Intensive Medicare, Part Two

Oh, and, yeah, Clif, the other "concern" that I have about Medicare - it's a freeloader. Yeah, that's right, Clif. Medicare reimbursements to doctors have consistently (not to mention, progressively) been lower than those of private health insurance plans. And guess who pays for that, buddy? Yep, that's right, we all do (well, maybe not you, personally). It's been estimated that an average family pays an additional $1,788 a year for their health insurance - this, I'm saying, to pay for these additional costs. And now, with the 21.5% additional cuts that that Congress is proposing, some doctors are threatening not to accept Medicare period (much like they currently don't accept Medicaid). How the hell is that frigging good, bro?.....................................................................................A few additional facts. 1) According to the Community Oncology Alliance, current Medicare payments to community oncologists cover only 55% of the costs associated with the delivery of cancer care. 2) According to the Association of Physicians and Surgeons, it costs 27% more to process a Medicare claim than it does a claim for private insurance. 3) The 3% administrative cost of Medicare is a total mirage. This figure fails to account for such things as revenue collection, personnel, and enforcement. If in fact those things were included, the administrative costs would actually double. This, and it still wouldn't include such things as nursing hot-lines, decision support tools, etc. - things, I'm saying, that a private plan typically provides..........................................................................................And let us not forget, either, Clif, Medicare typically pays only about 50% of a senior's total health expenses. The average senior ends up having to pay for a supplemental anyway - private insurance! I mean, I don't know, Clif. Is this really the health care model that you, etc. want our entire country to follow? Me, I'm not so totally sure anymore.