Medi "Don't" Care; Medi "Can't Get Paid"
President Bush is beginning to revamp Medicare and Medicaid and it looks to be the
most radical approach since the programs were created almost 40 years ago. Usually
one to brag and boast about his new endeavors, Bush has kept a low profile on this one.
Perhaps because he realizes how unpopular it will be.
Bush's original plan was to force all seniors into managed health care.
When this plan was leaked to the press, even Republicans expressed their displeasure with his plan.
The administration quietly retreated and hoped the new plan would stay under the radar.
No such luck.
The administration is justifying tax cuts by slicing federal services across the board
and placing the burden upon the states. Bush is trying to convince the governors
that his idea will give them the freedom to distribute the money as they see fit.
Unfortunately, the Bush administration has a history of not holding up their end of the bargain,
and just as the governors saw with Bush's "Leave No Child Behind" program,
the states may never see the money promised to them by Bush.
Bush would like the elderly to rely more on private health plans and in order for them to pay
for it he wants them to invest their Social Security taxes in the stock market.
That means less security, limited benefits, and shouldering a huge financial risk.
When the stock market plummets from a bad economy or individuals receive
bad investment advice, or heaven forbid the company they invest in should lie
about their profits (gasp), who is going to help them then?
Bush isn't offering solutions; he's offering a shift of blame.
Regardless of whether our nation's elderly come knocking on the door of their governor,
or the door to the White House, they deserve decent and affordable health care and we should give
it to them. America is one of the wealthiest countries on this planet, and yet we have a president
who does not want to continue providing health care for seniors and the poor, much less
provide universal health care for all Americans.
thedailyenron.com |
