Paul Kusuda’s column
Growing older has its drawbacks, but Medicare reduces them
Growing older has its drawbacks, but Medicare reduces them
Part 2 of 2
By Paul H. Kusuda
Last month, I wrote about growing older to the point of getting into the GOLDEN YEARS. All of
that period of life is not GOLDEN, but parts of it is—those who are fortunate to have good health,
reduced financial worries, family love, friendly extended family members, many friends and
acquaintances, and even grandchildren and great grandchildren. My wife Atsuko and I are
fortunate to have three children, each of whom is married and doing well. We have five
grandchildren, and all are doing very well. The oldest is a college graduate and the youngest
recently graduated middle school. We’re proud of each of them.
Both Atsuko and I are in reasonably good health because of the medical attention we’ve had in
terms of prevention, palliation, and treatment. We can afford medical and pharmaceutical
By Paul H. Kusuda
Last month, I wrote about growing older to the point of getting into the GOLDEN YEARS. All of
that period of life is not GOLDEN, but parts of it is—those who are fortunate to have good health,
reduced financial worries, family love, friendly extended family members, many friends and
acquaintances, and even grandchildren and great grandchildren. My wife Atsuko and I are
fortunate to have three children, each of whom is married and doing well. We have five
grandchildren, and all are doing very well. The oldest is a college graduate and the youngest
recently graduated middle school. We’re proud of each of them.
Both Atsuko and I are in reasonably good health because of the medical attention we’ve had in
terms of prevention, palliation, and treatment. We can afford medical and pharmaceutical
costs because of Medicare and our supplemental health insurance policies. Medicare is an essential component of life,
liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Of course, other factors are present, but without Medicare, the blend would not be
possible. Also, of course, I have long supported Medicare as a necessary social insurance. One has to be in the category
of GOLDEN YEARS to be eligible, and I feel badly for those who do not qualify or who for some reason opted not to be
covered.
As I noted in my article last month, a comprehensive universal health care plan on a nationwide basis similar to those
available in other countries would greatly reduce financial worries about maintaining health and well being. My focus this
month, however, is on Medicare.
Many grassroots organizations, both nation- and state-wide, are actively determined to keep Medicare operating as a social
insurance program. They provide factual information about the program and help voters contact their legislators to express
their interest in the benefits and concern about future directions being taken to make changes that will have negative impact
on current and future participants. Among them are the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare,
Alliance for Retired Americans (Wisconsin has a statewide chapter), National Council on Aging, Coalition of Wisconsin
Aging Groups, Wisconsin Aging Network, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, and possibly AARP (“possibly”
because some actions at the national level has led some activists to think that its grassroots roots have been left behind).
Other advocacy groups are becoming increasingly active in making their concerns known to the general public and
legislators.
The number of persons 65 years of age and older is increasing rapidly, not only in terms of total number but also as a
proportion of the total population. In 2009 that population was estimated to be 39.6 million in the U.S. By 2050, the estimate
is 88.5 million. Also, for 2010, an estimate was made that there were 22 persons 65 or older to 100 working people (ages
20 through 64); by 2030 the number was estimated to increase from 22 to 35. Our population is definitely aging—and how
the U.S. will deal with its impact on its people will have to be planned for immediately. The issues involve welfare, and
obviously, their pursuit of happiness. They must be dealt with on a non-partisan basis despite the fact that the arena, of
necessity, is political and therefore subject to considerable posturing.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed last year, is often maligned as Obamacare and as a step toward
socialism, a national budget-buster. Much misinformation has been trumpeted to discredit the President’s interest in
continuing the best parts of Medicare and dealing with its worse. Because of current economic conditions and our nation’s
fiscal deficit, health care for all will be in constant jeopardy.
According to the National Council on Aging and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the
Affordable Care Act will not cut basic Medicare benefits for those currently covered. It encourages preventive care aimed to
keep the elderly healthy; services such as for cancer and diabetes screening will be provided without cost-sharing.
Congressional Budget Office estimates show that growth in Medicare spending will slow down, thus reducing the budget
deficit; the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund will be extended nine more years, that is until 2026. Unfortunately, the
downside is that the law will slow payment increases to Medicare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home
health agencies, a prediction said to have agreement from “many providers.” Noted was the provision that the law will not
reduce payments to doctors; actually, payments to primary care doctors or general practitioners will be increased. That
would be in accord with the focus on prevention.
Currently, Medicare does not cover long-term care, so older adults must spend life savings to get the care they need and
then meet financial requirements of the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program after their own funds are depleted.
However, the Affordable Care Act will make it easier for lower-income persons on Medicaid to get long-term care at home
instead of in a nursing home by providing extra federal funds to states that provide in-home services. Beginning in 2014
through 2019, the law will increase protection for spouses of persons who receive Medicaid home care services such that
they will not be forced into poverty to enable an ill spouse to qualify for Medicaid home care.
Most younger persons who do not have Medicare will find that the law will improve health insurance coverage. Beginning
this year, small businesses will receive tax credits up to 35 percent of premiums thus making employee coverage more
affordable. Insurance companies are prohibited from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Also, all
young people up to age 26 may remain on their parents’ insurance policy. People cannot be dropped from coverage when
they get sick. Beginning in 2014, health care coverage will be extended to an estimated 32 million who currently do not have
coverage.
Health care goals cited by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare:
To slow the rising cost of health care.
To end pre-existing conditions clause.
To end lifetime caps on health insurance policies.
To extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.
To cover 30 million uninsured.
To improve benefits and lower cost.
liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Of course, other factors are present, but without Medicare, the blend would not be
possible. Also, of course, I have long supported Medicare as a necessary social insurance. One has to be in the category
of GOLDEN YEARS to be eligible, and I feel badly for those who do not qualify or who for some reason opted not to be
covered.
As I noted in my article last month, a comprehensive universal health care plan on a nationwide basis similar to those
available in other countries would greatly reduce financial worries about maintaining health and well being. My focus this
month, however, is on Medicare.
Many grassroots organizations, both nation- and state-wide, are actively determined to keep Medicare operating as a social
insurance program. They provide factual information about the program and help voters contact their legislators to express
their interest in the benefits and concern about future directions being taken to make changes that will have negative impact
on current and future participants. Among them are the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare,
Alliance for Retired Americans (Wisconsin has a statewide chapter), National Council on Aging, Coalition of Wisconsin
Aging Groups, Wisconsin Aging Network, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, and possibly AARP (“possibly”
because some actions at the national level has led some activists to think that its grassroots roots have been left behind).
Other advocacy groups are becoming increasingly active in making their concerns known to the general public and
legislators.
The number of persons 65 years of age and older is increasing rapidly, not only in terms of total number but also as a
proportion of the total population. In 2009 that population was estimated to be 39.6 million in the U.S. By 2050, the estimate
is 88.5 million. Also, for 2010, an estimate was made that there were 22 persons 65 or older to 100 working people (ages
20 through 64); by 2030 the number was estimated to increase from 22 to 35. Our population is definitely aging—and how
the U.S. will deal with its impact on its people will have to be planned for immediately. The issues involve welfare, and
obviously, their pursuit of happiness. They must be dealt with on a non-partisan basis despite the fact that the arena, of
necessity, is political and therefore subject to considerable posturing.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed last year, is often maligned as Obamacare and as a step toward
socialism, a national budget-buster. Much misinformation has been trumpeted to discredit the President’s interest in
continuing the best parts of Medicare and dealing with its worse. Because of current economic conditions and our nation’s
fiscal deficit, health care for all will be in constant jeopardy.
According to the National Council on Aging and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the
Affordable Care Act will not cut basic Medicare benefits for those currently covered. It encourages preventive care aimed to
keep the elderly healthy; services such as for cancer and diabetes screening will be provided without cost-sharing.
Congressional Budget Office estimates show that growth in Medicare spending will slow down, thus reducing the budget
deficit; the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund will be extended nine more years, that is until 2026. Unfortunately, the
downside is that the law will slow payment increases to Medicare providers, including hospitals, nursing homes, and home
health agencies, a prediction said to have agreement from “many providers.” Noted was the provision that the law will not
reduce payments to doctors; actually, payments to primary care doctors or general practitioners will be increased. That
would be in accord with the focus on prevention.
Currently, Medicare does not cover long-term care, so older adults must spend life savings to get the care they need and
then meet financial requirements of the Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program after their own funds are depleted.
However, the Affordable Care Act will make it easier for lower-income persons on Medicaid to get long-term care at home
instead of in a nursing home by providing extra federal funds to states that provide in-home services. Beginning in 2014
through 2019, the law will increase protection for spouses of persons who receive Medicaid home care services such that
they will not be forced into poverty to enable an ill spouse to qualify for Medicaid home care.
Most younger persons who do not have Medicare will find that the law will improve health insurance coverage. Beginning
this year, small businesses will receive tax credits up to 35 percent of premiums thus making employee coverage more
affordable. Insurance companies are prohibited from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Also, all
young people up to age 26 may remain on their parents’ insurance policy. People cannot be dropped from coverage when
they get sick. Beginning in 2014, health care coverage will be extended to an estimated 32 million who currently do not have
coverage.
Health care goals cited by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare:
To slow the rising cost of health care.
To end pre-existing conditions clause.
To end lifetime caps on health insurance policies.
To extend the life of the Medicare Trust Fund.
To cover 30 million uninsured.
To improve benefits and lower cost.
Additional information is available:
www.NCOA.org/StraightTalk
www.ncpssm.org
The entire issue is complicated because of a
variety of reasons, including politics,
economic conditions, and the fact that some
provisions began this year while others will
begin later, even three years from now. An
interesting provision is that all persons
currently on Medicare will have no reduction in
benefits. That, of course, reflects efforts to
reduce antagonism of the elderly (and voting)
populace. Despite all that, I have hopes that
our country’s residents will benefit from the
Act and that the benefits will eventually be
extended to all, regardless of age or
citizenship.
www.NCOA.org/StraightTalk
www.ncpssm.org
The entire issue is complicated because of a
variety of reasons, including politics,
economic conditions, and the fact that some
provisions began this year while others will
begin later, even three years from now. An
interesting provision is that all persons
currently on Medicare will have no reduction in
benefits. That, of course, reflects efforts to
reduce antagonism of the elderly (and voting)
populace. Despite all that, I have hopes that
our country’s residents will benefit from the
Act and that the benefits will eventually be
extended to all, regardless of age or
citizenship.