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The Spectacle Blog
Today Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jim DeMint (R-SC), and Mike Lee (R-UT) unveiled a plan that would essentially enroll seniors on Medicare in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). Under FEHBP in 2010, federal employees could choose from about 250 participating medical plans, including 20 nationwide plans. The senators argue that their approach would save $1 trillion over ten years and also reduced Medicare’s unfunded liabilities by $16 trillion.
“As a doctor, I have had firsthand experience with the vast problems facing health care in the United States,” Paul said, according to a statement. “Medicare, as we know it, is broken and in desperate need of reform.” “Allowing Medicare recipients to enroll in the FEHBP is a win for both seniors and the taxpayer,” Lee concurred. “The FEHBP fosters competition among its hundreds of individual plans, provides better benefits for enrollees, and offers much wider choice and flexibility to participants.”
“Our goal is to save Medicare from bankruptcy and ensure seniors have affordable, high-quality health care - a crisis President Obama has only made worse during his time in office,” Graham said. DeMint, his fellow South Carolinian, said, “Doing nothing is not an option.”
The enrollment would begin in 2014. The eligibility age would also be gradually raised to 70 over the next twenty years.
View all comments (12) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by W. James Antle, III
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/03/15/seniors-and-congressmen-on-the
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RJ| 3.15.12 @ 11:02PM
I like the concept of government employees having the same health insurance options as the public. We should extend the concept to retirement benefits as well. The private market is now almost exclusively operating with "defined benefit" plans, such as 401Ks. This should be extended to the public sector for two reasons. First, the public sector should reflect the private sector. Second, and more importantly, it eliminates the problem of politicians getting contributions and support today for commitments that go on for decades. It was this second factor that has caused great pain in California when Governor Grey "Pay-to-Play" Davis spiked public employee pensions during the Tech bubble for campaign support. Our governments have promised more than they can deliver. We need to reduce their ability to overpromise.
JimH| 3.16.12 @ 8:01AM
This concept can be extended further. Congress itself should have to endure anything it imposes on the people. In that light, the ‘pink slime’ now served as meat in school cafeterias needs to be added to the menu of the Congressional cafeteria.
RJ| 3.16.12 @ 12:12PM
Good idea, Jim. I am all for it. Laws should apply equally to citizens, including government officials; no bias, discrimination or favoritism.
adolfosjones | 3.16.12 @ 7:38AM
I believe this is correct. I also believe this is the kind of plan that we are likley to end up with, though somewhat less generous as it will be forced on us by our creditors who won't give a hair about healthcare for seniors and the needy. Read "Penny Health" articles if you dont have insurance.
martin j smith| 3.16.12 @ 8:27AM
Yes we should all be equal--get the same health care and congress, the same pay as congress the free travel as congress the same insider trading ;rights as congress and the same toilet paper too. I think we should call for total equality with Congress ina ll aspects dof life along with the Same that the Obama's get. Steak here I come.
Purple Lips| 3.16.12 @ 10:14AM
I wonder if Congress's goldplated health plan includes rubber balls and liquour.
Bob K.| 3.16.12 @ 11:40AM
I don't think that this plan has a Snowball's chance in Mali of coming to a vote.
martin j smith| 3.16.12 @ 12:11PM
Some are missing a point. Its about throwing the "fairness" or "equal " idea back at the Socialists and the Republican Leadershit Elite as well.
Mark Twain| 3.16.12 @ 12:59PM
This is a confusing article. Is the author saying that ALL seniors have the choice or just those seniors who worked for the federal government. If its all seniors and I have a choice better than Medicare then I will take it.
Caped Crusader| 3.16.12 @ 4:35PM
As usual, BEWARE, there is a snake in the grass with this plan, as with all federal "help". I am 78 and was covered by the federal plan and while employed the government paid 80% of the premium. If they will still do this, it is a good deal. I believe for Congress they pay it entirely for a lifetime. But once you leave employment you are responsible for the full amount, which would be well over $15,000. How many seniors can afford this? As usual they will subsidize the "poor", leaving those who have planned well to pay the entire premium. I use The FEHB to buy my partB coverage, covering 20% of the Medicare "allowable" charges not covered by Medicare. For my wife and myself it costs over $500/month, in addition to the charges Medicare deducts from Social Security for medical care. I will bet there is no way in hell the seniors will wind up with anything close to the Congress perks
PattyMor| 3.17.12 @ 8:41AM
There are no free lunches, because the past due bills are coming due and must be paid. Everyone is going to do their part and if they means seniors (in good health) stay in the work force, then it will have to be so. If you can;t afford the premiums, then you will have to keep working. Its that simple.
fiscal| 3.18.12 @ 9:49AM
This is an absolutely dumb political move because all the Dems have to do is tell seniors that Republicans want to take away their Medicare and have them pay more money -- which is true, by the way. This program saves money because it transfers the cost from the federal government to seniors. Administrative costs for Medicare are extremely low so do you really thing that doctors and hospitals will pick up the difference? Really?
The way you save on Medicare is by rationing care at the end of life. Half of all Medicare costs are in the last year of life. If someone wants to stay alive for a month or two by extraordinary means, then they should pay for it themselves and not ask all of us to do it.
If Republicans lose the senior vote, the game is over....