 55.   They've got plenty of time to make millions to pay for the insurance that the voucher won't cover.   And they're warned, so they know they better eat a lot of - brussel sprouts - to stay healthy.  Self reliance, that's the ticket.   It's the American way.   

Honestly, we just have to hope that enough people will start rejecting the Republicans down the line that there will have to be a movement back towards the center.  We can hope, anyway. 

I am really insulted that as a person over 55 I should vote for Romney's Medicare policy because my Medicare will be safe. I have chidren and I want them to have security in their old age too. Sorry, unlike some, I do not eat my young.

Stopping in to say good night. I have the strange feeling that ailen forces are circling our land of tranquility, but are unable to penetrate the force field. Stay safe, fellow island of sanity travellers. Hopefully the skitters (alien force field) will soon move on and peace will once again reign in our part of the universe. And thing will cease to fall from the skies.

"I've got mine-to hell with the rest of you" seems to be the new American way. Makes me sick. 

A toast to our bartender!

Blue-I'm going to try and steal that picture for my facebook page! That describes me very well.

Mary 

I hope everyone realizes that my comments on vouchers for those under 55  were meant to be sarcastic. 

Hi, fellow Voices of Real Reason, it is SO lovely here under the Block/Ignore button, really, I urge any who haven't tried it to give it a chance - it is SUCH a delicious giggle to see the notice when a person who just can't let go of this Friendship Group of wise, kind, supportive breast cancer survivors, who care about each other and the COMMUNITY tries to butt in and saves you from even seeing the words....really, and to bring along the next generation in those devious ways...I guess that's what happens when negativity is in the air one breathes. 

YEAH, Cory Booker - heard him say that Sunday am - cheered then, and again reading it here knowing someone else resonated with it.  

For all good polls, I suggest Nate Silver, 538.  Really is the best summation of all of them.  

SCOOT - YOU ARE THE BEST, the BEST, the BEST...really makes me SMILE, SMILE, SMILE everytime I get to read your words.

HL - you tell'em! They're all reminding me of a notorious actor, defending a certain "point of view" ranted on about when he got to Hollywood he had to make it all on HIS OWN, he even had to use Food Stamps, but he did it all on his own."  Nearly peed in my pants laughing....

And from the same article:

The IOM has put the failures into context through some easy-to-understand analogies. To wit:If banking were like health care, automated transactions would take days rather than seconds because of unavailable or misplaced records.If home building were like health care, carpenters, electricians and plumbers would work from different blueprints, with very little co-ordination.If shopping were like health-care, prices would not be posted and would vary widely within the same store.If automobile manufacturing were like health care, there would be no warranties for cars and therefore no incentive to monitor and improve performance and product quality.If airline travel were like health care, each pilot would be free to design his or her own pre-flight safety check, or not perform one.What is noteworthy is these analogies apply to Canada, too.So too do the basic messages, which are ultimately more important than the dollar figures.The IOM notes that the past half century has had dramatic biomedical advances, from drug therapies to surgical procedures, and many diagnoses that were once a death sentence (like cancer) are now chronic health problems, with both the benefits and challenges that entails.The paradox is that comparable progress has not come on the management side and “health care is falling short on basic dimensions of quality, outcomes, cost and equity.”

Never fear, Alexandria - we know you well and recognize sarcasm when uttered (or typed)

In regards to the actor who "did it on his own" while using food stamps - that's the Republican way, you know.  Everything they can get from the government, they do - and are usually first in line for it.  BUT, it was never actually from the government - they DESERVED it.  They conveniently forget any aid (or at least where it originated), so whenever anyone else needs help, well then that person should be able to "do it on their own, just like I did!"  I'll never understand the mine set of "I've got mine, to hell with you" that seems to permeate our society these days. 

What a shockeroo.....after listening to  ( ok....I admit it )  MSNBC last night and feeling fairly good, to then see the Nat'l Journal article.  Confirmation of respectful reason and I'm back to my good feelings.  No wonder I un-lurked myself after hanging around since page 600. 

Jackie

thanks Linda, sad reading, but hopefully, HOPEFULLY the USA is moving in the correct direction re: healthcare.

thanks, too, wr, moving.  Amazing, but true, as VP Joseph Biden has said, "OBL is dead, and GM is alive."

Alexandria - I think you do great snark

Years ago, when I watched Obama for the first time makeing his speech at the DNC...........I said "that man is going to be President one day........I had the feeling in my gut, he was insipiring, uplifting, and a breath of fresh air at the time....................and so here we are today..............wondering.......what has this country come to, what has our government lowered themselves to................"Let's make him a one term President"..............Horrible to put their sights on that being your main objective for the next four years...........................No matter what Obams proposed, what ideas he had, what good he could have done....................he was shot down from the moment he said "I accept the nomination", and even more so when he won the election........

We all know why many did not want him as President.............I heard it, comments, slurs, degrading remarks about him, and his family, and his race.....................

Maybe he hasn't done everything right, but his hands were tied by a Congress who was determined to strike down anything and everything he tried to do...............Now there are "assholes" out there doing a "poll" asking "did Romney help capturing Bin Laden".................are they frigging nuts.......................I personally think Obama has done the best he could do under the circumstances, and going into the office while the country was in the worst shape it has ever been in since the "great depression"......................I voted for Bush.......I liked him..........he failed in the final years...............and Obama got the blame................................

ALL I KEEP THINKING IS.............WHY WOULD HE WANT TO DO ANOTHER 4 YEARS.........also....love Michele and the girls.................class act..............and I am caucasian.........................

PatMom:  I suggest you take your questions up with the Institute of Medicine, the body that wrote the report and provided the examples.

But lioness ... we are researchers at heart.  Misrepresentations of articles and questions with answers easily supplied by common sense are like waving red flags at us. 

Which is not to say that people using these tactics should be allowed to hijack our conversations.  So you are right.  I am going to hop up and join you on the Serenity Bench.