Obama Skeptical Of Raising Medicare Eligibility Age

[ProSense]

Obama Skeptical Of Raising Medicare Eligibility Age

President Obama on Tuesday didn't directly dismiss raising the Medicare eligibility age as part of a deal with Congressional Republicans to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, but instead argued that such a course wouldn't be cost-effective.

"When you look at the evidence it's not clear that it actually saves a lot of money," he said in an interview with ABC News' Diane Sawyer aired Tuesday night. "But what I've said is let's look at every avenue, because what is true is we need to strengthen Social Security, we need to strengthen Medicare for future generations, the current path is not sustainable because we've got an aging population and health care costs are shooting up so quickly."

In a USA Today op-ed published earlier on Tuesday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) railed against Republicans' proposal to raise the Medicare eligibility age.

"On paper, it appears to save money for the federal government," Pelosi wrote. "In practice, it simply shifts the cost of health care to newly uninsured 65- and 66-year-olds, forcing them to pay more for their care out of their own pockets. It makes older Medicare beneficiaries pay higher premiums."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-skeptical-of-raising-medicare-eligibility-age

"Skeptical"?

It doesn't raise any money and will harm seniors.

Nancy Pelosi: Raising Medicare age part of Republican "assault on the middle class, seniors..."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021961855

[warrprayer]

1. meaning bend over and get ready

.... because it's gonna happen.

[Vincardog]

2. If you want to "strengthen" SS eliminate the cap.

[One of the 99]

4. Agreed. nt

[1StrongBlackMan]

7. Gee ...

I wonder if President Obama thought of that?

President Barack Obama revived a 2008 campaign promise on Friday, telling the crowd at an AARP forum that he would be open to raising the level of income on which Americans pay Social Security taxes.

“You know, I do think that looking at changing the cap is an important aspect of putting Social Security on a more stable footing,” Obama said, via satellite feed.


http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/09/21/obama-re-endorses-raising-social-security-payroll-tax-cap/

Why, yes ... Yes he did ... In very similiar language, as his language rejecting the gop offer.

[RagAss]

3. Do that to me and I leave this party and never vote again.

[limpyhobbler]

5. It's cruel to keep people guessing.

Politician's policies should be clearly announced in advance of the election.

[DonCoquixote]

12. It's also dumb to show your hand

If Obama said "I will never ever ever Evah ..EVER...raise the Medicare age" on election night, he might as well be pushing a button that says "hey Koch brothers, remember to change your strategy and fire on the never ever part, heck, make a commercial using that awful Taylor Swift tune!"

Simply put, he is waiting, biding his time, because time is on our side, he is forcing the GOP to A) either make concessions they will not want to do for fear of St. Grover or B) making them look unreasonable because they are holding out on taxes.

[1StrongBlackMan]

6. Oh nooooo ...

He didn't say "NO" so we all must immediately see that as evidence that he's gonna say "YES" ... in fact, he had that plan in mind the whole time!

{Yes ... That was my attempt at Sarcasm!}[i/i]

[whatchamacallit]

8. Good, I'll take that as a definitive position

Because after all, what kind of leader would foist something he's unsure of onto the people?

[forestpath]

9. Not cost effective?!? So if it did save money, it would be OK to make seniors suffer?

[ProSense]

15. If it was "cost effective,"

that would mean seniors are getting screwed by Medicare.

Since Medicare is more efficient than private insurance, the statement is almost a throw away...sort of like being "skeptical."

There is nothing to debate: Raising the Medicare eligibility age is a horrible idea that screws seniors.

In terms of these two programs, here's what we should be discussing:

Why Aren't We Talking About EXPANDING Social Security and Medicare?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021950679

[leftstreet]

10. 'didn't directly dismiss raising the Medicare eligibility age'

Great

[spanone]

11. knowing the media he probably was never asked if he dismissed it.

hence he 'didn't directly dismiss raising the Medicare eligibility age'

[splat]

13. Speaking softly with big stick. He's good. Better than before. n/t

[Skittles]

14. if it's not cost effective then take it off the fucking fiscal table

ENOUGH already