Perspective               

Medicare Reform

Health care costs are rising, but the federal government is planning to cut Medicare spending over the next several years. People on Medicare already spend nearly 20% of their incomes on health care costs Medicare doesn't pay for. Supplemental insurance and prescription drugs are becoming increasingly unaffordable. Programs to help protect people with low incomes are only helping half of the people they are intended to help. Either a growing number of people on Medicare will be forced to go without necessary care, or someone is going to have to pay.

Government initiatives currently fail to address the gaps in coverage and rising costs for people on Medicare. The government is cutting its payments to providers under Original Medicare and reducing its payments to HMOs as well.

Recent proposals to cut Medicare spending further include a premium support program that would shift more costs to seniors and the disabled. If you cannot afford to spend more money on health care, let your members of Congress know. And let your members of Congress know whether you're able to get the medications you need. Tell Congress that seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare need secure benefits that meet their health care needs, out-of-pocket costs that are affordable, and stable Medicare plans that they can count on.

_________________________________