I just can't wait 'til Bush reforms Social Security...

[troy2000]

...like he's reformed Medicare.

Medicare Head Admits to Problems With Drug-Benefit Program

The head of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services acknowledges that tens of thousands of poor, elderly Americans may have had trouble getting their medicine during the first two weeks of the government's new prescription-drug benefit. And about 20 states have been forced to take action to help them, the Associated Press reported.

The problems will be fixed, Mark McClellan, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, pledged in an interview with the Associated Press.

In some cases, databases are failing to show that people have enrolled in a plan. When their names do show up, many people are being told they need to pay hundreds of dollars before they can get their drugs; instead, they should owe only nominal amounts, the AP said.

"I'm working with the states, with the plans, with all of our partners to make sure people get the prescriptions they need," McClellan told the news service Friday.

Under the program, about 42 million disabled and older people are eligible to enroll in private plans that will subsidize their prescription-drug costs. Millions of prescriptions have been filled without trouble, McClellan said, but there's increasing concern that some of the poorest beneficiaries can't get their medicine, the AP said.

[7mmag6]

we have got to do something about health care in this country, what it is I dont know. I have no clue about the health care system, but something has got to give. Or we could round up all of us baby-boomers and wharehouse us. Big wharehouse of old farts, sitting around complaining. I just dont know

[Dale]

Originally Posted by 7mmag6

we have got to do something about health care in this country, what it is I dont know. I have no clue about the health care system, but something has got to give. Or we could round up all of us baby-boomers and wharehouse us. Big wharehouse of old farts, sitting around complaining. I just dont know

I know several couples who have been told by Social Security that their monthly amount will be lowered to help pay for the new Medicare Reform.

It's unfair to penalize some to make up for others.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

that's right Dale. however, i need not concern myself with it, there won't be any for me the way they are going now. I hear they want to raise the age again...great! I wonder when they think it will be okay for me.....at 85? I've already paid into it since i was 13...i'm 54 now....gee, all those years and I can't get even one check. thanks bush!

[troy2000]

I think it is inevitable that our healthcare system will become more and more government-run and paid for. Medicare was a step that way, and for many people it has worked well for years.

I got a laugh out of a story I heard a while back, about some old gal who stood up and told a speaker, "Keep Big Government out of my Medicare!"

[Rufus Rhastus J]

For some, yes. For others, it's a nightmare. But, not to worry. When billery gets elected she'll sort all this out! Have you forgotten, she had a plan many years ago. I'm sure it won't take her long to adjust it to fit today's needs.

[dhermesc]

The Hillary Health Plan was a disaster from the beginning. Why do you think it specifically made congress exempt from the plan?

[iflylow74]

As for social security, they should let people (if they want) invest that money. Guys my age (30's) will never see any of the money the gov took from us. Yes some will say we could loose our shirts if we invest our own money. But my answer to that is let ME handle MY money so the politicians cant redistribute it to some welfare queen with 15 kids. Hey, the retirement plan that congress has lets them invest so why cant we??????

[Shaun]

I am all for having the control over my SS at least I know I could pass it on and it would definitely do better in the commercial market.

[troy2000]

The problem I see with privatising Social Security is that it's supposed to be a safety net. If professionals regularly get burned in the stock market, why on Earth should we expect Joe Schmoe to invest wisely? And what do we do with the ones who screw up? Tell 'em, "sorry, you blew it--go right ahead and starve" when they hit old age?

I think privatizing Social Security is a scam intended to benefit the companies who would rake in huge profits handling the money. At the moment, only a piddling percentage of what gets taken in gets spent on administrative costs, because it isn't being handled by someone expecting to make a profit from it.

[iflylow74]

I say make it voluntary...If you do decide to invest your own money, you understand that you may loose your shirt and mother guvment aint gonna bail you out.. I have no prob with that. At least I would have a chance at a return on my money. With the current system, I probably will never see a dime of MY money.

Also, social security was never set up to be the sole income for most people when they retire. I think people should (if they can) prepare by squirreling back money for retirement.

[Shaun]

voluntary is the only way to go and you can limit the investment to mutual funds which are made up of 200 different stocks that way even a bad year it still can be effective and you don;t have to worry about a single company failing

[Stopper]

if it's voluntary for congress critters it should be the same for the rest of us.

[Rave]

Voluntary?Do you think most people will put the money where they can earn enough to retire on? With the interest rates as low as they are?
Do you think they won't touch it for a real emergency?
I think most folks will,when they reach an age to retire won't have the money to and many will wind up on welfare,almost what social security is anyway.
I figured it wouldn't be there for me so I went to work for the city,got my retirement,probably won't see ss and I don't care if I never see it,my retirement beats it all to heck anyway,like 400% more.
I feel sorry for the 40 year old folks today and their kids tomorrow.

[Rufus Rhastus J]

Troy 2000, i think you're right. bush just wants to reward some more of his buds, at our expense, as usual. God, i'll be glad when he's gone. My only hope is the next repub, if we are lucky enough to win, won't be such a liar and sleeze ball.

[Jesse]

Originally Posted by troy2000

The problem I see with privatising Social Security is that it's supposed to be a safety net. If professionals regularly get burned in the stock market, why on Earth should we expect Joe Schmoe to invest wisely? And what do we do with the ones who screw up? Tell 'em, "sorry, you blew it--go right ahead and starve" when they hit old age?
I think privatizing Social Security is a scam intended to benefit the companies who would rake in huge profits handling the money. At the moment, only a piddling percentage of what gets taken in gets spent on administrative costs, because it isn't being handled by someone expecting to make a profit from it.

Personally, I'll take anything over the current system seizing a huge chunk of my paycheck... with almost no chance of return once I retire. I sometimes wish that $ could go into a Roth style account invested 1/3 in Treasuries, 1/3 in gold stocks, and 1/3 in blue chips or mutuals.

[7mmag6]

you young guns get to work so I can live in the way im used to, NOW GET TO WORK=============ENSLAVE THE YOUNG