Wednesday, August 26, 2009

A Senior's Take On Medicare

As a seventy-one year old retiree I believe Medicare as we know it today should be phased out. The total that each individual has thus far contributed has been tracked by the social security administration. These funds with no allowed accrued interest should be considered vested at various rates based upon age. The government should issue zero coupon bonds which would mature at age 65 to all individuals who choose to have an MSA. Vested percentages would start at age 25 at 3% increasing proportionately to 75% by age 50. Those individuals over 50 at the time of inception of this plan would have the option to receive Medicare benefits at age 65 at today’s rate with no future cola allowances. Current recipients now receiving Medicare could be phase out as they reach room temperature.

The only feature under the current Medicare model that is worthwhile is the Advantage plans where by some insurance companies assume the contractual liability for workers Payroll taxes that have been incurred for Medicare since 1965. Current retirees on these plans should be allowed to redirect 80% of this premium (No Obama, it’s not a subsidy) to their own Health Savings Accounts. This feature alone could save $17 billion dollars a year.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Is Common Sense Dead

Yesterday, I finally got up the energy and determination to get my tri-annual check up with Dr O’Bama (he’s 1/8th Irish). The good doctor told me that I was grossly overweight, sluggish and immobile and a victim of that evil profit making fast food industry. His prognosis was either liposuction or a visit to his associate Dr Kervokian down the hall. I was not comfortable with his assessment and decided to get a second opinion. I decided to see Dr Du Quack whom my eccentric neighbor assured me he would look at more than my symptoms and get at the cause of my problem. Whoa, after a brief review of my background and daily routine he told me that if I followed a recommended diet and start an exercise program I could slowly regain my youthful physique. The cause of my health problems was my own overeating. Then he said that you did not just get in your condition overnight you’ll need to get back where you should be with a slow and methodical approach.

Signed’
Americus Commonie Sensical.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Simple Healthcare Bill

A Simple Health Care Bill

1) Quadruple Current Healthcare Contribution Limits for HSA's from $3000/$5950 to $12000/$24000 for self or family in addition to any employer contribution.
2) In addition to currently allowed coverage expenditures, allow for purchase of medical catastrophe insurance coverage. Minimum deductible equal to poverty limit.
3) Furthermore allow interest free loans or gifts from one HSA to any other HSA.
4) In recognition of current and future retirees prior funding of Medicare coverage, allow age 65 or orders individuals to receive 60% of the average monthly Advantage (Currently estimated at $700 per month) to be deposited in their respective HSA’s for electing out of government plan.
5) Provide HSA’s to families in the form of Health stamps for all lawful citizens whose annual income are less than 150% of poverty level.
6) Establish a Non-governmental organization (similar to Center for Health Transformation) with $10 Billion (decreasing to $1 Billion) for ten years for funding to set up standardization of medical records for mining purposes etc, but restricting access of individual records to patient and doctor only.