MEDICARE: Facts You Need To Know
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a Federal program that pays for health care for about 40 million seniors (age 65 and up) and 8 million disabled Americans. Most enrollees simply go to a doctor or hospital to get treatment, and then the government reimburses that provider. Medicare is paid for by a combination of payroll taxes, premiums paid by enrollees, and borrowing from the government.
How much does Medicare cost?
About $516 billion was spent providing Medicare benefits in 2010, and the program is projected to grow 7% each year for the next 10 years.
THE FACTS: Common questions in the current Medicare debate.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
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What is the Republican plan
for Medicare?
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Within The Path To Prosperity (also known as Rep. Paul Ryan's budget proposal), Republicans propose to:
(1) repeal Obamacare in order to prevent rationing of Medicare,
(2) preserve the current Medicare program for those age 55 and older,
(3) control Medicare costs by providing future retirees with a list of health care plans to choose from and a premium support payment based on their level of income--in other words, lower-income seniors with greater health risks recieve more premium support than wealthier seniors.
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Do Republicans want to "end Medicare as we know it" or take it away from current enrolles?
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This charge is completely false. Under the Republican plan, Medicare will not change for anyone aged 55 or older. Therefore, those in or near retirement will experience absolutely no change.
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Do Republicans shift more costs to seniors?
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No. Future retirees will have a Medicare program that utilizes choice and competition.to increase quality and lower costs. They will pick a plan from the list of Medicare-approved guaranteed coverage options. Seniors and disabled will choose a plan the best meets their individual needs.
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| Is it true that seniors will pay an extra $6,400 for their Medicare under the Republican plan?
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No. Those making this claim are using an inaccurate analysis that fails to include the extra $7,800 the Republican plan provides to lower-income seniors.
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Why does President Obama call the Republican plan a "voucher system" ?
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This is a false suggestion. The Republican plan has nothing to do with "vouchers." Under our plan, future retirees will not receive a voucher, and will not go shopping for a plan in the private insurance market.
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Why does Medicare need to be changed at all?
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The Congressional Budget Office estimates that Medicare will be bankrupt in 9 years. If there are no reforms for future generations, the only way to pay for Medicare will be a devastating formula of increased costs and/or taxes, and lower quality care.
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What does Obamacare do to Medicare?
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In order to pay for President Obama's $2.6 trillion health care law, Medicare has been stripped of $468 billion in funds. To further save costs, Obamacare empowers a board of unelected bureaucrats to decide what treatments Medicare will cover. Many refer to this as rationing health care.
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Want to learn more?
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Congressman Paul Ryan, the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provides a five minute crash course on the Republican plan to save Medicare here: http://youtu.be/DJIC7kEq6kw
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