Commentaries
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December 17, 2009
Democratic leaders at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue continue to battle over whether a new government-run health plan, modeled after the popular Medicare program for seniors, must be included in health-reform legislation. President Barack Obama told a New Hampshire town-hall meeting last month that "if we're able to get something right like Medicare, then there should be a little more confidence that maybe the government can have a role." Did the government really get Medicare right? Here are the top 10 reasons this program should not be a model for reform, and why it would be dangerous for the federal government to be put in charge of any more of our health sector.
November 22, 2009
From now through the end of the year, seniors have a chance to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan, and those who already are enrolled can switch plans. With Congress debating many changes to the Medicare program, seniors should try to get the most out of this year's open-enrollment period.
November 5, 2009
Clearly something must be up with AARP. Why else would the nation's largest lobbying organization, sworn to protect the interests of senior citizens, watch silently as Congress plans to cut Medicare spending by $400 billion to pay for its health reform legislation? Could it be that the interests of seniors and AARP are not exactly aligned?
June 16, 2009
The health debate is now fo cused on the question of a "public option" -- with most Democrats insisting that any reform package must include a government-run health-insurance program that would compete with private insurers. It's a terrible idea. With access to taxpayer dollars, a public option could easily crowd out private competition by selling policies at artificially low prices.
November 14, 2008
The holiday season is here again. But amidst the hustle and bustle of gift-giving and family get-togethers, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D should carve out time to consider whether they want to stay with their current prescription drug plan. From Nov. 15 through the end of the year, Medicare is holding its annual "open enrollment" period for Part D. During this time, eligible seniors can sign-up or change plans. Seniors can compare their current coverage with others among the many competing Medicare drug plans. They can decide whether to stay with their current coverage or switch to another plan that may offer lower premiums or more coverage options.
September 18, 2008
When it comes to government spending and America's healthcare system, it's rare to hear good news. But according to a recent report, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit is costing significantly less than originally estimated. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which administers the Medicare program, the average monthly premium for the standard Medicare drug benefit will cost seniors $28 in 2009. That's 37 percent lower than the $44 a month legislators predicted when the program was created in 2003.
April 29, 2008
HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt gave a visionary but chilling speech about the looming threat that Medicare presents to taxpayers, to our economy, and to other government responsibilities during a major forum we co-sponsored in Washington on April 29 with the American Enterprise Institute and The Heritage Foundation.
January 22, 2008
November, 2007
The holidays are here again. That means it’s time for decorations, gifts, family, friends, and food. But during the celebrations, seniors enrolled in Medicare Part D should carve out some time to consider how their current prescription drug plan is working.
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