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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(108,060 posts)
Sun Feb 16, 2020, 03:56 PM Feb 2020

Trump wants to kill Grandma: Two items buried in Trump's budget call for big changes to Medicare

About 115 pages into President Trump's proposed 2021 budget are two line items that Medicare beneficiaries might want to take note of.


While the president's proposals pertaining to Medicare are largely aimed at behind-the-scenes shifts — i.e., lowering reimbursement rates to providers and rooting out waste or fraud — the budget also includes changes that would make it easier for older Americans to opt out of Medicare and would allow recipients to put money in tax-advantaged accounts earmarked for health-care costs.

Trump's budget is essentially a rundown of administration priorities and goals versus a mandate, and any changes in funding or to the program would need to make it through Congress. And while details are slim regarding either of these changes — and how they would interact with existing rules — here's the gist of the two line items (which are found under the heading "Reduce government-imposed burden in Medicare&quot .

Opting out of Medicare Part A

The first proposal would allow individuals to opt out of Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) without the move interfering with their Social Security benefits.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/healthcare/two-items-buried-in-trumps-budget-call-for-big-changes-to-medicare/ar-BBZW0OP?li=BBnbfcN&ocid=hplocalnews

I fear many seniors may be scammed by those offering so-called tax-advantaged accounts.

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Trump wants to kill Grandma: Two items buried in Trump's budget call for big changes to Medicare (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Feb 2020 OP
It's disgusting but it will never pass OKNancy Feb 2020 #1
Doesn't appear to affect very many people, and it's not likely anyone without significant Hoyt Feb 2020 #2
lowering reimbursement rates to providers dixiegrrrrl Feb 2020 #3
As a general rule of thumb, I would not agree/sign onto any Medicare or Social Security changes Frustratedlady Feb 2020 #4
I like that rule... stillcool Feb 2020 #5
After having gone through open heart surgery in November... MiniMe Feb 2020 #6
Kick dalton99a Feb 2020 #7

OKNancy

(41,832 posts)
1. It's disgusting but it will never pass
Sun Feb 16, 2020, 04:01 PM
Feb 2020

this year as long as we have the House. I bet some Republicans wouldn't care to run on cutting Medicare either.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
2. Doesn't appear to affect very many people, and it's not likely anyone without significant
Sun Feb 16, 2020, 04:12 PM
Feb 2020

money would be interested in tax-advantaged accounts at that age.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
3. lowering reimbursement rates to providers
Sun Feb 16, 2020, 04:13 PM
Feb 2020

and allowing for Soc. Sec. recipients to opt out of Part A.......both will structurally damage the program, at a time when
possible expanding Medicare for all is a goal.

Urban medical providers can still get patients with Medicare and private pay insurers.

Rural areas are a lot more dependent on Medicare/Medicaid.

Frustratedlady

(16,254 posts)
4. As a general rule of thumb, I would not agree/sign onto any Medicare or Social Security changes
Sun Feb 16, 2020, 04:40 PM
Feb 2020

Trump or his Repuke cohorts come up with. I haven't trusted them in years and am not about to start now.

MiniMe

(21,718 posts)
6. After having gone through open heart surgery in November...
Mon Feb 17, 2020, 12:27 AM
Feb 2020

I will never be without standard medical insurance. I'm still working through the bills now, I would be broke if I didn't have insurance. I have ObamaCare, it costs me a fortune (about $1,500 a month), but seeing the bills that are coming in from the surgery, it is well worth it. Medicare + a supplemental policy will count as standard medical insurance. I'm scarfed to death that the orange buffoon will mess up what I've paid into all my life.

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