Posted on 25 February 2010
Bad news for millions of seniors who have Medicare. News is emerging that sharp premium increases are in the works this year – as high as 14.2% – showing that even those who are insured are facing out of control heathcare costs.
It was revealed on Friday that on average, premiums for Medicare Advantage plans offering medical and prescription drug coverage jumped 14.2 percent on average in 2010. With almost 8.5 million on these plans, the higher Medicare Advantage premiums are focing many seniors to seek alternatives.
At a town hall meeting Friday, President Obama said the Medicare Advantage plans are getting a “sweet deal” from the government, overpayments averaging 13 percent.
“All we’ve been saying is let’s make sure that there’s a competitive bidding process and that we are getting the absolute best bargain,” Obama said.
Posted on 29 October 2009
House Democrats unveiled the new health care bill today. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that the $894 bill will provide “universal quality affordable health care for all Americans.”
In a written statement, President Obama said, “As I’ve said throughout this process, a public option that competes with private insurers is the best way to ensure choice and competition that are so badly needed in today’s market. And the House bill clearly meets two of the fundamental criteria I have set out: it is fully paid for and will reduce the deficit in the long term.”
This is a “historic moment for our nation and our families,” said Pelosi, speaking on the steps at the West Front of the Capitol building. “The drive for health care reform is moving forward.”
The bill, while not adding additional debt to the deficit, would insure 36 million more Americans in the next 10 years. Pelosi said that this bill would cover 96 percent of all Americans. That is more than the Senate bill currently being negotiated, which would cover an estimated 29 million additional people.
