Medicare

Nearly since the birth of Social Security and Medicare, these two successful programs have been under constant attack. I remember so clearly in 2005 fighting against President Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security and gamble seniors’ benefits in the stock market. Imagine what would have happened if seniors’ benefits had been in the stock market during the 2008 financial crisis. Instead of learning from that experience, today our vital American programs are again under attack.

Dear Editor: Many of the people on Medicare will be severely hurt by the 17.5 percent hike in Medicare premiums. It used to be, "Shall I eat or buy medicines?" Now it will be, "Shall I drop out of Medicare altogether?" Call Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning. Tell them to roll back this horrendous increase and ask them about the billions that the Bush government has borrowed from Social Security. Tom Ellis Liberty

Bluegrass Area Development District will provide sign-ups and answers for seniors with Medicare Part D from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3 at Kentucky School for the Deaf, Argo McClure Building, Room 125, and the Boyle County Public Library. Call (859) 236-2070 for more information.

LANCASTER - Garrard County is accused in a federal lawsuit of defrauding the government of hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursement claims filed with Medicare. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Lexington on behalf of the federal government by the company that was under contract to run the county's hospital and nursing home. The suit, which was sealed until April 23, alleges that the county, Memorial Hospital and Long Term Care Facility conspired to file false claims with Medicare for "reimbursement claims they knew were exaggerated or not properly reimbursable at all. " It seeks unspecified damages for the government and "the maximum amount allowed" for the company, Rainmaker Financial, which filed the suit.

We are fortunate in the Sixth District to have a congressman who follows his conscience in supporting the interests of his constituents and responding to their concerns. I urge all residents of the district to cast their votes for Ben Chandler on Nov. 6. We have an opportunity this fall to increase Democratic representation in the House of Representatives and to oppose the takeover by Tea Party Republicans. A vote for Rep. Chandler is an important step in this process. Ben Chandler is a strong advocate for senior citizens, small businesses, military members and veterans.

Two years ago, my husband turned 65 and registered for Medicare. In November of the same year, he had hip surgery. After the surgery, we received a $61,000 doctors' bill. After contacting Medicare, I found they had made a mistake on the effective date. After weeks of pleading with Social Security to correct the error, I turned to our congressmen and senators. On Aug. 22, 2010, I wrote letters to representatives. Ben Chandler called on Aug. 24, asking how he could help. After sharing our situation, he promised to get it resolved.

Meetings Danville-Boyle County Planning & Zoning Commission - 9 a.m. Wednesday at City Hall. The agenda includes discussion of the subdivision regulations amendment for Sections 170 & 210. Flu shots Boyle County Health Department will give flu shots from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Danville Wal-Mart. The charge will be $20 and Medicaid, Medicare and some Humana plans will be accepted.

Dear Editor, According to the Centers for Disease Control, Kentucky and West Virginia have the highest proportion of people with heart disease in the nation. The prevalence of obesity, smoking and diabetes are the primary causes. Recognizing the need for heart rehabilitation, Regain Inc. was formed in Danville to meet the growing health care needs of the 135,000 residents of Boyle County and surrounding rural communities of Casey, Garrard, Lincoln, Mercer, Marion and Washington counties.

Dear Editor, I think many of Rand Paul’s ideas are too extreme and are unacceptable to most Kentuckians. Paul has stated that in order to qualify for full Social Security benefits, the retirement age must be raised from 67 to 70, and that Medicare benefits should come with a $2,000 deductible. This would place a heavy burden on our older citizens. For many Kentuckians, Social Security is their primary source of income, and they receive their health care through Medicare.

GOP Grinch wants to steal health care reform To the editor: Yes, Virginia, Republicans in your state, and in many other states, want to repeal the new health care bill. The GOP has also been trying to do the same with Medicare and Social Security since their inception. What have Republicans got against well-run government programs? Thanks to saner minds in the past, you’re still receiving your Social Security check every month and Medicare services. The rest of the industrialized world enjoys universal health care from birth to death.

I read this recently in a story posted on Yahoo.com: “Confronting bipartisan criticism, President Barack Obama conceded Saturday his proposed budget is not his 'ideal plan' but said it offers 'tough reforms' to the nation's benefit programs while closing loopholes for the wealthy ...”  Just think about it: If our austere president gets his way Medicare and Social Security will be cut - again. If that happens, the elderly could have their time cut short because they lack the ability to get proper medical care.

We are fortunate in the Sixth District to have a congressman who follows his conscience in supporting the interests of his constituents and responding to their concerns. I urge all residents of the district to cast their votes for Ben Chandler on Nov. 6. We have an opportunity this fall to increase Democratic representation in the House of Representatives and to oppose the takeover by Tea Party Republicans. A vote for Rep. Chandler is an important step in this process. Ben Chandler is a strong advocate for senior citizens, small businesses, military members and veterans.

Two years ago, my husband turned 65 and registered for Medicare. In November of the same year, he had hip surgery. After the surgery, we received a $61,000 doctors' bill. After contacting Medicare, I found they had made a mistake on the effective date. After weeks of pleading with Social Security to correct the error, I turned to our congressmen and senators. On Aug. 22, 2010, I wrote letters to representatives. Ben Chandler called on Aug. 24, asking how he could help. After sharing our situation, he promised to get it resolved.

A Medicare voucher system is an ill-conceived plan. That places the burden of rising health care costs on either the state or future retirees. The concept that competition among insurance providers will provide better coverage for less money is a joke.  If competition among insurance companies were the answer, then we would not even be having this discussion, because we would all be able to pay for our own health insurance. A true national health care program would cover every American citizen from conception to the grave.

I just don't think it's fair for senior citizens who live on budgeted incomes to have to pay these property taxes. Their income is meager, and thanks to Medicare and the Prescription D drug programs they are able to pay for their medications.  These people are our grandpas and grandmas, and why should they have to suffer for lack of income in their old age? There are other circumstances only they know about that are everyday struggles to them in their daily lives. Someday you and others will be old and elderly, and you will more fully understand the tribulations of old people.

Dear Editor, Promises made, promises kept - or not? It's time for an accounting of this administration's performance. Promise: TARP and the stimulus package would bring financial stability and growth. There's been NO proof two years later. Enough said.  Promise: Obamacare would protect Medicare funding. Based on a Government Accounting Office analysis - more than $700 billion will be redirected AWAY from the Medicare program. Enough said.  Promise: 2011 would be “the summer of recovery.” In actuality, our nation's economic “growth” is teetering perilously above a second recession.

The local AARP chapter is participating in a national campaign to give seniors a say in the future of Medicare and Social Security, and to take their say to Washington lawmakers. “You've Earned a Say” aims to take the debate about Medicare and Social Security from behind closed doors in Washington out into the open, according to AARP. The two programs have come under fire in the last year because of national budget debates. “We are tired of Congress telling the seniors what is good for the seniors,” said Don Rose, president of the local AARP chapter and eastern Kentucky chapter specialist.

In response to Roger Bowman's letter to the editor, I would be happy to turn down Social Security and Medicare. I believe Social Security, Medicare and the income tax are three of the biggest mistakes this country has ever made. If Obamacare is allowed to stand, it will be the fourth. Perhaps Mr. Bowman and the rest of the socialists out there are the ones who need to get educated about the founding of this nation and the meaning of the Constitution. The Founding Fathers feared nothing more than an all powerful central government and wrote the Constitution to protect us as individuals from the government.

With a national debt of more than $14.8 trillion that is increasing by a trillion and a half per year, each one of the nation’s official residents of more than 300 million is on the hook for some $49,000. The debt burden for individual taxpayers is actually much larger still as the debt share for those who don’t pay taxes must be shifted onto those who do.  In an attempt to tackle the long-term imbalance in the national budget, U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has issued a proposed “2012 Budget Resolution.” Under his plan, the Medicare entitlement would became a “voucher” system where each participant could purchase private health insurance.

I never really thought I’d see the day when Americans would choose to let government make decisions for them over their ability to choose for themselves. That is what we would be doing if we were to leave Medicare on the status quo trajectory instead of listening to Rep. Paul Ryan’s “Roadmap for America” plan. Let me be clear: Ryan’s plan doesn’t go far enough. For instance, it takes over two decades to actually balance the budget and start paying down the national debt.