Means Testing Medicare Makes Medicare An Entitlement

[Yavin4]

Instead of a single payer insurance program for seniors. And, once it officially becomes an entitlement, then it becomes politically easier to get rid of it entirely.

[PeaceNikki]

1. It's an entitlement by definition of the word "entitlement" without changing a thing.

[Yavin4]

3. No, Right Now, It's An Insurance Program That We All Pay Into

An entitlement is a right to something. If you pay for something, it's not an entitlement. It's a contracted legal obligation to provide the service.

Means testing means that certain people would not get the insurance, but they'd stil have to pay for it. That means that certain members of the population would then get an entitlement instead of an insurance program.

[PeaceNikki]

4. An entitlement is "a right granted by law or contract

(especially a right to benefits)". It has nothing to do with who is funding the program. Social Security is, in fact, an entitlement.

Of course it's an entitlement. BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ENTITLEMENTS

[virgogal]

2. But at least guys like Donald Trump wouldn't get it.

[Yavin4]

5. And Doing That Makes Medicare Politically Vulnerable

When only some members of the population would get it, while others pay for it, then you create an entitlement, and that makes medicare politically vulnerable. It would quickly lose support, and it would eventually go away.

[virgogal]

10. Yep ! I was really trying to be funny but sometimes it just doesn't work.

[bluestateguy]

6. It already is an entitlement

but your point is well taken. Means testing may save a little money now, but then Medicare becomes just another welfare program for the poor (or at least that is how it will be perceived), and hence more subject to political attacks, just like food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, Head Start and LIHEAP.

Keep the government out of our Medicare!

[CountAllVotes]

8. makes me wonder how good is Medicare these days

Called this a.m. to try to get an appt. for my husband and they did not even bother to return the call.

Mega bucks going into this program and can't even get a call back? Shows how important people are on Medicare to the system (doesn't pay out enough is my thought).

:argh: :argh: :argh:

[NorthCarolina]

7. Makes sense

If they can achieve means testing, then there will be those that are forced (by law) to pay in to the system, but then ultimately do not receive any benefits for their contribution. Perhaps that "new feature" would be enough for the Supreme Court to declare the whole program unconstitutional. Problem solved through the courts, simple and BEST of all politically convenient.

[REP]

9. It's already means tested - I pay extra because of my husbans's income