Medicare facts- fix Medicare is not that much cheaper than National Health

[papau]

The Academy of Actuaries released a Medicare financing discussion (issue brief http://www.actuary.org/pdf/medicare/financial_march04.pdf) noting that the 3.1% of payroll of additional tax needed under the March 23, 2004 report of the Trustees also has a 5.1% as the "forever" estimate additional annual payroll tax needed based on the Bush administrations scare folks into giving up Medicare program.

In 2003 Medicare was 2.6% of gross domestic product -GDP - and would likely increase to 3.4% in 2006 as the drug benefit begins.

Indeed 7% of GDP is likely with no change in the system in a little over 20 years.

The actuaries do not mention - but it seems obvious - that if 7% is likely by 2030, we may as well pay 10% and have single payer National Health insurance.

Or do we want the 15% increase in earnings needed by insurance companies for shareholder dividends and CEO bonuses to cause a 25% of GDP Health Insurance Cost world in 2030?

Indeed the CBO just increased projected Medicare costs to allow for the money wasted as we implement Bush's "inefficient compared to government "insurance company" Medicare option" in 2010. Do we really need to give money to the rich and their corporate investments?

Even the GOP should be embarrased by the CBO decision to increase the projected cost of Medicare because the CBO has noticed how much more costly health insurance delivered under private health insurance is compared to health care run by the government.

[whistle]

1. Medicare Drug Discount cards are a sham...

...Seniors have to pay for the cards, then the drugs they are told will be covered, can be dropped at the discretion of the card issuer. What a rip-off!

[dumpster_baby]

2. my perception is that....

....most of the democratic party loyalists/voters and most DUers do not even want single payer, universal healthcare.

The only real distinction btw the Dems and GOP is a handful of relatively minor wedge issues: gay rights, the environment, abortion rights, affirmative action, etc.

True national tax-funded healthcare is not on the agenda because the estabalishment does not want it on the agenda, and so therefore the majority of AMericans do not want it on the agenda. If the teevee tells them it is important, then they think it is important.

[papau]

3. Harry and Louise anti Gov Health care was focus grouped by Insurance

companies at the same time we were telling Clinton that if he did not go single payer but went with a HMO approach where the insurance companies could own the HMO's we would not oppose Hilliary Care,

I believe Hillary was pushing for single payer.

But our focus groups showed us how powerfull the "gov tells you what you can do" story line is in killing single payer.

Now, after HMO's telling you what you can do for 12 years - I do not think that story line still has legs.

The time for single payer has arrived - but I can wait until after Kerry is elected to get the push going!