Simple solution: allow competition
I have been around for 72 years and still am actively working, paying taxes, Medicare and Social Security. When I reached age 65 I was given the option of taking Medicare or pay a much higher premium then I did when I was working. I also had been paying into Medicare since its inception and Social Security since I was 14 years old and had a work permit. If you are employed you know that you have no option and must pay into these mismanaged government programs.
Of course if you are a senior there is also close to $150 a month for the medical supplement and another $40 plus for the Part D, not to mention the cost of the drugs and other out-of-pocket expenses. Don't feel that the seniors are getting a free ride; I don't consider this entitlement; it is far from free, especially on a fixed income. The advantage is that I don't have to wait for some bureaucrat whose spouse chewed them out for something they did the night before to decide if I can have treatment or not. If the money that I put into both systems had been properly managed neither this country nor I would have a problem. An example is the money siphoned off Social Security and never paid back just to feed some politicians favorite pork programs. Recovering this money would add millions if not billions of dollars to the system.
As for the health care problem it has been in trouble for 25 years or more, what is the rush at this point to fix it? Why doesn't this group try to do it right and not just try to look good to get re-elected?
Federal law allows states to dictate who will or will not sell insurance within their borders. Change that to allow interstate competition between insurance companies and watch the costs drop. Free trade and competition, what a concept. Give this a try and if it works, then go mess up something else. If it doesn't try to tax it.
I don't want this ship of fools who include Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Reid, Polosi and Geither along with their captain and first officer screwing up the rest of my life.
Even if this group has no regard or respect for the Constitution maybe they should have someone read and explain the second paragraph second sentence of the Declaration of Independence to them. This may help them understand that their arrogance and self-serving ignorance could come back to eliminate their powers. The powers they have chosen to abuse.
Richard Straka
Gurnee