Coalition wants subsidies for some private insurers ended (backdoor attempt to privatize Medicare)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/07/11/news/latest_news/b6e7c645ef7d791186257315007131dd.txt

Coalition wants subsidies for some private insurers ended
4:07 PM
By Dan Gearino
Lee Newspapers

DES MOINES n A coalition of Iowa groups is asking Congress to stop subsidizing private insurers that offer Medicare services.

Danny Homan, president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61, said Wednesday that the subsidies are a backdoor attempt to privatize Medicare.

"AFSCME fought the privatization of Social Security and we will fight the privatization of Medicare," he said.

At issue is the Medicare Advantage program, which allows Medicare recipients to get some services through private insurers. Opponents of the program say it weakens Medicare, while boosting corporate profits.

The U.S. Action Education Fund, an advocacy group that opposes Medicare Advantage, says about 20 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in some form of a private Medicare plan. The group says the plans are more expensive that regular Medicare in terms of premiums and the cost to taxpayers.

FULL story at link.

[papau]

1. It would save 10 to 12% of the current Medicare cost - per the Government - if we ended the ins opt

but of course folks that rarely use their coverage think they have a great deal with the ins - because the insurance company and its people told them they had a great deal.

Maybe with a Dem president this could happen - if the GOP in the Senate are reduced in number.