Jeb Bush Pushes To Phase Out Medicare

Jeb Bush Pushes To ‘Phase Out’ Medicare
By Steve Benen | MSNBC

"Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush appeared at a New Hampshire event last night [Wednesday, July 22, 2015] sponsored by the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity, and the former governor raised a few eyebrows with his comments on the future of Medicare... "They know, and I think a lot of people recognize that we need to make sure we fulfill the commitment to people that have already received the benefits, that are receiving the benefits. But that we need to figure out a way to phase out this program for others and move to a new system that allows them to have something – because they’re not going to have anything."

My Comments About The Article AboveFirst we need to take a look at the facts. According to the Social Security Administration, "The Trustees project that the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Fund will be depleted in 2030, the same year projected in last year’s report [2014]. At that time dedicated revenues will be sufficient to pay 86 percent of HI costs."

Therefore the phrase "they’re not going to have anything" isn't exactly factual. What we have here is a case of throwing out the car when it might only need new tires.

There are a few things that could happen. Private insurance could pick up the greater differences at that time or we could raise premiums and taxes slightly to offset this. In addition we could also allow Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical firms on lowering the cost of drugs. Something we don't do currently.

I'm willing to give Jeb the benefit of doubt. If he has a better plan I'm willing to listen.


Otherwise file this under the same ole same ole party line Republicans took against Medicare since it was first was enacted.