Medicare Should Cover Glasses, Hearing Aids and Dental Work

[Alan Grayson]

Our subject today is Congressman Grayson's recent bold statement that Medicare should cover glasses, hearing aids and dental work, because, as he put it, "most seniors have eyes, ears and teeth." But before we get to that, we just want to remind you that today is the last day to qualify for a chance to join Alan at Disney World next month by contributing $25 or more to his re-election campaign. We now return to our regularly scheduled commercial programming.

A couple of weeks ago, key progressive officials joined a conference call with grassroots leaders about how to protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid from Republican benefit cuts like the so-called "chained CPI." Earlier this week, we shared Congressman Grayson's statement on that call with you. Now, here is some of the Q&A:

Adam [PCCC]: We have a question from William Packson's e-mail [address], in Congressman Grayson's home state. He says:

"I am receiving $11,208 per year [in Social Security], out of which I must pay medical bills, rent, food, utilities, transportation, and prescriptions. As it is, there is not enough to pay for all necessities. What is Congress planning on doing to the cost of living adjustments?"

Congressman, would you like to take that first?

Alan: Well, sure. Unfortunately, there are Members of Congress, who are called Republicans, who are planning cuts to cost of living adjustments. The "chained CPI" is fakery that will recalculate the cost of living adjustments – basically with the idea that if the cost of gasoline doubles, that [somehow] doesn't represent a doubling in the cost of living, because some people will have to walk to work, not being able to afford gasoline. So they put more shoe leather into the calculation, and less gas. It's just cheating. I laid this out in an email I sent around, in a blog post a few weeks ago. [As I said,] they are just trying to baffle us with "you-know-what." It's not fair. It doesn't fully reflect the increase of the cost of living. And it's a shame, because as the caller points out, right now the money you get from Social Security isn't even enough to raise you above the poverty level. We are not giving our seniors enough to live above the poverty level. Imagine what it would be like if they got less. (And I'm saying "less" in some real sense.) So I think it's unconscionable.

I don't know exactly why Republicans feel the same way about cutting Social Security and Medicare like the way a moth feels about a flame. I don't understand that, but we have to deal with it.

The Sequester is in danger of becoming the latest excuse for giving rein to this desire to hurt old people, hurt poor people, hurt sick people -- and we just can't allow it. We've got a system that accurately assesses cost of living increases, and we have to protect it from attacks by the other side. . . .

Peter King [CBS News]: Okay. Thank you very much. I'm actually based out of Orlando, which is Congressman Grayson's home state. And you know this is obviously a very partisan position, and the message here is very much Democrats versus Republicans. . . . s there anything here that you would be willing to compromise [on] at all? I mean Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid are all really broad programs. And there is arguably a lot of waste in some of these programs. Just wondering to see if there is anything you could move an inch or a foot on here, to get rolling? . . .

Alan: Well first, it used to be that there was consensus on this. It used to be that Democrats and Republicans agreed that there should not be cuts to benefits for Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare – and that's changed. People used to regard Social Security as the "third rail" in American politics. You've probably heard that phrase before. [The "third rail" is the subway rail that carries electricity, and can electrocute you.] But now, Republicans are not only touching the third rail, they are dancing on it. And that's unfortunate. You know, Reagan used to say 'I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.' I think there are probably a lot of Republicans in the country, particularly seniors, who are scratching their heads and saying, 'I didn't leave the Republican Party, the Republican Party left me.' By this unquenchable thirst right now to hurt the needy. To hurt seniors, poor people, people who need medical care and just want to see a doctor when they are sick. It's not consistent with the original conception of Republicanism, of conservatism. We are trying to conserve these programs -- you'd think that "conservatives" would be with us.

But to get to your question, I will tell you this: I think you can eliminate fraud [without breaking the "No Cuts" pledge]. You can eliminate waste, you can eliminate abuse – and in no sense would you break this promise. This is a promise that is very clear. It's that we are going to "vote against any and every <u>cut against Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security <u>benefits." Benefits – that's what the recipients actually see. If they're in Medicare and they go to a doctor that means there are major procedures that are covered, and those are not going to change.

If we can eliminate or reduce waste, fraud and abuse of these programs, that doesn't change their benefits. If we can run the program more efficiently, that doesn't change their benefits. If we change the [taxation] payment plan, the Social Security tax, the Medicare tax, that doesn't change the benefits. If we change what doctors get paid for procedures, that [change] doesn't change the benefits, either. It's what the recipients see [that matters].

You know, we can't ask people to pay into these programs year after year, decade after decade, and then when it's their turn, we say to them, "Well, you know, the law was that you had to be sixty-five [to qualify], but now you have to seventy-two." That's not fair. It wouldn't be fair if the private entity did it. It wouldn't be fair if the government did it, either.

So the answer to your question is 'yes.' Of course you can make changes [that are not benefit cuts] to the program, and then make the program better. I'd like to see Medicare cover eyewear. I'd like to see it cover hearing aids. I'd like to see it cover dental work. As far as I know, most seniors have eyes, ears and teeth. [Laughs.] I think these things should be covered. I'd like to move in that direction. That would improve these programs. But in terms of cutting benefits, no – that's not fair.

Isn't it about time that someone said that we should be perfecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, not cutting them? Well, someone just did.

If you would like a chance to join that special someone in Orlando, then please click here. Last chance, last dance, last romance.

[freshwest]

1. Thank you Mr. Grayson, for being a human being.

[awoke_in_2003]

32. One of the few...

that isn't a corporate lackey.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. I literally can't function without glasses.

I got them when I was six years old (back in the days of cat's eye glasses) and needed them before that. They were baby blue plastic.

Mom always wondered why I had my face in a book. I read constantly. Still do.
And why I had to sit on the front row in school and could barely see the blackboard.

Took me to the ophthalmologist and found out I was quite nearsighted. Said she felt really stupid. And we've all had tooth problems that were painful before.

I think it's really stupid that insurance companies don't cover glasses, hearing aids and dental work.

Those things are necessary too.

[Nite Owl]

3. Hi Mr. Grayson,

This chained cpi idea really can't be completely blamed on the Republicans, it's our President who keeps offering it (offering the lives of seniors and the disabled). He wants that Grand Bargain and is willing and anxious to deliver us as an offering to the GOP to gain a few tax loopholes being closed. Quite a few dems in Congress agree with this, too many.

Thank you so much for all you do. You are one of the few who truly represent the people.

[bvar22]

4. DURec!!!

Medicare should also cover every single American from Cradle to Grave.
Unfortunately, the ACA is a giant step AWAY from Medicare for All.

[area51]

17. +1 n/t

[MoreGOPoop]

5. Effin' A!

Sir, we could sure use you in Arkansastan.

[russspeakeasy]

6. Thank you Mr. Grayson.....

[WillyT]

7. K & R !!!

[Flying Dream Blues]

8. K&R. Thank you!

You give me hope. Keep fighting the good fight for fairness.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. My sister is disabled and on Medicaid.

She recently had cataract surgery. Medicaid paid for the appointment with the doctor when she was told she needed surgery but it wouldn't pay for the surgery.

That's nuts.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

10. Into the 60's, 70's and 80's

Eyes, ears and teeth should be given all the care and attention needed. Losing these senses of seeing, hearing, talking and eating only makes old age more stressful and severely lowers the quality of life. Couldn't agree with Congressman Grayson more!

K&R

[kestrel91316]

11. I need new glasses. I wear bifocals (transitional)

and cannot touch a new pair for under $400. That's money I don't have. This country is a disgrace. Medical insurance should be Single Payer, and it should cover corrective devices for eye and ear problems AND dental problems.

Galls me that the teeth aren't considered part of overall healthcare. WTF??

[TexasBushwhacker]

14. Try getting them online

I tried buying my glasses online for the first time about 3 years ago and I'm never going back. They always include the cost of single vision lenses. Bi-focal, progressive and transitional lenses cost more. I've bought glasses from:

zenni.com - The cheapest frames are $6.95 and they go up the $30 or so. That includes single vision, high index (1.57) lenses with anti-scratch coating and UV protection. Progressive thin lenses add $39 and anti-reflective coating is $5. You still come out under $100.

39dollarglasses.com - frames start at $39 and go up from there. They regularly have $15 off coupons online. They will also re-lens old frames. Progressive lenses will kick the cost up to $100 or so. My only beef with them is they charge $25 for anti-reflective coating, which I consider essential.

eyebuydirect.com - Every now and then they have buy 1 get 1 free sales.

coastal.com - Some of their "house brand" frames are available for the cost of shipping (code FIRSTPAIRFREE) - single vision lenses included! They also have some designer brands, like Ray Ban, Gucci, etc. and right now they're 50% off. The only downside is that progressives cost at least $130 more.

If you go through MrRebates.com with any of these you can get 3 to 10% rebates.

How did I choose frames that I liked? I took some frames I already had that I liked and measured the width and height of the lenses, the overall width of the frame and the length of the temple. I use that as a guideline.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

16. I've gotten glasses from goggles4u.com and zennioptical.com

Very pleased with them.

Bifocals.

[shanti]

12. absolutely!!

it's astounding to me that they are not!

[rhett o rick]

13. Well said. What's the chance you will run for president in 2016??? nm

[Lugnut]

15. I just checked and you're right.

I have eyes, ears and teeth. If traditional Medicare covered these body parts I wouldn't have to use a Medicare Advantage plan that's dollaring me to death covering those things. Thank you for standing up for me!

[busterbrown]

18. I just got a Medicare advantage plan with anthem blue cross.. I wasn’t aware it helped out with

teeth or ears. I’m not even sure why I bought it.. Can you help me ??? Seriously. I’m in great shape and have not been ill in quite some time, but I felt I better get Advantaged plan cause I was told to...

[Lugnut]

23. It depends on your plan and your state.

See Post #22. Your Advantage plan benefit package should have included a ton of information about the coverage.

[LiberalFighter]

29. Our group offers Medicare Advantage.

It offers more benefits than regular Medicare and your secondary insurance. We also have less or no copays and deductibles too. Overall, it saves our people money.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. Please link to a Medicare Advantage Plan that covers dental. I don't care if it is costly. Link.

Thanks.

[Lugnut]

22. I think the coverages depend on the state you live in.

I'm in PA. Highmark Blue Shield's Freedom Blue PPO covers dental, eyeglass and hearing aids with limits.

[LeftInTX]

19. Major dental work can easily run over $20,000

Right now I'm having crowns on 12 teeth at a cost of $1,000 a tooth. And this is with insurance.

[Wilms]

20. ^

[shenmue]

24. Yes!

[bemildred]

25. Yes, they should, and it should all be run by the National Health Service (NHS).

Which would set standards and regulate delivery of services free to all residents needing them.

[dkf]

26. What is the funding mechanism?

Or is this all coming out of general funds aka increasing the deficit and debt?

Discussion seems to always be getting benefits, not discussing how we pay for the services we receive. The reality is if you want more you should pay more.

[Curmudgeoness]

31. If it were a guaranteed program

that didn't keep moving the finish line and cutting benefits, I would be willing to pay more for it, especially while I am in the work force. There are things that are that important. If the tax rate is not high enough right now to continue or expand the program, we should be looking at that. We all need health care, and we all will need more health care as we age.

[dkf]

33. A pay as you go plan should expect things to be adjusted for population imbalances.

Medicare gives people a lot more than they pay. It's already out of balance.

The way to make it work is by paying the same amount as the rest of the world for the same services. If we can't get there then the only way we increase benefits is by raising taxes.

[Curmudgeoness]

35. I cannot disagree

that we should be paying the same amounts as the rest of the world. It is a sin the prices we are paying here.

But I am really a "Medicare for all" proponent, so you can see that increasing taxes to increase health care is not an issue with me.

The fact that "Medicare gives people a lot more than they pay" does not concern me. When I think of the amount of money we pay for the military, politicians, bailouts, etc., I cannot imagine how anyone can argue that we should be taking care of the people who have been productive all their lives and are now too old to continue being productive. I do not want to see the day when people no longer able to work are kicked out to the street to die.

[dkf]

36. I actually don't have a problem with that either. What I dislike is the avoidance of the issue.

All I ask is that the populace be educated as to the choice, then we decide what we should pay for what we receive.

I greatly dislike the disingenuous argument that there is no problem. I also do not like the idea that people expect they will receive without having to pay. When you are disconnected from costs, that is when it gets out of hand and you get into financial trouble.

[Curmudgeoness]

37. Disconnection from costs.....

this was a discussion in another thread, and I related my story about trying to find out what a treatment was going to cost me. I was not able to get any answer. Others added their stories about trying to get the costs of procedures, tests, or treatments and not getting answers. I'm sorry, but no one will be able to convince me that we should be the ones responsible for finding out costs until the medical community is forced to standardize their prices and give accurate quotes when asked.

And you made an understatement when you said that the argument that there is no problem is disingenuous. A huge understatement. The problem is enormous.

[dkf]

38. That's why health care and especially health insurance cannot be market driven.

There is no transparency, nor are we equipped to make medical decisions.

We need some best practices guidance.

[Hoyt]

27. I really wish so too, but it will not happen in any of our lifetimes.

[madrchsod]

28. yup!

my glaucoma screening was covered but not the glasses. really dumb is`t it...

[Curmudgeoness]

30. As sad as this sounds, I am just hoping

that Medicare keeps covering what it covers right now, as inadequate as that is. My biggest fear is that I will have to wait longer and longer to get it, and they will have jacked up cost, deductibles, and jacked down what is covered.

But I agree, health care cannot be complete if it does not cover all of our health needs.

[Blue_In_AK]

34. Absolutely.

I can't remember the last time I went to the dentist. They're just too expensive. The up side is that it encourages me to take really good care of my teeth.