Reply #19: Medicare is also an issue with the disabled because [View All]

[DemBones DemBones]

many are on it, regardless of age. If you are unable to work due to disability, you are eligible for Social Security Disability, which replaces your paycheck with a much smaller check, and after you've been receiving Disability benefits for a year or two (whichever the law is now), you are also eligible for Medicare (Medicaid if you're poor enough.)

Since anyone can become disabled at any time, and most don't have private disability insurance, everyone should care about what happens to Medicare and Social Security. Most of us are, I think, more aware that joblessness and homelessness "can happen to someone like me" than we are that disability "can happen to someone like me."

The fact is that anyone could become disabled tomorrow and consequently be relying on SS Disability and Medicare in a couple of years, so it's in everyone's self-interest to preserve and fund the programs. Being able to buy food and get medical care when you're no longer able to work are not just old folks' issues.