British National Health Care

[valkmc]

http://www.lcni5.com/cgi-bin/c2.cgi?076+article+Opinion+20090826151335076076003


JUST some reading about national health care that has some problems but seems to work.  This lady now resides in Florida and I can not find a reason for her to decive us about their system. The British have been our main allies and have supported most things we have asked. I like to hear both sides of a story when trying to make up my mind about an issue and have heard nothing but negative stories about national health care, most of them refering to Canada's system. Still don't trust our gov. to run a national health care and I am unsure of a solution.

 

[..]

It  really pisses me off when idiots state the NHS is FREE.

How can it be FREE !!!

Someone has to pay for all the associated services. Let's guess who. Doh!, the TAXPAYERS. Even the lazy M'F's on the dole pay into the system.

It's called National Insurance. EVERY employee and employer pays into the NHS fund.

The link quotes

"In the unfortunate instance that a patient is diagnosed with a dire disease, such as cancer, it often takes only a week or two for a patient to be seen by all the right specialists, complete all the required diagnostic tests and be ready for surgery or other interventions. "

THATS A bare faced F'in LIE. How do I know?

Step sister DIED because she didn't get to see a specialist in time. Forget 2 weeks she was trying for over 3 months.

Friend Boyo DIED because he couldn't get to see a specialist in time.

Half brother nearly died because it took him 6 MONTHS to get treatment for his throat cancer.

Please do your OWN research into what the UK NHS is like.

There are UK members of this forum. ASK THEM

The scrounging pathetic waste of space bastards called "Travellers" can walk into a Dr's office and jump to the head of the line. These so called travellers are the scum of the Euopean society and contribute nothing. Most deserve to be horse whipped.

[2tonevalk]

Well this was one of the instances i almost posted on.  Asking britman for his input.  But I erased it before hitting the post button.
Thanks for jumping in there Paul.

Ride safe
Robert

[BudMan]

I wish we could get Britman to stop sugar coating his responses so we could tell how he really feels. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well said, Britman. Thank you.

[junior]

but britman uses such suttle words but  i cant help it when i read his posts that he sounds like the guys from monty pythons flying circus and the spanish inquisition

[..]

but britman uses such suttle words but  i cant help it when i read his posts that he sounds like the guys from monty pythons flying circus and the spanish inquisition

Yep I get real subtle when my dander is up. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/get-your-dander-up.html

[JimL]

but britman uses such suttle words but  i cant help it when i read his posts that he sounds like the guys from monty pythons flying circus and the spanish inquisition

Yep I get real subtle when my dander is up. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/get-your-dander-up.html

Lets settle this controversial issue once and for all....does Britman sound like John Cleese, or Eric Idle??

Eric Idle:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/nudge_nudge2.wav

John Cleese:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/cheese.wav

or worse yet, an Englishman pretending to be an arrogant Frenchman:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/fart.wav

[junior]

jim only one worked it was the last one you posted

[Madmike]

Britman is exactly right.... social health care costs still have to be paid the same as any other social benefits.  Social care systems whether health, child care, family allowance etc. are all susceptible to people taking more than they contribute.  We have an example here with Mennonite families that travel between Canada and Mexico, they come here enough to get health care and Family allowance payments then go back to Mexico to live.  Abuse weakens the system by driving costs up.  

In Canada we have health care and it is controlled at the Provincial level - Federal money is contributed as long as the Provinces adhere to the policies set by the Federal Government.

In Alberta they have taken away the individual personal premiums (were about $125 per month for family coverage).  Other provinces still have premiums.  If I move to another Canadian Province I am covered for the first 3 months by the Province that I left and then I must pickup coverage in my new Province.  Indigenous peoples, immigrants and those on social assistance (welfare) receive subsidized benefits.

We are covered for most basic health problems.  Elective things are not usually covered.  Additional health care for dental, prescriptions and things like glasses or upgraded hospital rooms, ambulance etc. are sometimes provided by employers as part of a benefits program.  

My sister in law has had a string of health problems over the past 5 years.  her problems have included tumor in the upper thigh, chemotherapy and surgery, stroke, brain tumor, amputation of finger on left hand, removal of lower part of lung  etc., etc.

She lives in a major center and so has lots of resources near at hand.  She has received excellent care but says that you have to be your own advocate and keep asking questions and push for answers.  As an example she had a hard time getting answers out of her oncologist and so asked for a change and now is seeing a fellow that she can communicate with.  He has gotten her approved for a drug that is experimental and so is not covered by her drug program, the drug company is giving it to her on a compassionate basis - cost per shot is $2600 once a month.

Social health care is under great debate in Canada, the biggest issue seems to be whether they will allow private care outside the medical system.  Already, if you go to the clinic and book in under Workers Compensation you most likely will receive faster care than if you are injured on your own. The argument is that if you allow this it will promote a 2 tier health care system with different levels of care for the rich and poor.  There are private care facilities, MRI clinics etc. that are user pay.

To put it in perspective remember that the population of Canada is about the same as the population of California.  Typically 90% of Canadians live in the southern 10% of the land mass.  The demographics of our society are changing with the baby boomers and reduced birth rates. In addition we lose many qualified doctors and nurses to the US because of pay and climate.  In Northern BC and Alberta there are lots of South Africans and Eastern Europeans that practice medicine.  Most of them seem to head for the southern part of Canada after being here for a few years.

There are good and bad things about social health care the same as there are about private care.  

[..]

but britman uses such suttle words but  i cant help it when i read his posts that he sounds like the guys from monty pythons flying circus and the spanish inquisition

Yep I get real subtle when my dander is up. http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/get-your-dander-up.html

Lets settle this controversial issue once and for all....does Britman sound like John Cleese, or Eric Idle??

Eric Idle:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/nudge_nudge2.wav

John Cleese:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/cheese.wav

or worse yet, an Englishman pretending to be an arrogant Frenchman:
http://home.comcast.net/~jlambros/Misc/fart.wav

When I get going and am able to speak without having the flow interrupted I'm a cross between Cleese ala Fawlty Towers and Eddie Izzard.

[Puffs Daddy]

There is a reason that scientific analysis does not rely upon anecdotes such as those proclaimed in the stories above. Real analysis of health care systems consistently find that the US ranks below virtually all industrial countries in the provision of care and prevention of death. For example...

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN07651650

[JimL]

When I get going and am able to speak without having the flow interrupted I'm a cross between Cleese ala Fawlty Towers and Eddie Izzard.

Yes, I had forgotten about Fawlty Towers, I think I used to watch them on PBS years ago, very entertaining!  British humor seemed to always get in the way of my studies...especially Benny Hill (I get a chuckle just thinking about him).

[hubcapsc]

There is a reason that scientific analysis does not rely upon anecdotes such as those proclaimed in the stories above. Real analysis of health care systems consistently find that the US ranks below virtually all industrial countries in the provision of care and prevention of death. For example...

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN07651650

There's no argument that statistical analysis is scientific. The reuters story above shows that
statistical ranking and quality are two different things, though...

    "I wouldn't say it (the last-place ranking) is a condemnation, because I think health care in
     the U.S. is pretty good if you have access. But if you don't, I think that's the main problem,
     isn't it?"

-Mike

[Varmintmist]

There is a reason that scientific analysis does not rely upon anecdotes such as those proclaimed in the stories above. Real analysis of health care systems consistently find that the US ranks below virtually all industrial countries in the provision of care and prevention of death. For example...

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN07651650

Statistical analysis is anecdotes compiled.

To arrive at those statistics you have to measure with the same ruler. Everyone wants to argue Infant Mortality Rate. Problem is that not everyone counts the same. A preemee in some places that is less than 25 weeks from conception doesnt count, for them. We count those people.

[asfltdncr]

How does a gov't healthcare option turn into a US Gov't run British National Health Care?
What bearing does how the French,Brits,etc., feel about their healthcare system have on our outcomes?

[Varmintmist]

How does a gov't healthcare option turn into a US Gov't run British National Health Care?

Per HR 3200 if you change employers OR your plan changes, you are going on the govt option. I think it is page 16, you can look it up.

If your plan never changes, the govt option is the only option that A. does not have to make a profit B. Makes the rules for all the other "competitors" C. taps the taxpayers if they run it into the ground.

If you were a football team and the other team could change the rules at their whim, you were only allowed to use the same plays that were in your playbook from 5 seasons ago with the same players, and the other team could bring in as many ringers as they wanted whenever they wanted, how long would you stay competitive?

What bearing does how the French,Brits,etc., feel about their healthcare system have on our outcomes?

They have been there and done that. Their systems are the ones that this is being modeled after. If you never had peanut butter on a cheeseburger, would you ask someone who had tried it first or just take a big ole bite?

[2tonevalk]

How does a gov't healthcare option turn into a US Gov't run British National Health Care?
What bearing does how the French,Brits,etc., feel about their healthcare system have on our outcomes?

Here is the words of the man himself.  I dont care what he is saying now, this IS his agenda.  Along with Barney Franks, and the rest of the yahoos. 

SHOCK UNCOVERED: Obama IN HIS OWN WORDS saying His Health Care Plan will ELIMINATE private insurance	powered by Aeva

[Disco]

I just got this in an email.  Seems appropriate for the thread.

Now, let me get this straight ---

We're going to maybe have a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he does not understand it,

Passed by a Congress that has not read it but, exempts themselves from it,

Signed by a president who smokes (and who also has not read it),

With funding administered by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes,

Overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and

Financed by a country that is broke.

Hey, what could possibly go wrong?

Could it possibly be that someone in D.C. wants control over our lives?

[..]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5257973/A-E-waiting-times-hit-worst-record-figures-show.html


To add to this.

My niece works for a PRIVATE hospital in Leicester, England. It is ONE of SIXTEEN run by the same company. If the National Health Service is so wonderful why oh why is there a need for private hospitals.

Her company is NOT the only private hospital system in the UK.

Plus there are private health insurance companies in the UK.

The single payer pipe dream smokers in this country need to educate themselves and not rely on the lies of the politicians.

[The emperor has no clothes]

  9years resurrection?

[..]

9years resurrection?

Have the many problems with the UK's NHS faded away?

Is the call for a single payer system still being heard in the USA?

[Serk]

Have the many problems with the UK's NHS faded away?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jan/11/nhs-patients-dying-in-hospital-corridors-doctors-tell-theresa-may

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5257973/A-E-waiting-times-hit-worst-record-figures-show.html

[¿spoom]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5257973/A-E-waiting-times-hit-worst-record-figures-show.html


To add to this.

My niece works for a PRIVATE hospital in Leicester, England. It is ONE of SIXTEEN run by the same company. If the National Health Service is so wonderful why oh why is there a need for private hospitals.

Her company is NOT the only private hospital system in the UK.

Plus there are private health insurance companies in the UK.

The single payer pipe dream smokers in this country need to educate themselves and not rely on the lies of the politicians.

I'm guessing there are private hospitals because no matter what system we have for anything, people with lots of money will have better stuff because they can pay for it? Personally, I have no problem accepting that because to think otherwise would probably get me diagnosed with mental illness. I think the fight is/should be about what kind of system for the rest of us. The current US system is nothing to brag about, many employers are forced to provide health insurance but they get some tax kickbacks and unbelievably, those receiving health insurance don't have to pay taxes on it's value. Get a $5k/yr. company car and you get taxed on it as part of your income. Get a $15000+ yearly healthcare policy that you pay $200/month for and the $13k+ is a gift? Meanwhile, the lowest incomes get healthcare for free or insurance at a super subsidized cost, and the self-employed person making say, $40 on their own gets to pound sand. It's not anything I'd miss. I recently was talking with a friend across the pond near London (South Benfleet) and he'd read the same report and said this; xx that has been all over our news , although we do get a similar problem every year it’s just hit hard this year. One thing none of them will admit is the load millions of migrants have put on the healthcare system, plus the diseases many have brought with them. It’s not emergency surgery that’s cancelled , more things like hip replacement etc.
It’s just over a year ago I had my xx surgery , our insurance paid or I would have waited until probably May for the health service to do it. Even in the November they would have admitted me but no beds available . With the US current malpractice policies, you can be looking at the bill for a cat scan and prostrate exam if you come in with a metal sliver in your thumb. Can't be too careful, ya know. Many can and often will rack up more in medical bills during their last year on earth than they earned in their entire life, how do we reconcile that when under the current system, folks who have money for beer pay nothing towards healthcare. At least Canada has a consumption tax. Guy who buys a yacht pays more towards healthcare than the guy who buys a canoe. Just some random thoughts.

[Firefighter]

Sure don't want to argue, but I see government run health care as a possible way to control the masses. Look at world history and its there. Some people have good intentions but others don't. I think history shows that less government control and more free enterprise is how America became so great and in such a short time. History teaches people can achieve more and do great things when they are not held back with an autocratic or even choking government regulations.

[G-Man]

.......you have to be your own advocate and keep asking questions and push for answers.  

This is true everywhere.  I find myself getting involved in my parent's care 1400 miles away continuously.  Trying to get in-home care has become a nightmare for folks who paid into the system for a combined total of > 90 years. 

Think of all those people my parents took care of all of their working lives.  All of the taxes and programs they paid into, receiving nothing in return  during all those years.  Never gaming or living off of the system.  Not even taking unemployment insurance when entitled to it because of pride or embarrassment.  It saddens me how our elderly are treated. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Government-run health care in Canada has its problems, and sometimes those problems hit the news, but the majority of Canadians (I would guess the vast majority of us) prefer the system we have to the alternatives.  Just based on the description of the UK health system in the Daily Mail article Britman linked to, I suspect Canada does it better than the UK.  I have an Alberta Health Services app on my phone that gives ER wait times, and the four hospitals in Calgary, as I type, have wait times of between 30 minutes and 95 minutes, though I'm sure those times will lengthen later in the day and over the weekend.  About a year and a half ago a friend of mine was in a bad motorcycle crash, putting him in the ICU for a couple of weeks, followed by another 2 or 3 months recovering in the hospital.  He was well-cared-for the entire time, although I think it helped that his wife and daughter were advocating for him.

Yes, government funding means that we pay high taxes, but if Americans with health insurance were to think of their premiums as taxes, they might reconsider their "private is superior" opinions.

According to this Wikipedia page, in 2015 (the latest figures they list) Canadians paid US$4608 per person for health care, while Americans paid $9451.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Government-run health care in Canada has its problems, and sometimes those problems hit the news, but the majority of Canadians (I would guess the vast majority of us) prefer the system we have to the alternatives.  Just based on the description of the UK health system in the Daily Mail article Britman linked to, I suspect Canada does it better than the UK.  I have an Alberta Health Services app on my phone that gives ER wait times, and the four hospitals in Calgary, as I type, have wait times of between 30 minutes and 95 minutes, though I'm sure those times will lengthen later in the day and over the weekend.  About a year and a half ago a friend of mine was in a bad motorcycle crash, putting him in the ICU for a couple of weeks, followed by another 2 or 3 months recovering in the hospital.  He was well-cared-for the entire time, although I think it helped that his wife and daughter were advocating for him.

Yes, government funding means that we pay high taxes, but if Americans with health insurance were to think of their premiums as taxes, they might reconsider their "private is superior" opinions.

According to this Wikipedia page, in 2015 (the latest figures they list) Canadians paid US$4608 per person for health care, while Americans paid $9451.

Just to clarify, those numbers are “per capita”. Which means everyone in Canada gets healthcare at that price. Unfortunately we here in the U.S. spend that much per capita and don’t even cover many people.

[phideux]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5257973/A-E-waiting-times-hit-worst-record-figures-show.html


To add to this.

My niece works for a PRIVATE hospital in Leicester, England. It is ONE of SIXTEEN run by the same company. If the National Health Service is so wonderful why oh why is there a need for private hospitals.

Her company is NOT the only private hospital system in the UK.

Plus there are private health insurance companies in the UK.

The single payer pipe dream smokers in this country need to educate themselves and not rely on the lies of the politicians.

I'm guessing there are private hospitals because no matter what system we have for anything, people with lots of money will have better stuff because they can pay for it? Personally, I have no problem accepting that because to think otherwise would probably get me diagnosed with mental illness. I think the fight is/should be about what kind of system for the rest of us. The current US system is nothing to brag about, many employers are forced to provide health insurance but they get some tax kickbacks and unbelievably, those receiving health insurance don't have to pay taxes on it's value. Get a $5k/yr. company car and you get taxed on it as part of your income. Get a $15000+ yearly healthcare policy that you pay $200/month for and the $13k+ is a gift? Meanwhile, the lowest incomes get healthcare for free or insurance at a super subsidized cost, and the self-employed person making say, $40 on their own gets to pound sand. It's not anything I'd miss. I recently was talking with a friend across the pond near London (South Benfleet) and he'd read the same report and said this; xx that has been all over our news , although we do get a similar problem every year it’s just hit hard this year. One thing none of them will admit is the load millions of migrants have put on the healthcare system, plus the diseases many have brought with them. It’s not emergency surgery that’s cancelled , more things like hip replacement etc.
It’s just over a year ago I had my xx surgery , our insurance paid or I would have waited until probably May for the health service to do it. Even in the November they would have admitted me but no beds available . With the US current malpractice policies, you can be looking at the bill for a cat scan and prostrate exam if you come in with a metal sliver in your thumb. Can't be too careful, ya know. Many can and often will rack up more in medical bills during their last year on earth than they earned in their entire life, how do we reconcile that when under the current system, folks who have money for beer pay nothing towards healthcare. At least Canada has a consumption tax. Guy who buys a yacht pays more towards healthcare than the guy who buys a canoe. Just some random thoughts.

That is wrong, since the inception of Obamacare we now have to pay taxes on the employer contribution part of our healthcare, it counts as "income" now. Say my W-2 says i made 50,000. My employer put out 10,000 for my health care. My taxable income is now 60,000. Even though I only took home 28,000 for the year, I'm paying taxes on 60,000.

[rocketray]

medical savings accounts coupled w/high deductible insurance seem to be the viable private alternative..law is 15% 0f the U.S. economy..everywhere else it is 1%..kill all the lawyers and healthcare would be..paid for..just have the lawyers not be able to take cases on contingency and loser pays

[The emperor has no clothes]

medical savings accounts coupled w/high deductible insurance seem to be the viable private alternative..law is 15% 0f the U.S. economy..everywhere else it is 1%..kill all the lawyers and healthcare would be..paid for..just have the lawyers not be able to take cases on contingency and loser pays

or we could kill all the doctors who are working half a year and making millions.  I'm not surprised a doctor is against the possibility of being held accountable .

[baldo]

That is wrong, since the inception of Obamacare we now have to pay taxes on the employer contribution part of our healthcare, it counts as "income" now. Say my W-2 says i made 50,000. My employer put out 10,000 for my health care. My taxable income is now 60,000. Even though I only took home 28,000 for the year, I'm paying taxes on 60,000.

Not accurate. The cost is listed on the W-2, but not taxed as income....

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/employer-provided-health-coverage-informational-reporting-requirements-questions-and-answers

[solo1]

I am on Medicare. I pay &172/month premium on a Medicare Supplement plan, and I also pay a premium for Part D (prescriptions). My Social Security went up 2% for 2018 but all of the raise was eaten up by an increase in Part B Medicare.

I've had a lot of expenses for 2017 but between Medicare and the supplement plan my co pays weren't all that bad.  The prescription plan , Part D, is a crap shoot and takes a lawyer to figure out.

All in all, for me, I am satisfied with this setup except for the question of long term care if needed. That also is a crap shoot.

The biggest thing that gets me going like Paul (Britman) is the politicians and the fu**KED up media claiming that Social Security is an Entitlement.  BULL crap!  i paid into SS for over 45 years while the Arseholes in DC kept 'borrowing' from the SS account and stealing my money in the SS account.

[¿spoom]

Britman is exactly right.... social health care costs still have to be paid the same as any other social benefits.  Social care systems whether health, child care, family allowance etc. are all susceptible to people taking more than they contribute.  We have an example here with Mennonite families that travel between Canada and Mexico, they come here enough to get health care and Family allowance payments then go back to Mexico to live.  Abuse weakens the system by driving costs up.  

In Canada we have health care and it is controlled at the Provincial level - Federal money is contributed as long as the Provinces adhere to the policies set by the Federal Government.

In Alberta they have taken away the individual personal premiums (were about $125 per month for family coverage).  Other provinces still have premiums.  If I move to another Canadian Province I am covered for the first 3 months by the Province that I left and then I must pickup coverage in my new Province.  Indigenous peoples, immigrants and those on social assistance (welfare) receive subsidized benefits.

We are covered for most basic health problems.  Elective things are not usually covered.  Additional health care for dental, prescriptions and things like glasses or upgraded hospital rooms, ambulance etc. are sometimes provided by employers as part of a benefits program.  

My sister in law has had a string of health problems over the past 5 years.  her problems have included tumor in the upper thigh, chemotherapy and surgery, stroke, brain tumor, amputation of finger on left hand, removal of lower part of lung  etc., etc.

She lives in a major center and so has lots of resources near at hand.  She has received excellent care but says that you have to be your own advocate and keep asking questions and push for answers.  As an example she had a hard time getting answers out of her oncologist and so asked for a change and now is seeing a fellow that she can communicate with.  He has gotten her approved for a drug that is experimental and so is not covered by her drug program, the drug company is giving it to her on a compassionate basis - cost per shot is $2600 once a month.

Social health care is under great debate in Canada, the biggest issue seems to be whether they will allow private care outside the medical system.  Already, if you go to the clinic and book in under Workers Compensation you most likely will receive faster care than if you are injured on your own. The argument is that if you allow this it will promote a 2 tier health care system with different levels of care for the rich and poor.  There are private care facilities, MRI clinics etc. that are user pay.

To put it in perspective remember that the population of Canada is about the same as the population of California.  Typically 90% of Canadians live in the southern 10% of the land mass.  The demographics of our society are changing with the baby boomers and reduced birth rates. In addition we lose many qualified doctors and nurses to the US because of pay and climate.  In Northern BC and Alberta there are lots of South Africans and Eastern Europeans that practice medicine.  Most of them seem to head for the southern part of Canada after being here for a few years.

There are good and bad things about social health care the same as there are about private care.  

Great info, thanks. Your points are well taken about the political battles with a single-payer system. While many simply call me naïve when I say "at least I'd have a chance to vote out those who I felt, "didn't get it", I ask them, "What power do I have now?". My biggest reason to support a consumption tax is that it's a lot easier to lie, hide, or play games with one's income, it's far more difficult to hide one's consumption. I have repeatedly been asked by Canadian customers if I could write up an order for say, 50% of what they're actually going to pay me, and I have to decline. The short answer is there's no way I want to get in any potential trouble with ANY country over taxes, and with a $1000+ monthly health insurance premium there's a certain irony on the side.

[¿spoom]

medical savings accounts coupled w/high deductible insurance seem to be the viable private alternative..law is 15% 0f the U.S. economy..everywhere else it is 1%..kill all the lawyers and healthcare would be..paid for..just have the lawyers not be able to take cases on contingency and loser pays

Killing them seems a little extreme. If I'm being informed correctly regarding the UK system, they pretty much killed off ambulance chasing and gratuitous lawsuits by having the entity who loses the suit pay for both sides' legal costs.   

[¿spoom]

That is wrong, since the inception of Obamacare we now have to pay taxes on the employer contribution part of our healthcare, it counts as "income" now. Say my W-2 says i made 50,000. My employer put out 10,000 for my health care. My taxable income is now 60,000. Even though I only took home 28,000 for the year, I'm paying taxes on 60,000.


Are you sure? Please, please, please don't tke that wrong, there's no way I want to sound like I'm calling you a liar, I'm simply confused because I've read so much saying otherwise. Anyone please jump in and correct me, but I read the Obamacare legislation included a "Cadillac Tax" on super generous employer-provided health insurance and this was delayed a few years after the Dem supporting unions and others squealed like stuck pigs because they felt betrayed. I've read nothing about employer-provided plans being considered income now. A net of $28k from a gross of $60 seems off also. Thx.

[¿spoom]

I am on Medicare. I pay &172/month premium on a Medicare Supplement plan, and I also pay a premium for Part D (prescriptions). My Social Security went up 2% for 2018 but all of the raise was eaten up by an increase in Part B Medicare.

I've had a lot of expenses for 2017 but between Medicare and the supplement plan my co pays weren't all that bad.  The prescription plan , Part D, is a crap shoot and takes a lawyer to figure out.

All in all, for me, I am satisfied with this setup except for the question of long term care if needed. That also is a crap shoot.

The biggest thing that gets me going like Paul (Britman) is the politicians and the fu**KED up media claiming that Social Security is an Entitlement.  BULL crap!  i paid into SS for over 45 years while the Arseholes in DC kept 'borrowing' from the SS account and stealing my money in the SS account.

Agreed regarding the SS raise vs medicare going up. I had to tape my mouth sut on another board when some retired folks who's friendship I enjoy started going on & on about "the raise getting eaten up" etc. because I wanted to scream, "what on earth ever led you to believe your medical bills would go down (or even stay the same) while the rest of the country's keep going up. Regarding SS, that's a tough one, because the fine print is endless, the numbers don't work, and it's structured like an insurance policy, not an annuity, even though it's mandatory. If I were in my 20's there's no way I'd start a 401k or anything else that took any control of my money, or even recorded it. Why? More and more whispers of "means testing" for SS. Those who put in the least towards SS already get the highest % of return, and so many benefits having been added since the original concept, that I do see successful folks getting left with little or no benefits. Since SS is insurance, older folks with a big nest egg will be deemed as, "not needing a financial insurance check because they didn't have a financial accident".

[C908]

All I know is our health care system sucks, we have been forced to take Ambetter through the market place. Our deductible is $6800.00 for each one of us. The worst part is we must go to an in network doctor or Ambetter pays ZERO. The problem is there are practically no in network doctors in our area. The Ambetter plan is designed to fail so they do not have to pay claims. I made a complaint with the State Insurance Commissioners Office but nobody seems to care. I'm sure they have a good health care plan so they are not concerned.   

[Varmintmist]

The biggest thing that gets me going like Paul (Britman) is the politicians and the fu**KED up media claiming that Social Security is an Entitlement.  BULL crap!  i paid into SS for over 45 years while the Arseholes in DC kept 'borrowing' from the SS account and stealing my money in the SS account.

SS is a intergenerational transfer of wealth. Recipients get on more than they pay in including the compound interest on what they put in. It is a entitlement program. To get what you paid in, you would have to decrease the payment by at least a third on average.