Anyone ElseTerrified about Repeal of ACA Bill

Hi notbrokenjustbent, Medicare is NOT based on what you paid into it. It provides the same benefits to all after the age of 65. Hope that eases your mind a little.

Pupmom, I missed your response. Yeah, never thought I would be looking forward to birthdays cuz it brings me closer to Medicare. Go figure. I see I can also ride the train for .70 as opposed to $3.20 in a few years. Also free coffee at McDonald's. Who Hoo!

NotBroken, don't forget the senior discount movies! So much to be grateful for!

It sounds like any age could apply. Here is link I was reading:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/...

Shells, I have seen other proposals floated about such as being able to open up Medicare to people 55 or 50 or older. (I remember Hillary entertaining that idea). They would need to pay some kind of premium but again the premise is that at around the age of 50 or 55, health issues arise. If the sicker with pre-existing could buy into the Medicare pool the prices of the ACA would go down. I personally like the idea but it seems like it is not solving the underlying problem meaning skyrocketing costs and unaffordability. It seems like it is just cost shifting expenses and subsidies from one government program to another and adding to our huge deficit. Regardless, something must be done and soon but with the split in Congress I believe we will stay in gridlock. Can we at least get prescription prices under control? Likely not given politics, money and strong pharm lobbyists. Can we crack down on fraud and waste? Likely not due to incompetence.

The advancement of medical science is a true marvel. Think about all our advancements in procedures, instrumentation and diagnostic tools, and drugs. Transplants has become a regular procedure and years ago we never heard of an MRI, CT or PET scan. Science is growing in leaps and bounds and along with advancement comes costs. It is no doubt why our insurance has gotten so out of control.

I will add one more thought. Competition leads to better care and at reduced rates. Examples of price control are Lasik and cosmetic surgery. Both are not covered by insurance and you will find that Lasik prices have become extremely competitive as is cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic surgery was once something only the rich and famous could afford, (remember Zsa Zsa Gabor) but again prices have been stabilized or dropped over the decade. Once insurance is outta the loop prices go down. I am thinking this adds to the argument of single payer?

Notbroken, if you edit your post and hit “enter/return” at the end of the link it will be “clickable”

Thank you Serenity! I'm hoping if/when the Senate and Presidency change in 2020, Dems can straighten out this mess.

Looking like it will be two years of gridlock with nothing getting done. It was interesting to watch the drama unfold live over the wall issue. Nancy, Schumer and Trump were going at it and it was evident that there will be no meeting of minds on anything. I remember the fear of losing Obamacare but doing nothing is hardly a solution either.

Just wanted to add to some of the info above regarding Medicare and eligibility and cost. Everyone at 65 is eligible for Medicare, but you do actually qualify for your individual costs based on how many quarters you have worked, or whether you qualify based on your own work history, or the work history of your spouse. If you have not worked enough quarters, you can buy in to Part A. The other parts of Medicare also have their own premium costs which may be income based, and there are possible costs associated with Medicare supplements if individuals choose them in addition to Medicare coverage. The link below outlines the Medicare costs for 2019.

https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance

Sometimes I just feel like the world is chewing me up and spitting me out.

Everyone knew how the judge would rule. It seemed obvious that without the mandate it could not be viewed as a tax and therefore the entire law was unconstitutional. I get that but don't understand what that means going forward. So now it goes to Congress to fix? Ugh... good luck with that.

So Trump wants pre-existing to be covered and let private industry dictate price but if a BC dx can cost millions, how much would an insurance company charge for coverage? Also didn't Obamacare get rid of lifetime caps? Once that million dollar cap is reached one is cut off? Scary sh*t.

Lumpie, your name cracks me up. Thanks much for your post. I have spent a good deal of time today reading everything I could find on this issue and I saw nothing as comprehensive as your links. Very interesting and informative and thanks again for sharing.

Rosabella, that blue wave, maybe tsunami, is practically guaranteed!

Saw this article and had to share:

Administration may put spotlight on negotiated rates for medical care

The Trump administration is exploring the possibility of requiring hospitals and other health care providers to disclose reimbursement rates negotiated with health insurers. HHS is seeking public input on whether patients should have access to the discounted prices for health care services before receiving care, and federal officials said the move marks a major step toward a possible pricing transparency rule.

{Access to full article requires a WSJ subscription.}

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-...