Radio Transmission: WomenMatter Dives Deep into Medicare

WomenMatter Facts and Trade-Offs is a nonpartisan radio show where we take one issue at a time and match what we do about it in our everyday lives to the FACTS of the bigger system we all live in and recognize that every idea for making it better has trade offs.

On the most recent edition, Dr. Nancy Bauer, CEO and Editor in Chief of WomenMatter hosted with Susan Sargent, health care consultant with 30 years of expertise in advising both providers and consumers, to talk about medicines for the elderly and the disabled. They focused on the dramatic changes the current administration has made to shift the system away from a government guarantee to the Republican philosophy of more individual responsibility and more private corporations.

Health care is every American’s chief concern. And the big change in health care has already happened - and most of us didn’t notice and weren’t told about the details two years ago when it happened. Now we are in the midst of a giant experiment and a huge shift in philosophy --- and we are told just to inform ourselves and choose.

WomenMatter Facts and Trade-offs says - we also need to know the political picture of what we had, why we had it, and when and why the changes were made. With these facts solidly in mind we will know how to judge this new system - and speak out to each other and to our representatives about whether it matches what we want for our citizens over 65. In 2005 there are 41 million. When boomers retire there will be 77 million of them.

What we had and why

Medicare and Medicaid passed at the same time, in 1965 when Lyndon Johnson was president. The new laws served a large voting block - seniors - who demanded help paying for health care. So, legislators created a plan that would pull seniors together to share risk and cost, much like an insurance plan. And so, Medicare and Medicaid were born, health care insurance plans for seniors, the mentally disabled, and the poor.

What changes were made and why

When government makes changes it does it with a majority vote and presidential agreement - all based on a philosophy of what is most important to them. And with Republicans winning in 2000 and 2002, they own enough votes in both houses of Congress and the presidency to pass any legislation they want.

Republicans want less government and more private businesses competing for services - and individuals to make their own decisions.

A new Medicare law was passed in 2003 in time for the Republicans to run for reelection in 2004 as the party that brings prescription medicine to the elderly. Nine Republicans voted against it and fourteen Democrats voted for it.

What is the new system for prescription medicines? What makes it a Republican program?

Republicans are using tax dollars to promote competition in the private sector and to encourage individuals to make their own decisions. Right now, private insurance companies are getting tax money to offer prescription drug plans to Medicare recipients, both the disabled and the elderly, but there are cost and coverage issues that each person needs to take into account. Recipients have three new responsibilities:

• For our own health. Know what medicines you take and why you need them, and how they work.
• For our health care plan. Does the plan cover your medicines? Would substitutes work the same way?
• For our representation. Recipients need to talk to their elected officials, tell them what you think, and vote.

What the experts say

Cheryl Matheis, Director of Social Impact for AARP, explained to WomenMatter that the current plan focuses on cost and choice to the exclusion of access and quality.

Republicans hope that the competition will drive down health care costs. Tax dollars are used to lessen the risk for insurance companies. The law also guarantees drug manufacturers that the government will not negotiate price controls.

Matheis emphasizes that when a political party has the votes, what others often do is go along, hoping that later they can change it. That is what AARP has done. The opposition preferred to use more tax dollars to add prescription medicines to Medicare - and leave the original entitlement for everyone in place.

WomenMatter also interviewed a doctor and a neighborhood pharmacist who contributed unique and interesting perspectives. Listen to the radio show to hear what they had to say.

Do you know what medicines you take and what they’re for? How much do they cost and how do they work? Would you care how much of our taxes the government spent if you could get the health care that you need and want?

What do you think?

WomenMatter is a place to discuss life issues with other women. We don’t want to wedge women apart, but rather bring them together to dialogue. To participate in our blog, click here.

WomenMatter is the place where we can take one issue at a time, match what we do about it every day of our lives to the facts of the bigger system that we all live in and recognize that every idea for making it better has tradeoffs.

To contact your representatives, click here.

WomenMatter is dedicated to empowering women to participate in the political process. To do this we have invested in the most in-depth NONPARTISAN information, because we trust each woman to make up her own mind.

• We track nine issues every week and update this website several times a week.
• We launch after school GirlsMatter Clubs in middle and high schools to grow the next generation of politically aware women through a full curriculum and startup kit on girlsmatter.com.
• We do continuous research to make sure that we are meeting the needs of women across the country of all ages, races, incomes, preferences, and religions.
• We provide partnerships with nonpartisan organizations that provide services to women and advocate for them.

We offer all our services free of charge without memberships or subscriptions. To help us maintain this work - not just in election years but as a continuing part of women’s lives - please make a tax deductible donation, click here.

Posted on: 12/12/2005