Obama Assails Private Medicare Plans

[jefferson_dem]

Obama Assails Private Medicare Plans

(AP) Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama on Friday proposed cutting government subsidies to private insurance companies under Medicare by $150 billion over the next decade.

Campaigning for support in next winter's caucuses, Obama said the money could be used to strengthen the Medicare program overall, including a reduction in the prices seniors pay for prescription drug prices.

"We don't do that because we are not setting the agenda in Washington, insurance companies and drug companies are. That's what people want to turn the page on," the Illinois senator said to loud applause. "We want a system that's fair and sensible to everyone."

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In a written statement accompanying his appearance, Obama said, "we shouldn't be rewarding the insurance industry for deceiving and defrauding our seniors, we should be doing everything we can to stop them."

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http://kdka.com/health/health_story_132102112.html

[David Dunham]

1. Over 53,000 people in Iowa would lose some benefits under Obama's plan

Obama is going to be hit hard on this at some point. The article states that:

"Obama's campaign said more than 53,000 Iowans are enrolled in private plans under the so-called Medicare Advantage program.

They likely would face a reduction in coverage or an increase in out-of-pocket costs if the government cut its payments to the insurance companies.

Supporters of these programs nationally say they provide additional benefits, such as eyeglass coverage, and often offer better care than the government-run program."

Those more than 53,000 Iowans are unlikely to vote for Obama after he has now proposed to reduce their health care benefits. I bet there are many more voters in other states who will also be annoyed at Obama about this plan if other Democrats attack it later this year.

[Bullet1987]

2. David...

The article is not Obama's plan...it's a rough summary and I'll wait to see how Obama plans to deal with it myself before jumping to conclusions.