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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrump 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" .
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.
OKNancy
(41,832 posts)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)money would be interested in tax-advantaged accounts at that age.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)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)Trump or his Repuke cohorts come up with. I haven't trusted them in years and am not about to start now.
stillcool
(32,626 posts)MiniMe
(21,718 posts)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.