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Post by Carina on Jan 21, 2007 14:39:09 GMT -5
BTW, being one of the few here that may have experience with our Medicare system and recently implemented Plan D, I have to say that I'm very happy with it, on behalf of my MIL.
She pays a little over $200 every two months for Plan B (supplement to medicare), her SS payment is garnished for $55 per month for Medicare premiums, and her Rx bill was lowered by nearly $300/mo with Plan D (Rx coverage), while she pays only $30/mo for Plan D coverage.
So, she pays a about total of $350/mo for coverage and Rx, while her last hospitalization for TWO DAYS was $14,400. She didn't pay a penny for that hospitalization.
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Post by pia on Jan 21, 2007 15:03:40 GMT -5
CarinaHave you tried getting SSI for her? If she has SSI they will pay the medicare/Part D premiums. That's crazy...was she paying $350 a month?! I have medicare A/B and Part D. I don't pay for med premiums or part A. My medications are never over $5. At least not yet.
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sanman
NOTORIOUS
He'll flip ya. Flip ya for real.
Posts: 799
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Post by sanman on Jan 21, 2007 15:04:34 GMT -5
About socialized medicine...I have a question about quality of healthcare and availability of latest technologies and treatments. The only time I have come in contact with it is in Italy. I was on an bus excursion to Pisa from Viareggio with my two sons and my MIL, and my younger son got violently ill, which was highly unusual for him, and I was VERY worried. I went to a mobile first aid station on the main square, and I was VERY quickly whisked away in an ambulance, with the rest of my family in tow, to the local hospital. The treatment room was falling apart, the CRTs were things I used in grade school, and the rest of the equipment looked as if it was three generations old. I have had older Italian immigrant relatives tell me that they refuse to travel back to Italy at their age because they loathe the idea of getting sick in Italy...not only because their primary doc is here, but because, although the doctors are well-trained and good, the treatments and diagnostic equipment are out-dated. This is *not* a knock against Italy...please, don't take it that way...it's just a comment on the socialized medicine I witnessed first-hand and that other people have first-hand opinions on. There is the *cost* of health care, but there is also the quality of health care. I would agree that our system is broken for the uninsured/underinsured (no preventative medicine, mainly), and HMOs are quite schooled in getting around the rules of the system to cut costs and level of care, but I'm not completely convinced that socialized medicine is the way to go. There has to be another solution. *agrees* the standard of care would suffer severely. we've got the best healthcare system in the world...even though it is flawed...it delivers the BEST care. also, mediavixen...nothing is FREE. the healthcare in canada is paid for via exorbitant taxes. |
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Post by Carina on Jan 21, 2007 15:09:55 GMT -5
@sanny...you put it much more succinctly than I. I think the QUALITY of healthcare in this country is unmatched. Unfortunately, it *is* broken (and it's more than just a private vs. socialized solution), but when you get it, it's extraordinary. People who enter hospitalization through the ER, even uninsured, get the same attention as someone who is insured.
I could go so far as to argue that those who are uninsured get better post-ER treatment because the insurance coordinators aren't limited by the insurers requirements. I might be wrong there, but my only experience is being insured by an HMO during a major hospitalization for my family, which required me to have conferences with insurance coordinators who were fighting with our insurer for the best rehabilitative services for my family.
@pia...she doesn't qualify because she scrimped and saved her entire life, and her "assets" (i.e. her savings account) disqualifies her.
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Post by iami on Jan 21, 2007 15:38:01 GMT -5
iami, I can see why you would think that way. She does want the power, but then again so does anyone who runs for that office. I do think she would be an effective president. Far as the GOP goes, if they were smart they run from Bush as fast as possible. The general public is sick of him. The Repub Party runs the risk of giving the Dems complete long-term control of the government if they don't jettison Bush and his crew quickly. Joey, I agree that the Repubs can't win if they nominate a right-winger, although I still don't think that Bush is nearly as evil and dumb as you do... but he IS way past his prime as far as leading the country goes. My fear is that the repubs will do as they did here in Maine in 2006 only at the national level. We had a perfectly good, moderate, intelligent potential nominee for gov and what happened? The local repubs nominated a screaming, right-wing, ill-intentioned jerk who promptly lost in a landslide to a lazy, tax hungry (and not just for the rich, believe me), not-very-bright Democratic incumbent. Everyone agreed Baldacci (the Dem) was a loser, but few people could stomach the crazed right-winger. |
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Post by iami on Jan 21, 2007 15:43:16 GMT -5
Quick correction...she hails from Illinois, and she went to high school in the town next to us, where my kids go to school. She married Bill, from Arkansas, then picked NY as her Senatorial bid. Yes, there were a few groans from Chicagoland when she picked NY. But, she didn't pick Illinois because we are an historically Democratic state and she would be running against her own party, especially where Senators are concerned. I don't think she thought she would have as much to add or as much political influence, unless she picked another large state. Or, maybe, she just didn't want to live here.  Sorry about your loss, Carina ;D. I could even have forgiven her if she had shuffled off to Massachusetts... at least she went to school in Wellesley. It's possible she could have ousted Ted and the world would be a better place. Heh. iami |
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Post by moomama18 on Jan 21, 2007 17:13:59 GMT -5
I'm not for Hilary or against Hilary - I just know that this country is not ready to elect a woman. Won't happen.
Obama - I need to learn more about him. But I also wonder if this country is ready to elect an African American.
I think it is absolutely sad that these two factors would play the largest role in them not getting elected, though most would never admit it.
I am waiting for Joe Biden to enter the race as well. I will be checking him out a lot.
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Post by Carina on Jan 21, 2007 17:18:54 GMT -5
For me, the argument about a woman or a black is not even a question. For God's sakes, aren't we past all that?!?!
BTW, this isn't a comment on you, moomama...your question is valid, historically.
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Post by moomama18 on Jan 21, 2007 17:21:29 GMT -5
I know it doesn't reflect on me but being in the DC area I know it's more of an issue than people in this country want to admit.
I personally find it disgusting and quite offensive. I think we women have a tremendous amount to offer this country and we are never taken as seriously as we should be. We have come a distance but I guess I feel we should have never had to have come a distance - it should be equal from the get go.
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Post by Carina on Jan 21, 2007 17:27:25 GMT -5
If an ethnic or minority made his/her only platform that of the minority group that they are a part of, it *would* be an issue.
I want someone who represents the common interests of all of us...not just a part of us.
As much as Hillary and Obama don't wow me now, if they decide to make their platforms only women's issues or black issues, I would write them off so fast.
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