Medicare

[baldo]

Alright, members that are on Medicare right now. How do you like it? Does it work for you? Are you happy with it?

Things, they might be a changin'.....

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/11/paul-ryan-says-medicare-privatization-is-on.html

[The emperor has no clothes]

I thought he gave up on that back when he got slapped down about it. This could get ugly.

[Serk]

Sounds like a good start to me.

I want out of the Social Security Ponzi scheme too while we're cleaning house.

[G-Man]

All the folks I know on Medicare carry a secondary coverage as well because medicare won't do it all.

My parents say they have to attend information seminars regularly in order to stay on top of it.  Many don't and it can be quite confusing for that community.

[Pete]

I managed to duplicate my private insurance by opting for part B and D and a really good supplement.
The supplement was so good it is no longer available except for folks that had it in force.
Seems the Gov thought it was so good it should be done away with (thanks to OBOOB and his minions).

But I spend almost as much as I did for private insurance before medicare. So the "investment" I made in medicare before retirement was another bad investment (thanks to Govt requiring it). What a joke.

If you do not have an excellent supplement, do the research and get one before 2019 when they kill the best supplement again.

[John Schmidt]

It has worked OK for my wife and I so far. In general, it pays 80% and my supplement picks up the other 20%. Since I've been on Medicare I've not had to pay any copays except for prescriptions which fall under my supplement. My prescription coverage within my supplemental insurance is better than Part D, and actually better than nearly all the other supplements available. An example of coverage....as many of you know, I had a major heart attack in 2012 and hospitalized for five weeks. I had bedside nurses for 24 hrs. a day for the first ten days, literally bedside according to my wife, and I had 14 different machines hooked up to me at one time. When all was said and done and all the bills were in, they exceeded $1.2 mil. Between Medicare and my supplement, AvMed, I paid ZERO out of pocket. Since the SS payout we both receive are an insult based on what an equal investment would have brought on the open market, at least the Medicare aspect makes up for some of it. If they're looking for ways to fund SS and the various Medicare offshoots, I suggest they put all the overpaid politicians on SS and Medicare instead of their freebies. Watch how fast the SS program is fixed then.

[art]

I love it. Been in the hospital several times and medicare plus my supplement paid for over 90% of my bills. when I was rushed to the emergency for my motorcycle accident I was billed $65 and my monthly premium is $25. I had a heart attack,gall bladder remover and was sick with a bad infection from bad well water all within 5 days. My bill was so low I don't even remember having to pay it. Meds that I'm not too sure about because I don't take too many luckily.

[0leman]

I opted out of Part B of MedCare.  I didn't like the idea that I had to pay for it in addition to my health care insurance.   I still have my Gov health insurance, can keep it till I die or decline it.  It pays more than MedCare part B and so far its working just fine.  AND I have a low deductibles and co-pays.

My Wife selected MedCare parts A/B when she turn 65 and is also on my Gov Health insurance.

Since we live in a small town, only 20K or so, some Doc's don't take MEdCare.  My insurance pays the lion share of the cost.   

And yes I paid a lot of money into MedCare and am still doing so. 

[baldo]

Holy defibrillator Batman......

Watch out fellas.....

http://theweek.com/articles/661571/hey-trump-voters-paul-ryan-already-coming-medicare

[hukmut]

CLEARLY a leftist/ liberal/ democrat article written only to rile up the coolade drinkers.

Can't you do any better?

We will wait.




Always, when you can, ride safe, y'all!

[baldo]

CLEARLY a leftist/ liberal/ democrat article written only to rile up the coolade drinkers.

Can't you do any better?

We will wait.




Always, when you can, ride safe, y'all!

How's this? He's been after this for years. You, of course, may choose to ignore these facts.

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/11/paul-ryan-says-medicare-privatization-is-on.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/11/14/paul-ryans-false-claim-that-because-of-obamacare-medicare-is-going-broke/

http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/paul-ryan-says-medicare-reform-is-back-on-the-table/article/2607206

There's plenty more, and this is just from today. There'll be lots more, better stuff in the days ahead....

[baldo]

Hot off the presses.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-price-hhs-obamacare_us_583d0444e4b06539a78a3d45?8b6hwwig4vl323xr

I hope this does not come to pass. This is what you voted in?

Did anyone give things like this a second thought?

Oh, that's right. Emails.

[Wizzard]

what a credible news source,, "Huffington post"  lmao

[Serk]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

[baldo]

what a credible news source,, "Huffington post"  lmao

It's being carried everywhere, this is a big story. I can provide other links if you'd like.

[baldo]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

[Serk]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

[baldo]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

Serk,

I understand where you're coming from, can understand your frustration. And maybe there should be that option if someone really felt they could do a better job preparing for their golden years. Personally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cutting coupons for Friskies before too long. A financial wizard, I am not.

Having said that, I don't want any WS scumbag or greedy insurance company CEO having ANYTHING at all to do with my SS and Medicare benefit. Not entitlement, benefit. Because those bastards would have absolutely no problem falling asleep every night with all your money stuffed into their mattresses.

[big d]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

I'm not Baldo. But I would answer for myself some of your questions.  The purpose of private enterprise is to make money, not provide healthcare . I along with many hard working people don't want corporations getting rich off of veterans, old people, poor people's health care.
 When articles from right wing news is posted why not the same indignation ?

[big d]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

I'm not Baldo. But I would answer for myself some of your questions.  The purpose of private enterprise is to make money, not provide healthcare . I along with many hard working people don't want corporations getting rich off of veterans, old people, poor people's health care.
 When articles from right wing news is posted why not the same indignation ?

I react equally. The problem is I don't always respond because I don't get on the site very much. Second privatization would be better than let's pass it before you read it. Would you sign a legal document before reading it. That is what passed bonehead care. Then he rewrote the law in delaying it for certain groups. If the government can do so much better than you in investing your money then send all of it and ask them to invest it for you, good luck.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

I'm not Baldo. But I would answer for myself some of your questions.  The purpose of private enterprise is to make money, not provide healthcare . I along with many hard working people don't want corporations getting rich off of veterans, old people, poor people's health care.
 When articles from right wing news is posted why not the same indignation ?

I react equally. The problem is I don't always respond because I don't get on the site very much. Second privatization would be better than let's pass it before you read it. Would you sign a legal document before reading it. That is what passed bonehead care. Then he rewrote the law in delaying it for certain groups. If the government can do so much better than you in investing your money then send all of it and ask them to invest it for you, good luck.

I'll be looking forward to your response to the next Breibart or Alex Jones link.  Medicare and Medicaid were around many years before Obamacare. Social Security was never meant to be an investment strategy. It was meant to keep millions of old people out of poverty.

[Serk]

I think I found one of the fundamental disconnects between us.

You leftists actually trust politicians and unelected bureaucrats more than profit motivated business people?

Wow...

Just wow...

[The emperor has no clothes]

I think I found one of the fundamental disconnects between us.

You leftists actually trust politicians and unelected bureaucrats more than profit motivated business people?

Wow...

Just wow...

Not always. But you might be on to something. When my or my families health hangs in the balance, I trust private enterprise to enlarge their profits.

[Pete]

The researcher that determined that liberalism is a mental disorder MUST be right.
Obviously liberalism affects constructive logical thought.

And as more proof just examine this thread and some of the links.

Burn liberalism as an idea stead of U.S. flags

[Wizzard]

A good example is the difference between UPS and USPS.
One is bankrupt and one is very very profitable. Guess which one the govt runs?

[The emperor has no clothes]

A good example is the difference between UPS and USPS.
One is bankrupt and one is very very profitable. Guess which one the govt runs?

Not quite so simple my friend. The USPS has been saddled with crap the private segment hasn't had to deal with.

[Wizzard]

A good example is the difference between UPS and USPS.
One is bankrupt and one is very very profitable. Guess which one the govt runs?

Not quite so simple my friend. The USPS has been saddled with crap the private segment hasn't had to deal with.

Why?

[The emperor has no clothes]

In regards to Medicare, I'm really curious what our conservative members think Trump is going to do with it ? The HHS nominee appears to support abolishing it. It didn't seem like Trump leaned that way.

[The emperor has no clothes]

A good example is the difference between UPS and USPS.
One is bankrupt and one is very very profitable. Guess which one the govt runs?

Not quite so simple my friend. The USPS has been saddled with crap the private segment hasn't had to deal with.

Why?

Partly do to being required to do things the private sector doesn't have to. Also, the USPS was put in place to provide a benefit to the country. Not so much to make money. There are many examples of things they were and are required to do. As an example. I once took a job many moons ago in a village named Kotzebue, AK. Everything is either barged in over the summer or flown in year round.  There were rules passed that made them have to fly our grocery stores food and supplies as postage. Everything was done thru normal warehousing and such, but the USPS had to pick up the tag for it. They would lose huge money on it and still may do. I haven't followed it over the decades.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/45018432
This is an example.

[Skinhead]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

I'm not Baldo. But I would answer for myself some of your questions.  The purpose of private enterprise is to make money, not provide healthcare . I along with many hard working people don't want corporations getting rich off of veterans, old people, poor people's health care.
 When articles from right wing news is posted why not the same indignation ?

What is the purpose of health insurance companies?  To provide you health care?  NO!  It is to make a profit for the health insurance company, or do they do it out of the kindness (right) of their hearts?   Bless their hearts, BTW.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Baldo, first you post all left wing newspaper articles to encite the majority on this board. Second what is so wrong with privatization of Medicare, Medicaid. When you want something done right you don't go to the government to fix it, they only make it worse and more expensive. As for social security it was fine until congress as a whole realized they had an untapped slush fund. Now it is bankrupt. If I invested my money I would have three to four times the amount of money the government says I am entitled to when I retire. As for the medi's what doctor wants to get paid pennies on the dollar for seeing a patient. That is why they are in trouble. Doctors are limiting the number of those patients. Why get $.70 on the dollar. This is a capitalistic society. I know you believe the government is there for you but that is not there job. And under the current Optus it is costing the tax payer more money because similar beliefs to you. I along with many hard working people want the government out of our lives.

I'm not Baldo. But I would answer for myself some of your questions.  The purpose of private enterprise is to make money, not provide healthcare . I along with many hard working people don't want corporations getting rich off of veterans, old people, poor people's health care.
 When articles from right wing news is posted why not the same indignation ?

What is the purpose of health insurance companies?  To provide you health care?  NO!  It is to make a profit for the health insurance company, or do they do it out of the kindness (right) of their hearts?   Bless their hearts, BTW.

Exactly 

[MP]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

Serk,

I understand where you're coming from, can understand your frustration. And maybe there should be that option if someone really felt they could do a better job preparing for their golden years. Personally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cutting coupons for Friskies before too long. A financial wizard, I am not.

Having said that, I don't want any WS scumbag or greedy insurance company CEO having ANYTHING at all to do with my SS and Medicare benefit. Not entitlement, benefit. Because those bastards would have absolutely no problem falling asleep every night with all your money stuffed into their mattresses.

But, you happily let some fat, lazy, corrupt government employee do the same.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

Serk,

I understand where you're coming from, can understand your frustration. And maybe there should be that option if someone really felt they could do a better job preparing for their golden years. Personally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cutting coupons for Friskies before too long. A financial wizard, I am not.

Having said that, I don't want any WS scumbag or greedy insurance company CEO having ANYTHING at all to do with my SS and Medicare benefit. Not entitlement, benefit. Because those bastards would have absolutely no problem falling asleep every night with all your money stuffed into their mattresses.

But, you happily let some fat, lazy, corrupt government employee do the same.

Why is it government employees are "fat, lazy, corrupt" and private sector employees are virtuous, thin, hard workers ?

[baldo]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

Serk,

I understand where you're coming from, can understand your frustration. And maybe there should be that option if someone really felt they could do a better job preparing for their golden years. Personally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cutting coupons for Friskies before too long. A financial wizard, I am not.

Having said that, I don't want any WS scumbag or greedy insurance company CEO having ANYTHING at all to do with my SS and Medicare benefit. Not entitlement, benefit. Because those bastards would have absolutely no problem falling asleep every night with all your money stuffed into their mattresses.

But, you happily let some fat, lazy, corrupt government employee do the same.

 

[gregk]

I'm kinda in with oleman. This medicare is crap so far. I have a good health plan like oleman and I'm not on social security yet so I have to pay part A up front and I have to pay 3 months in advance. I've had it since August and they don't pay crap! My part B which is my reg health plan is picking up the balance so right now I haven't had a bill but I have reached my catastrophic limit for the year. I'll have to see what goes on in 2016. I don't go to the VA because my wife is 5 years younger and l have to keep my insu. plan because of her.

[MP]

Um...

Repealing Obamacare, privatizing Medicare, etc, those aren't side effects of voting against crooked Hillary...

Those are some of the things I voted for Trump specifically because I WANT him to do them!

Can be privatize Social Security and give me the option to opt out of it entirely too please???

M

Are you serious? You're in favor of privatizing SS? Let Wall Street control the funds that we've all been paying into for all these decades? Remember when Bush tried it? Just before '06 wasn't it? Remember what was happening in '06-'08?

Same with Medicare. I've been paying into it for 40+ years, as have we all. I don't want insurance companies or corporations anywhere near it!!!!!!!

I'm 100% serious. I would be willing to forfeit all the Social Security money that's been stolen from me thus far if in exchange I were allowed to keep and invest on my own for the rest of my working life.

At my current age (mid 40's) I'm not planning my retirement around Social Security being there for me when I need it, in fact I'm planning on it not being there, so anything that could free up more resources for me now to invest, the better.

I hate Ponzi schemes, especially ones that I'm forced to participate in at the point of a gun.

Serk,

I understand where you're coming from, can understand your frustration. And maybe there should be that option if someone really felt they could do a better job preparing for their golden years. Personally, I'm pretty sure I'd be cutting coupons for Friskies before too long. A financial wizard, I am not.

Having said that, I don't want any WS scumbag or greedy insurance company CEO having ANYTHING at all to do with my SS and Medicare benefit. Not entitlement, benefit. Because those bastards would have absolutely no problem falling asleep every night with all your money stuffed into their mattresses.

But, you happily let some fat, lazy, corrupt government employee do the same.

Why is it government employees are "fat, lazy, corrupt" and private sector employees are virtuous, thin, hard workers ?

Guess I will have to proof read better. Can't seem to find where I said that.

[Crackerborn]

For those here that think FDR and Co were really helping the poor old folks that were running out of money please refer to the life expectancy of the average citizen when FICA (and Medicare) was passed in 1935. (I'll help, it was 61, so the payouts started at 65 years of age. I bet every insurance company wishes they could write policies like that.) The age requirements have not changed to reflect our current and future extended lifespan so now the checks really are in the mail unlike in 1935.  Calling FICA a Ponzi scheme may be a bit soft, it was a money grab by our elected officials that makes Jesse James, Bonnie and Clyde, Al Capone, Dillinger, et al, look pure as fresh snow.

[Patrick]

We're both on Medicare and SS.

I've mentioned SS several times in the past. Just my basic figuring says out checks should be substantially larger than they are. If my money guys productivity was the same as our governments, He would have been fired long ago. But, that said, the check shows up like clock work and I don't think one has bounced yet. Considering as long as we have paid into this program, we are entitled to it and not ashamed of it. I would have preferred to invest that money myself, but, was not offered that option.

As for Medicare. I also didn't have much choice in that. Since we are both on this program also I find it to work well. I haven't had to use it too much until just lately. It has worked fine so far. But, our supplemental insurance has also.

I'd like to study more about other countries, such as Germany, medical industry. Other countries appear to be light years ahead of us.