The Virginian-Pilot
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A coalition of national associations warned today that a federal funding formula will trigger a 21 percent cut in reimbursements to doctors in the Medicare and Tricare programs on March 1.
That, they said, will force doctors to drop out of the program and make it tougher for elderly and military beneficiaries to find health care.
Representatives of three organizations – AARP, the American Medical Association and the Military Officers Association of America – spoke in a video conference from five cities, including Norfolk.
Speaking at the Harbors Edge retirement home, retired Navy Capt. Kathy Beasley said: “The last thing our troops in combat should have to worry about is whether a sick spouse or child can find a doctor to treat them.” Beasley is deputy director of government relations for the officers association.
The participants urged Congress to quickly revise the funding system, which is now contingent on several factors, including the gross domestic product.
The issue is separate from, but related to, the health-care reform bill in Washington, said Dr. Nancy Nielsen, the immediate past president of the AMA. “People need the assurance that they can see a doctor of their choice,” said Nielsen, speaking from Washington.
The AMA and AARP remain committed to health reform legislation, their representatives said. The military officers association has not taken a position on the bill, but is advocating on issues related to its members, Beasley said.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h4KzRf2wzM&feature=player_embedd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3h4KzRf2wzM&feature=player_embedded
the old way
My father and myself were in the military. back then when we needed to see a doc we would go to little creek, and maybe get sent to portsmouth naval. there was no tricare. we may not have had the best medical care but it was good and effective, myself and my family are all still alive today. who's idea is it that one should be alowed to see any doctor they wish on the governments dim (or mine and your's)?
It was only time before the
It was only time before the democrates did this.
Medicare cuts
The 21% Medicare cuts have nothing to do with the Democrats. The number was set in the Bush administration and reflects a law passed (the Medicare Modernization act of 2004) which forces some budgetary restraint. Each year for the last five years Congress has refused to allow the cuts to go through but now the number has escalated to 21%. The government is trying to fund Medicare on the backs of the doctors and we (I'm a doctor) won't stand for it. DON'T BLAME OBAMACARE. IT IS YOUR SORT OF SCURRILOUS CHARACTER ASSASSINATION THAT HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO PASS MEANINGFUL HEALTH CARE REFORM.
Persons in the military EARNED thier medical
It was part of their incentive and pay. Medicare is part of the care we give our elderly. Be compassionate instead of so selfcentered, people.
funny
that didn't come from you when the uninsured working in this country were hoping for healthcare. Compassion? If cutting my taxes means military dependents and the elderly have to pay for their care so be it. I'm done with only some getting benefits. And if the military doesn't like it then they can get out and try to find it on the market like the rest of us.
And I say that as a veteran. Compassion? Hah. Only comes when who you care about starts to lose their bennies. Military medical should only cover active duty and those wounded in wartime actions. Let them buy insurance for their families like the rest of us.
get a job
Since the whole premise of not socializing medical care - and Medicare and Tricare are forms of socialized medicines --- and since the whole premise of those in opposition is that if you don't have good health care then its because you are not working hard enough in our capitalist-gone-wild world, then perhaps the military dependents and the elderly should get a job, or two.
Why shouldn't military spouses or dependents work? Get a job - or two. Hey kids, ever heard of a paper route or collecting bottles and cans to sell? There is your the money for your health care right there. Heck, and you could even promote family bonding by having everyone go together to sell plasma.
The elderly? They can do something to earn a living, even if it's stuffing envelopes. Prop them up at the door at Walmart - they can still say hello, right? Tuck some circulars under their arms.
The greedy, selfish insurance companies are going to make us all work from cradle to grave unless we reel them in. Doesn't seem like members of the Grand Old Fox Network Party wants anything that will stifle corporations from getting rich-rich-rich, so we might as well get use to it now.
You obviously haven't been in the minimum wage workplace lately
There are millions of people working at or close to minimum wag jobs that don't offer insurance or that don't pay enough for the employee to afford $1,000 or more for private insurance.
The average cost of a personal health plan in the United States is $1,300 a month. If you're employed and paying less than that, or if you're retired and paying less, it's because your employer or former employer is subsidizing your cost. Most people have no idea what the real cost of their healthcare is.
Not true
I have Anthem BS BC health insurance, and my premium is 200.00/month. I work two part-time jobs and my employers do not pay any portion of it. I do without many things that I would like to have in order to have health insurance. My priority is my health over a brand new car or having my nails done weekly.
That's just it....
Many military spouses have jobs. I have a job, or rather a career. And I work hard to educate the children, who on average, come from parents who would prefer to stay on public assistance rather than GET a job. My husband is military, and HE works hard to support and protect this country so that the idiot who sits on the throne in Washington, can wreak havoc on the hard-working masses. My grandfather retired as a colonel from the army. Having the benefit of health care coverage is the absolute LEAST the government can do to show its appreciation for the fact that my family is separated for 6 of every 18 months, and that our lives are put on hold for any potential threat to national security. Can we please just get rid of the donkeys in control??